# Staking & veGWEI

ETHGas utilizes a **Vote-Escrowed (ve) model** to align long-term incentives. This system ensures that those who commit to the future of the protocol have the greatest say in its direction.

By staking $GWEI, holders receive veGWEI (vote-escrowed GWEI). This action represents a long-term commitment to the ecosystem's stability. veGWEI holders are not just passive participants; they are the architects of the protocol, possessing the governance power to propose and vote on critical ecosystem parameters and treasury allocations.

As we transition to a Realtime Ethereum and a Gasless Future, veGWEI holders anchor the economy. They ensure the protocol remains aligned with its mission to elevate Ethereum for the next generation of DeFi.

<a href="https://ethgasfoundation.org/staking/" class="button primary">Stake $GWEI</a>

### The Staking Mechanism: How veGWEI Works

To participate in governance and earn yield, holders lock their $GWEI to receive veGWEI (Vote-Escrowed GWEI). This mechanism transforms you from a token holder into a protocol architect.

**1. Select Your Commitment**

You can lock your $GWEI for a duration of your choice, ranging from 1 week to 4 years.

* Note: veGWEI is non-transferable. It is tied to your wallet as a representation of your reputation and commitment.

**2. The Time-Weighted Multiplier**

The veGWEI utilizes a linear decay model where Time = Power.

* **The Multiplier:** A 4-year lock grants significantly more voting weight (and potential yield) than a 1-week lock.
* **The Logic:** This ensures that the loudest voices in governance belong to long-term guardians, not short-term speculators.

### Why Stake?

Staking is the operational engine of the ETHGas Foundation. By staking your tokens, you transition from a beneficiary to a builder, actively participating in:

* **Decentralized Stewardship:** You act as a guardian of the ecosystem, holding voting weight to approve protocol parameters and prevent malicious updates.
* **Protocol Calibration:** You signal priority for the Realtime Ethereum economy, ensuring the protocol evolves based on user consensus rather than centralized planning.
* **Aligned Incentives:** By committing your tokens to the vote-escrow contract, you align your long-term interests with the protocol. This commitment grants you enhanced Governance Power, allowing you to participate in the distribution of protocol emissions directed toward active participants.

Dive in the full staking FAQ [here](https://docs.ethgas.com/foundation/foundation-faq#staking).


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