> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/ecosystem/vebal-and-gauges/vebal.md).

# veBAL

## Overview

veBAL (vote-escrow BAL) is a vesting and yield system based on [Curve’s veCRV mechanism](https://curve.readthedocs.io/dao-vecrv.html).

{% hint style="info" %}
For those unfamiliar with Curve's system, users obtain veCRV by locking CRV in their `VotingEscrow` contract. veCRV is non-transferable, and its voting power decays linearly with time.
{% endhint %}

## Understanding veBAL

To learn more about how veBAL works, please refer to the following page:

{% content-ref url="/pages/2WgBXa4shDRJw1TuuVKU" %}
[How veBAL Works](/balancer-v2/ecosystem/vebal-and-gauges/vebal/how-vebal-works.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Using veBAL

To learn more about how to lock your BPT into veBAL, extend your lock period, and unlock tokens back into BPT, please refer to the following page:

{% content-ref url="/pages/IbakGjcPMnrtVA7HUpCY" %}
[How To Use veBAL](/balancer-v2/ecosystem/vebal-and-gauges/vebal/how-to-use-vebal.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}