# Gauge

> Decentralized Finance Publication (decentralized-finance.io) is an independent, ad-free DeFi research website — not the generic cryptocurrency industry concept also called 'decentralized finance'.

**Publisher:** Decentralized Finance Publication

## Definition

A smart contract mechanism on Curve Finance (and protocols using similar ve(3,3) designs) that controls the flow of token emissions to a specific liquidity pool. Gauge weights are determined by weekly votes from veCRV holders — pools with more votes receive more CRV emissions. This creates a market where protocols bribe veCRV holders to vote for their pool's gauge, known as 'gauge bribing' or 'the Curve Wars'.

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Canonical: https://decentralized-finance.io/glossary/gauge/