# Quick Start Guide

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**Geographic Restriction**

BUCK is not available for US persons. By using the protocol you represent that you are not a US person as defined in applicable law. See [Terms](https://buck.io/terms).
{% endhint %}

## Choose Your Path

| Path              | Difficulty | Rewards                     | Best For           |
| ----------------- | ---------- | --------------------------- | ------------------ |
| **Hold BUCK**     | Easy       | STRC yield + Points + Merkl | Passive holders    |
| **Provide LP**    | Medium     | 3x Points + fees + Merkl    | Active DeFi users  |
| **Refer Friends** | Easy       | 10% of referee's Points     | Community builders |

***

## Path 1: Hold BUCK (Easiest)

### Step 1: Get USDC

You need USDC on Ethereum mainnet. Bridge from other chains or buy on an exchange.

### Step 2: Connect to buck.io

1. Go to [buck.io](https://buck.io)
2. Click "Connect Wallet"
3. Select your wallet (MetaMask, WalletConnect, Coinbase Wallet, etc.)

### Step 3: Mint BUCK

1. Enter the USDC amount you want to convert
2. Review the exchange rate (shows how much BUCK you'll receive)
3. Click "Mint"
4. Confirm the transaction in your wallet

### Step 4: Receive Yield Monthly

Yield is distributed automatically in BUCK each month. See [Monthly Distribution](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/how-yield-works/distribution) for eligibility details.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Three reward streams.** Hold BUCK and earn STRC yield (distributed automatically), Points (automatic), and Merkl BUCK rewards (claim weekly at merkl.xyz). See [Buck Points Program](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/buck-points-program/points-program) for details.
{% endhint %}

***

## Path 2: Provide LP (Higher Rewards)

### Why Provide Liquidity?

| Benefit             | Details                         |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| **3x Points**       | LP positions earn 3x vs holding |
| **Trading Fees**    | \~1-2% APY from swaps           |
| **Merkl Rewards**   | Claim at merkl.xyz              |
| **Protocol Impact** | Deep liquidity helps Buck grow  |

### Step 1: Get BUCK + USDC

You need roughly equal value of both tokens.

**Example:** $5,000 BUCK + $5,000 USDC = $10,000 LP position

### Step 2: Add Liquidity on Curve

Curve is optimized for stablecoin swaps with lower slippage.

1. Go to [curve.fi](https://curve.fi)
2. Find the BUCK/USDC pool
3. Click "Deposit"
4. Enter your BUCK and USDC amounts
5. Approve tokens and confirm deposit

LP positions earn 3x Points multiplier, trading fees, and Merkl BUCK rewards. See [Buck Points Program](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/buck-points-program/points-program) for multiplier details.

***

## Path 3: Refer Friends

### How It Works

1. Get your unique referral link from [buck.io](https://buck.io) (powered by Merkl)
2. Share with friends
3. When they mint $100+ BUCK, you earn **10% of their Points** — forever

### Requirements

| Requirement      | Details                             |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Minimum mint** | Referee must mint $100+ BUCK        |
| **Where**        | Must mint through buck.io (not DEX) |
| **Duration**     | You earn as long as they earn       |

### Example

Your friend mints $10,000 BUCK and holds for 30+ days:

* They earn 5,000 Points/day (5x multiplier at 30+ days)
* You earn 500 Points/day (10% of theirs)
* Over 8 weeks: They get 280,000 Points, you get 28,000 Points

***

## Tracking Your Rewards

### Points Dashboard

View your Points at **buck.io/points**:

* Daily Points earned
* Current multiplier
* Hold duration
* Leaderboard position

### Merkl Rewards

Claim your BUCK rewards at [merkl.xyz](https://merkl.xyz):

* Connect your wallet
* Find Buck campaigns
* Claim accumulated rewards
* Distributed weekly

### Monthly Yield

### What's the minimum to participate in the points campaign?

STRC yield is distributed automatically in BUCK each month — no action required. See [Monthly Distribution](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/how-yield-works/distribution) for eligibility details.

For contract addresses, see [Smart Contracts](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/technical/contracts). For multiplier details, see [Buck Points Program](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/buck-points-program/points-program). For common questions, see [FAQ](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/resources/faq).

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## Next Steps

* [How Yield Works →](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/how-yield-works/overview)
* [Monthly Distribution Details →](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/how-yield-works/distribution)
* [Understand the risks →](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/safety-and-risk/risks)
* [See how BUCK compares to alternatives →](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/why-buck#how-buck-compares)

***

*Next:* [*BUCK Token →*](https://buck-3.gitbook.io/buck-docs/buck-token/buck-token)