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What is veNEAR

veNEAR (vote-escrowed NEAR) is a governance token that allows NEAR holders to participate in House of Stake governance through a stake-weighted, time-locked mechanism.

By locking NEAR, stNEAR, or liNEAR tokens, users receive veNEAR. The longer the lock duration, the greater the voting power received. This aligns incentives for long-term commitment and active participation.

veNEAR Flow

Key Characteristics

  • Non-transferable: veNEAR cannot be transferred or traded.
  • Time-weighted voting power: Voting power increases with the duration of the lock — no minimum or maximum period required.
  • Multi-asset support: Users can lock NEAR, stNEAR, or liNEAR to receive veNEAR.

Purpose of veNEAR

  • Aligning stakeholders over the long-term to influence the direction of NEAR governance.
  • Provide a clear and predictable incentive structure via reward distribution.
  • Encourage thoughtful participation and discourage manipulation.

Why It Matters

veNEAR creates strong alignment between governance power and economic commitment. Those who lock assets for longer periods gain more influence, encouraging responsible, engaged decision-making that supports the long-term health of the NEAR ecosystem.