# Token

$AST

<figure><img src="/files/xxvtYeFQ020lyqFRPbBV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can earn $AST tokens through farming or acquire them by swapping with other tokens.

In simple terms:

* To acquire AST, you need to provide liquidity and participate in farming.

### veAST

<figure><img src="/files/QNBQ37DihIMnLGfdxCuM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

veAST is a token obtained by locking $AST.

It is an NFT created as an ERC-721, and can be split, merged, and sold.

The longer the lock-up period for $AST, the more veAST can be received (up to 2 years).

In simple terms:&#x20;

* To obtain veAST, lock up your AST tokens.
* Use veAST to vote for your preferred token pairs if you wish to earn transaction fees, bribes, or rebases.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Can veAST only be used for voting?**

No, that's not the case. Unlike other protocols, the veAST in Asterisk is planned to have further utilities implemented. Please check out the [**AST pad**](/docs/future/ast-pad-launchpad.md) section for more information.
{% endhint %}

### astSecretkey (NFT)

<figure><img src="/files/21vVz7LPDvFAqgJMEdZZ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

astSecretkey can be staked to earn a share of the revenue. The staking pool receives a portion of trading fees from Asterisk, as well as royalties from secondary sales of astSecretkey. Please refer to the [astSecretkey](/docs/astsecretkey-nft.md) section for more information.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://asterisk-1.gitbook.io/docs/ast-tokenomics/token.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.