Managing Gauges
This guide walks you through setting up and managing your veBTC gauge on Matchbox to attract veMEZO votes and maximize your boost.
Prerequisites
Section titled “Prerequisites”Before you begin, make sure you have:
- A connected wallet with veBTC position(s)
- Small amount of BTC for transaction fees
- Tokens for incentives (BTC, MEZO, or allowlisted tokens)
- Understanding of gauges and epochs
Don’t have veBTC yet? Visit Mezo Earn to lock BTC.
Quick Start
Section titled “Quick Start”- Connect your wallet
- Go to the veBTC page
- Select your veBTC position
- Create your gauge profile
- Add incentives to attract voters
- Monitor performance and adjust
Understanding Your Gauge
Section titled “Understanding Your Gauge”Every veBTC position is automatically associated with a gauge. On Matchbox, you can:
- Customize your gauge profile to attract voters
- Add incentives to encourage veMEZO holders to vote for you
- Monitor your gauge’s performance and boost level
- Transfer your profile if you manage multiple veBTC positions
Step-by-Step Guide
Section titled “Step-by-Step Guide”Step 1: Navigate to the veBTC Page
Section titled “Step 1: Navigate to the veBTC Page”From the Matchbox homepage or navigation bar, click veBTC (or “Manage Gauge”).
You’ll see the gauge management interface with:
- Position selector (top)
- Profile editor
- Incentive management
- Performance metrics
Step 2: Select Your veBTC Position
Section titled “Step 2: Select Your veBTC Position”If you have multiple veBTC NFTs:
- Browse the position carousel at the top
- Each card shows:
- Locked BTC amount
- Current voting power
- Boost multiplier
- Lock status and expiry
- Click to select the position you want to manage
Step 3: Create Your Gauge Profile
Section titled “Step 3: Create Your Gauge Profile”A compelling profile helps attract voters. Fill in:
Basic Information
Section titled “Basic Information”| Field | Purpose | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Display Name | Identifies your gauge | Make it memorable and brandable |
| Description | Explains your purpose | Be clear about what you’re building |
| Profile Picture | Visual identity | Use a logo or distinctive image |
Social Links
Section titled “Social Links”Connect your community channels:
- Twitter/X - Primary social presence
- Discord - Community engagement
- Telegram - Quick updates
- GitHub - Open source projects
- Website - Full information
Strategy Statements
Section titled “Strategy Statements”Help voters understand your approach:
- Incentive Strategy - How you plan to reward voters (e.g., “Consistent weekly incentives in BTC”)
- Voting Strategy - Your goals and why voters should support you
Add relevant categories:
- DeFi
- Infrastructure
- Gaming
- NFT
- DAO
- etc.
Step 4: Save Your Profile
Section titled “Step 4: Save Your Profile”- Review all entered information
- Click Save Profile or Update Profile
- Confirm the transaction (stores on-chain and in database)
- Your profile is now visible to voters
Step 5: Add Incentives
Section titled “Step 5: Add Incentives”Incentives (bribes) attract veMEZO voters to your gauge.
Selecting Incentive Token
Section titled “Selecting Incentive Token”- Click Add Incentive or similar button
- Choose your incentive token:
- BTC - Most familiar to voters
- MEZO - Native ecosystem token
- Other - Check the allowlist for approved tokens
Setting Incentive Amount
Section titled “Setting Incentive Amount”- Enter the amount you want to offer
- View the estimated USD value
- See the projected impact on your gauge’s APY
- Consider weekly vs. one-time amounts
Confirming the Incentive
Section titled “Confirming the Incentive”- Review the incentive details
- Approve token spending (if first time)
- Confirm the deposit transaction
- Incentive is now active on your gauge
Step 6: Monitor Performance
Section titled “Step 6: Monitor Performance”After setting up your gauge, track its performance:
Key Metrics
Section titled “Key Metrics”| Metric | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| veMEZO Weight | Total votes you’re receiving |
| Boost Multiplier | Your current boost level (1x-5x) |
| Optimal veMEZO | Target votes for max boost |
| Current APY | Voter returns on your gauge |
Gauge Detail Page
Section titled “Gauge Detail Page”Visit your gauge on the Gauges page to see:
- How you compare to other gauges
- Historical performance trends
- Vote distribution over time
- Incentive effectiveness
Incentive Strategies
Section titled “Incentive Strategies”Strategy 1: Consistent Weekly
Section titled “Strategy 1: Consistent Weekly”Offer the same incentive amount each epoch.
Pros:
- Builds voter trust and loyalty
- Predictable costs
- Attracts long-term voters
Example: “0.001 BTC every epoch”
Strategy 2: Competitive Matching
Section titled “Strategy 2: Competitive Matching”Match or exceed competing gauges’ incentives.
