> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.underscore.finance/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.underscore.finance/economics/rewards.md).

# Rewards

Earn RIPE tokens — the governance token of [Ripe Protocol](https://ripe.finance) — just by using Underscore. The more yield you generate and the more you hold, the more RIPE you earn.

**Two ways to earn:**

1. **Yield Bonuses** — Get a 1:1 RIPE match on your yield profits
2. **Deposit Rewards** — Earn RIPE based on how much you hold and for how long

Invite friends and earn RIPE on their yield profits too.

***

## Yield Bonuses (1:1 RIPE Match)

When you realize yield profits, you get bonus RIPE tokens on top:

* **1:1 match** — for every $1 of yield you earn, get $1 worth of RIPE
* Paid automatically when withdrawing yield
* Applies to yield strategies only (not swaps or reward claims)
* Requires available RIPE balance in distributor (first-come, first-served)

**Example**: You withdraw $1,000 in yield profit

* You keep your $1,000 profit (in the yield asset)
* You also receive \~$1,000 worth of RIPE tokens

### Referral Bonuses

Invite friends to Underscore and earn RIPE when they profit:

* **1:1 match** — for every $1 of yield your referred user earns, you get $1 worth of RIPE
* Your friend still gets their full 1:1 bonus too
* Both parties benefit from the same yield event

**Example**: Your friend realizes $1,000 in yield profit

* Friend keeps $1,000 profit + gets \~$1,000 RIPE bonus
* You get \~$1,000 RIPE bonus for referring them

***

## Deposit Rewards

Earn RIPE simply by holding assets in your Underscore wallet:

```
Points = (USD Value × Blocks Held)
Your Share = Your Points / Total Global Points
```

**How it works**:

1. Hold assets in your [wallet](/programmable-wallets/user-wallet.md)
2. Accumulate points over time
3. Claim your proportional share of the RIPE rewards pool

**Example**:

* Hold $10,000 for 2 weeks
* Total protocol points = 3,024, your points = 60.48 (2% share)
* $5,000 worth of RIPE in pool → You claim \~$100 worth of RIPE

***

## RIPE Token Details

RIPE is the governance token of [Ripe Protocol](https://ripe.finance), Underscore's integrated borrowing protocol. Your RIPE can be:

* **Held** for potential appreciation
* **Staked** in Ripe governance for voting power and additional rewards
* **Traded** on supported exchanges

### Auto-Staking

Currently, **80% of RIPE rewards are automatically staked** in Ripe's governance vault with a 180-day lock period. The remaining 20% is sent directly to your wallet. This gives you instant staking benefits without extra transactions.

***

## Fee Structure

Underscore charges small fees on certain activities:

| Activity          | Fee   | Applied To                                        |
| ----------------- | ----- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Swaps             | 0.25% | Trade amount                                      |
| External Rewards  | 20%   | Protocol reward claims (MORPHO, WELL, etc.)       |
| Vault Performance | 20%   | Yield profits in Core Vaults and Amplified Vaults |

**No fees on**: Transfers, deposits, idle funds, or principal.

***

## Future: Ambassador Revenue Share

In addition to the RIPE yield bonuses described above, ambassadors may also receive a percentage of fees in-kind (paid in the same asset as the fee). This feature exists in the protocol but revenue share ratios are currently set to 0%. If ambassador revenue share is activated in the future, it would be deducted before the remaining protocol revenue is allocated to [$RIPE](https://app.ripe.finance/ripe) buybacks.

***

## Common Questions

**Q: When can I claim?** A: Immediately after rewards accumulate, subject to cooldown. [Managers](/programmable-wallets/managers.md) can claim on your behalf if authorized.

**Q: Can rewards be lost?** A: No, they accumulate until claimed (limited by contract balance).

**Q: Do bonuses always pay out?** A: Only if distributor has sufficient RIPE balance. First-come, first-served.

**Q: How do deposit points work?** A: Points = deposit value × time. More deposits + longer holding = more points = larger share of the rewards pool.

**Q: Is my RIPE automatically staked?** A: Yes. 80% is auto-staked in Ripe governance with a 180-day lock. 20% goes directly to your wallet.

***

## The Bottom Line

Earn yield, get RIPE. Hold assets, get RIPE. Refer friends, get RIPE when they profit.

Your DeFi activity directly translates to token rewards.

***

## Next Steps

* [**Deposit in Earn Vaults**](/earn-vaults/vaults.md): Choose Core Vaults for straightforward yield or Amplified Vaults for a second yield layer, then earn RIPE bonuses on top
* [**Deploy Your Wallet**](/programmable-wallets/user-wallet.md): Start accumulating deposit points
* [**Add Managers**](/programmable-wallets/managers.md): Automate reward claiming
* [**Set Up Whitelist**](/programmable-wallets/whitelist.md): Direct rewards to any trusted wallet