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Token holding

Reward users for holding any ERC-20 token in their wallet, based on their balance over time, similar to staking contracts but with greater flexibility

 

What you get

Versatility ERC-20 campaigns cover a wide range of DeFi use cases: any protocol that issues receipt tokens (e.g., LP tokens, debt tokens) is automatically supported
 
Security

No need for users to deposit funds in a smart contract (e.g. staking) to get rewards. No risks

 
Smart distribution

Reward token holders, even when their assets are held in third-party contracts rather than directly in their wallets

 

Check live token holding campaigns

Explore the token holding campaigns currently live in the Merkl App. Review their parameters, track TVL and APR evolution, and see how they are performing.

 

Token-holding-live-campaigns
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Start incentivizing in seconds

1
Choose an asset

Specify the token users must hold to earn rewards, and the chain it’s on


2
Select incentives
Set the rewards to be distributed for your campaign (token, chain, amount, dates)
3
Launch campaign
Confirm options, details, and sign the transaction to start distributing incentives
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FAQ

What is Merkl? Merkl is the leading incentive and point management platform, backed by a16z. We help protocols, blockchains, and wallets boost liquidity across any DeFi venue. Since our launch in November 2023, we've distributed over $200 million in incentives across 50+ chains, with 200+ protocols. We're the team behind all Uniswap, Morpho, Euler, Arbitrum, and Optimism incentives.
How do incentive platforms work? Incentive platforms automate and optimize the distribution of rewards based on user activity. They connect users with web3 projects looking to boost activity and engagement. Users perform actions (hold token, supply liquidity,…) and earn rewards, while web3 projects boost their growth (TVL increase, user engagement,…). There are different types of incentive platforms: custodial, non-custodial, social-focused, DeFi-focused, etc.
What types of incentive campaigns does Merkl support?

Merkl supports a wide range of incentive campaign types across 50+ chains:

- Liquidity incentives for concentrated liquidity pools (CLAMM) like Uniswap v3 & v4

- Lending & borrowing incentives across protocols like Aave, Morpho, and Euler

- Airdrops (to a predefined list or users meeting specific criteria)

- Rewards for ERC20 token holders, based on their balance over time (e.g., LP token holders)

- Point systems to drive engagement and retention

And we're constantly expanding with new use cases!

Does Merkl charge fees?

Campaign creation comes with a 3% maintenance fee, except for airdrop campaigns, which have a reduced 0.5% fee. Merkl is free for retail users, aside from gas fees.

For custom or long-term incentive programs, reach out to us — we’d be happy to discuss tailored pricing!

What are the best incentive strategies?

Choosing the right incentive strategy depends on your goals and needs. For instance, during a token launch, it’s often best to hold off on incentives until the price stabilizes, whereas for a stablecoin, building a liquidity wall can be a smart move. These are just a couple of many possible approaches.

Additionally, optimizing a campaign also means selecting the right reward distribution model—whether it's a fixed reward rate, variable reward rate, or event-based rewards (e.g., swaps, follows on X, etc.).

How to get started with Merkl incentives?

Distributing incentives with Merkl is quick and easy. Just head over to Merkl Studio, set up your campaign parameters (amount, chain, dates, etc.), and launch it in a few clicks!

If you're planning a large-scale incentive program, need advanced customization, or have any questions along the way, feel free to reach out — we’re here to help!

Ready to get started?