How to Participate in PufferDAO Governance

🐡 The new vlPUFFER system

PufferDAO’s updated governance model is powered by vlPUFFER, an ERC-20 token representing locked $PUFFER with boosted voting power and rewards.

By locking your tokens for 30 days up to 24 months, you gain boosted voting power (up to 24×) and access to rewards through the $CARROT Incentives Program.

This new system connects governance and incentives in one place: you can vote on Puffer Improvement Proposals (PIPs) and direct $CARROT emissions to your favorite gauges, all directly from the app interface.

📚Learn more about how $CARROT and vlPUFFER work together in our full article: The Updated $CARROT Incentives Program is Here!

This tutorial will guide you through participating in PufferDAO governance and maximizing your involvement. Let’s get started. 👇

🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Join PufferDAO Governance

1️⃣ Stake and Lock $PUFFER

Go to the $PUFFER stake tabonhttps://app.puffer.fithe app.

- Choose how much $PUFFER you want to lock.
- Select your lock duration — up to 24 months for the maximum 24× boost.
- Confirm the transaction.

You’ll receive vlPUFFER, representing your locked tokens and voting power.

🧮 Example: Locking 100 $PUFFER for 24 months = 2400 vlPUFFER (24× boost on Voting Power)

2️⃣ Manage Your Lock or Delegate

Under the Manage tab, you can:

- Extend your lock duration to increase your multiplier.
- Delegate your voting power to another address (useful for DAOs, teams, or trusted representatives).

Your Voting Power (VP) = Locked $PUFFER × Multiplier.

3️⃣ Vote on Gauges for $CARROT Incentives

Go to the Gaugespage.

Use your vlPUFFER to decide how $CARROT rewards are distributed across different Puffer products and partner projects (like pufETH, vlPUFFER, UniFi Vaults, and DeFi integrations).

📸 Voting power snapshots are taken during each epoch — so make sure to vote before the deadline!

4️⃣ Vote on Puffer Improvement Proposals (PIPs)

Go to the Proposalspage to vote on open governance items using your vlPUFFER.

PufferDAO uses PIPs (Puffer Improvement Proposals)to decide on key upgrades, incentive structures, and ecosystem changes. Your votes shape the direction of the entire Puffer ecosystem!

🐡 Join the DAO, influence rewards, and help build the future of Ethereum-native infrastructure: https://app.puffer.fi/