Pros:
- Stay competitive in the market
- Attract votes from other gauges
Cons:
- Can become expensive
- May lead to bidding wars
Strategy 3: Boost-Targeted
Section titled “Strategy 3: Boost-Targeted”Calculate the exact incentive needed to reach your target boost.
Pros:
- Cost-efficient
- Achieves specific goals
How:
- Check your current boost level
- Calculate votes needed for target boost
- Set incentive to attract that level of votes
Strategy 4: Launch Campaign
Section titled “Strategy 4: Launch Campaign”Start with high incentives, then reduce over time.
Pros:
- Attract initial attention
- Build voter base quickly
Cons:
- May lose voters when incentives decrease
Strategy 5: Relationship-Based
Section titled “Strategy 5: Relationship-Based”Offer incentives plus additional perks (airdrops, access, etc.).
Pros:
- Builds community
- Differentiates from pure incentive competition
Profile Best Practices
Section titled “Profile Best Practices”Building Trust
Section titled “Building Trust”- Complete all profile fields - Empty profiles look suspicious
- Use real social links - Active accounts show legitimacy
- Update regularly - Keep information current
- Engage with voters - Respond to questions on social media
Standing Out
Section titled “Standing Out”- Distinctive branding - Memorable name and image
- Clear value proposition - Why should voters choose you?
- Transparent strategy - Explain your approach
- Consistent presence - Regular updates and engagement
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Section titled “Common Mistakes to Avoid”- Minimal profile - Takes minutes to fill out, big impact on trust
- Misleading information - Damages reputation permanently
- Ignoring voters - Engagement builds loyalty
- Inconsistent incentives - Unpredictability drives voters away
Transferring Your Profile
Section titled “Transferring Your Profile”If you manage multiple veBTC positions or want to move your gauge:
When to Transfer
Section titled “When to Transfer”- Consolidating positions
- Lock expiring and creating new one
- Reorganizing your portfolio
How to Transfer
Section titled “How to Transfer”- Go to veBTC page
- Select your current gauge
- Click Transfer Profile
- Select the destination veBTC NFT
- Confirm the transfer
- Profile, settings, and history move to new gauge
What Transfers
Section titled “What Transfers”- Display name and description
- Profile picture
- Social links
- Strategy statements
- Tags
- Historical reputation
What Doesn’t Transfer
Section titled “What Doesn’t Transfer”- Pending incentives (must be claimed or wait)
- Active votes (stays with old gauge until epoch end)
- Specific gauge address (new position = new address)
Optimizing Your Gauge
Section titled “Optimizing Your Gauge”Attracting More Votes
Section titled “Attracting More Votes”- Increase incentives - Direct path to more votes
- Improve profile - Build trust with voters
- Promote on social - Bring attention to your gauge
- Engage community - Build relationships with key voters
Cost Efficiency
Section titled “Cost Efficiency”- Monitor APY - Are you overpaying for votes?
- Check competition - What are similar gauges offering?
- Target specific boost - Don’t overshoot your needs
- Time incentives - Add early in epoch for full exposure
Performance Tracking
Section titled “Performance Tracking”Check regularly:
- Vote trend (increasing/decreasing)
- Boost multiplier progress
- Cost per vote
- APY competitiveness
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”Profile Not Saving
Section titled “Profile Not Saving”- Ensure wallet is connected
- Check you have BTC for gas
- Try refreshing and reconnecting
Incentive Transaction Failing
Section titled “Incentive Transaction Failing”- Verify token approval completed
- Check sufficient token balance
- Ensure within valid epoch period
Low Vote Attraction
Section titled “Low Vote Attraction”- Compare your APY to competitors
- Review your profile completeness
- Consider increasing incentives
- Promote your gauge on social media
Boost Not Increasing
Section titled “Boost Not Increasing”- Verify votes are being received
- Check if you’ve reached optimal veMEZO
- Review the boost calculation formula
- Wait for more voters to allocate
Frequently Asked Questions
Section titled “Frequently Asked Questions”How much should I offer in incentives?
Section titled “How much should I offer in incentives?”Start by checking competing gauges. Aim for competitive APY while staying within budget. Monitor and adjust based on results.
Can I change my profile after creating it?
Section titled “Can I change my profile after creating it?”Yes, update anytime. Changes are visible immediately to voters.
What if my veBTC expires?
Section titled “What if my veBTC expires?”Your gauge becomes inactive. Create a new veBTC lock and transfer your profile to maintain continuity.
Do incentives roll over if not claimed?
Section titled “Do incentives roll over if not claimed?”Incentives remain available for the voting period they were deposited for. Check specific rules for unclaimed amounts.
How do I know if my incentives are working?
Section titled “How do I know if my incentives are working?”Monitor your veMEZO weight and boost multiplier. If they’re increasing, your incentives are attracting votes.
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Understanding Gauges - Deep dive into gauge mechanics
- Dashboard Guide - Track your performance
- Voting Guide - Understand the voter perspective
- FAQ - More answers to common questions