Frequently asked questions
General
Is BarkSwap live with real money?
Not yet — it currently runs on the DogeOS Chikyū Testnet. Tokens here have no real value; it's a safe place to learn. See Set up your wallet.
Do I need an account?
No. BarkSwap is non-custodial — your wallet is your account. Connect it and you're in. There's no sign-up and no one holds your funds but you.
What does BarkSwap charge?
A small trading fee on swaps (it goes to LPs and voters, not a company), plus the network gas every transaction costs. There's no deposit or withdrawal fee.
ve(3,3), locking & voting
What's the difference between BARK and a veNFT?
BARK is the liquid, transferable token. Lock it and you get a veNFT (veBARK) — your voting power. See The BARK token.
Can I unlock my BARK early?
No. Locking is a commitment for the duration you chose; you can extend it but not withdraw early. That commitment is what gives your vote weight. You withdraw once the lock fully expires. See Lock BARK.
Do I have to vote every week?
To keep earning voter rewards (fees + bribes), yes — voting is per epoch. The rebase and already-accrued rewards keep waiting for you, but each week you skip voting earns no new fees or bribes. A weekly claim + re-vote habit covers it.
What's a rebase, and why do I get one?
A slice of weekly emissions paid back to all lockers to offset dilution from the new BARK being minted. Claim it into your veNFT. See The BARK token.
When does the week roll over?
Every Thursday at 00:00 UTC — that's the epoch flip. Emissions distribute and rewards become claimable then. See Epochs.
Liquidity & earning
How do I earn the most as an LP?
Provide liquidity and stake the position so you earn BARK emissions on top of trading fees. Pick a sensible price range, and consider locking some BARK to vote your own pool extra emissions. See Provide liquidity.
Why did my position stop earning?
Concentrated positions only earn while the price is inside your range. If the price moved out, re-range (withdraw and re-add around the current price). See Concentrated liquidity.
What's impermanent loss?
If your two tokens' prices drift apart, you may end up with slightly less value than just holding them. Fees and emissions are what compensate for it. See Concentrated liquidity.
Why do I have to approve a token before swapping or depositing?
Approval is a one-time permission that lets the app move that specific token for you. After the first time, that token only needs the single swap/deposit confirmation.
Safety
Is it safe?
BarkSwap is non-custodial, so you control your funds and what you sign. The usual rules apply: use the official URL, never share your recovery phrase, and verify unfamiliar token addresses on the block explorer. On testnet there's nothing of value at risk — a great time to build good habits.
A transaction failed. Did I lose money?
A failed transaction doesn't execute the swap/deposit — you only spent a little gas. Common causes: slippage too tight, the price moved, or not enough DOGE for gas. Adjust and retry.
Still stuck? The community links in the footer are the fastest way to get help. Developers should see the developer docs.