# vePEP

Vote-escrow PEP (vePEP) is PepperDEX’s governance token used for voting for governance proposals.

Community members will be able to participate in the PepperDAO governance with an account that has a balance of vote-escrowed PEP (vePEP).&#x20;

For more on the PepperDAO governance process, [click here](https://pepperdex.gitbook.io/pepperdex-docs/governance).

## How do you get vePEP?

In addition to staking rewards, PEP stakers will also receive vePEP to participate in the governance of the protocol. The longer a user locks PEP in the staking contract, the more vePEP they receive. However, vePEP balances decay throughout the staking period.

PepperDEX employs time-weighted voting power to ensure long-term PEP token holders receive greater governance weight to align token holders with the long-term growth, development, and sustainability of PeppeerDEX.

## Utility of vePEP

Governance voting: Vote on governance proposals such as listing new assets, changing protocol parameters, and approving budgets.
