> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.aqua.network/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.aqua.network/for-projects/what-are-bribes.md).

# Bribes

{% hint style="info" %}
Bribes are one of two tools for projects growing liquidity on Aquarius — see [Growing Liquidity on Aquarius](/for-projects/for-projects.md) for the full picture, including how bribes compare to Pool Incentives.
{% endhint %}

A **bribe** is a reward attached to a specific Stellar market on [aqua.network/vote](https://aqua.network/vote) to incentivize voters. Voters on bribed markets receive daily payouts for as long as the market stays incentivized.

There are two types of bribes:

* **Protocol bribes** — funded automatically from AMM trading fees, paid to voters on high-volume markets.
* **External bribes** — submitted by anyone to boost votes for a specific pair.

### Who are external bribes for?

Primarily project owners who want AQUA holders to vote for markets related to their token — but any user can create a bribe to influence markets in their interest. Bribed markets consistently attract more votes, since voters earn passive income for supporting them.

* Bribes can be assigned to any Stellar market.
* Since June 2026, AQUA emissions are limited to assets whitelisted in the [Asset Registry](/governance/asset-registry.md). Creating bribes for non-whitelisted markets remains possible, but won't lead to any AQUA rewards for that market.
* A market can carry bribes in multiple assets at once, though AQUA is the most commonly used token.
* Bribed markets are marked in the UI and collected under the **With Bribes** tab on [aqua.network/bribes](https://aqua.network/bribes).

### How bribes work

1. **Creation.** A claimable balance is created with a marker for the bribed market and the reward tokens used to pay voters.
2. **Collection.** New bribes can be created until 18:00 UTC on Sundays for the following week. At 19:00 UTC on Sundays, Aquarius collects and validates all bribes for the coming week.
3. **Distribution.** Approved bribes are distributed linearly from Monday to Sunday. Snapshots and payouts happen at random times each day to keep things fair — keep your votes on the bribed market around the clock, since adjusting them can mean missing a snapshot.

### Requirements and validity

* Minimum bribe size: **100,000 AQUA per week** (no maximum).
* On collection, Aquarius performs a validity check by purchasing 100,000 AQUA from the offered tokens via a path payment — this ensures bribe tokens hold real value. The purchased AQUA plus the remaining reward tokens are distributed to voters.
* Example: a bribe of 1,000 USDC with AQUA at $0.003 — at collection, 300 USDC converts into 100,000 AQUA, and voters on the market receive the 100,000 AQUA plus the remaining 700 USDC.
* Rejected bribes are refunded to the sender.

### Why use Aquarius bribes?

Bribes level the playing field: any Stellar market can be incentivized, with no infrastructure on your side.

* **No coding** — bribes are created directly from the Aquarius interface; vote tracking and distribution are handled by the protocol.
* **Open participation** — the process is permissionless for projects and individuals alike.
* **Guaranteed payouts** — distribution is automatic; voters who lock their AQUA receive the promised rewards.
* **Transparency** — all bribes are visible on [vote.aqua.network](https://vote.aqua.network), with payout details and schedules.
* **Flexibility** — bribes can be paid in any Stellar asset, including your own token, and a single market can carry several bribe assets at once.

***

* To create a bribe, follow the walkthrough: [Creating Bribes](/user-guides/how-to-create-bribes.md).
* To earn bribes as a voter, see [Voting for Markets](/user-guides/how-to-vote-for-markets-on-aquarius.md).