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How to use the Multi-Delegate Manager

How to use the Multi-Delegate Manager

Learn how to use it.

Updated over a week ago

The Multi-Delegate Manager (MDM)

The Multi-Delegate Manager (MDM) is a decentralised application (dApp) designed to simplify and streamline the delegation process for token voters, and DAOs.

With the multi-delegate manager you can delegate voting power to multiple delegates without splitting up tokens into different wallets.

Features

  • Delegate voting power to multiple delegates without splitting up tokens

  • Change list of delegates and reallocate voting power

  • Retrieve tokens from the contract (fully or partially) at any time

  • Execute all delegation actions in a single Ethereum transaction

  • View the delegation strategies of other users

  • Dynamically update or reassign a list of delegates

  • Native ENS integration

Benefits

  • Simplified governance for token holders and brand operators

  • Flexibility in how and to whom you delegate

  • Easily mimic successful or aligned delegation strategies

  • Gas efficient delegation on Ethereum (one tx!)

The Multi Delegate Contract

The Multi-Delegate Manager system utilises proxy contracts. Each proxy contract holds a portion of the token holder’s tokens and delegates the associated voting power to a specific delegate. At any time, the token holder can withdraw their tokens - either fully or partially - from the contracts. The system is composed of two primary smart contracts: ENSProxyDelegator and ENSMultiDelegate.

How It Works

  1. Token Approval: The user authorises the proxy contract to manage their delegation power.

  2. Proxy Contract Created or Identified: An appropriate proxy is either created or located based on the user’s intent.

  3. Delegation Mechanism: Voting power is distributed and updated across the selected delegates.

  4. Token Storage: Tokens remain securely stored within the proxy contract until withdrawn.

Contract Details

For more information read our blog post: ens.domains/blog/post/multi-delegate-manager


About Delegation

The original method of delegation is where any given wallet delegates voting power to a only single delegate (Native Delegate) to vote with. These are native $ENS tokens being delegated.

This new multi delegate contract allows any given wallet to delegate a set number of voting power to multiple (Multi Delegate) delegates. These are NFT (multi-delegate contract) $ENS tokens being delegated.

Multi delegate votes take priority over native delegation and their votes are processed before the remaining votes are passed to the native delegate. This means you can do both:

  1. Assign predetermined amounts of voting power to Multi Delegate delegates

  2. Assign the balance of voting power to a single Native Delegate.

About the ENS DAO and $ENS Token


Guides

Connect wallet

  1. On delegate.ens.domains, navigate to the top right corner of the page.

  2. Click the empty blue profile icon and select a wallet.

  3. In the wallet, confirm to connect

To disconnect wallet:

  1. Click on the profile icon in the top right corner.

  2. Click Disconnect from the dropdown menu.


View Strategy

To view any delegation strategy:

  1. In the taskbar, input: delegate.ens.domains/strategy/<input>

  2. Replace <input> with either the ENS name or 0x wallet address of the delegate.

On the view strategy page, you’ll see:

  • if the wallet holds $ENS tokens

  • if those tokens are currently undelegated or delegated

Adding a description to Strategy page
This is the "Short Bio" record on an ENS name. Add it via app.ens.domains
(see How to Edit Profile)


View Your Own Strategy

  1. Connect your wallet at delegate.ens.domains

  2. Once connected, you’ll automatically move to the /strategy page: delegate.ens.domains/strategy/

On this page, you’ll see:

  • Any undelegated $ENS tokens in your wallet

  • Your delegation strategy, including both Native and Multi-Delegate methods

If the wallet holds no $ENS tokens the following warning will display:

"⚠️You do not have any $ENS to delegate"


Manage Strategy

  1. Connect your wallet at delegate.ens.domains

  2. Once connected, navigate to your strategy page.

  3. Then click Manage Strategy to move to delegate.ens.domains/manage

On the manage strategy page, you’ll see:

  • The current $ENS token balance

  • The current strategy composition (if any)

  • A + Add or change delegate button

  • Approve or Update Strategy buttons

Only $ENS tokens held in a wallet can be delegated & redelegated. You cannot redelegate governance which is held by another wallet.

Use the + Add or change delegate button to search for and select a delegate (by ENS name or address)

Once added, you can specify how many tokens you’d like to delegate to each delegate. As you input token amounts, the available balance will update in real-time.

You do not need to delegate an entire balance, but you cannot delegate more than is hold. If you enter an amount greater than the available $ENS, a negative balance will appear along with a warning: ⚠️ Not enough $ENS

Confirm Delegation choices

If this is the first time delegating, or when adding more voting power to the Multi-Delegate, an Approve button will appear.

  1. Click Approve to initiate a "Spending Cap Request" sign transaction. This is for the amount of voting power you intend to assign multi delegates.

  2. Sign the transaction in your wallet.

Increasing the token balance after confirming the Spending Cap Request will require repeating the approval process.

Next, the approve button will change to Update Strategy:

  1. Click Update Strategy.

  2. For Multi-Delegate, a confirmation screen will appear with Open Wallet or Back options

  3. Click Open Wallet, and confirm the transaction in your wallet

  4. Once confirmed onchain, your new delegation is live and the strategy page will update

Native Delegation

When a single delegate is selected AND at least 95% of voting power is assigned, a prompt will appear to choose a delegation method:

  • Multi-Delegation – delegate a portion of $ENS (by swapping $ENS for NFTs)

  • Native Delegation – delegate all $ENS held in the wallet


Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if i transfer native $ENS tokens?

The voting power will transfer to the recipient’s native delegate (if they have one set).

What happens if I transfer NFT (Multi-Delegate) $ENS tokens?

The voting power will remain with the current Multi-Delegate delegate. The recipient of the NFT can convert the tokens back to native $ENS using the Multi-Delegate contract.

How do i swap my Multi Delegate NFT back to $ENS tokens?

When managing your strategy, set the delegate allocation values to 0 and update the strategy. This will return NFT tokens to their native $ENS form.

What happens if i add more $ENS tokens into my wallet?

If you’ve already set a native delegate, the new tokens will be included in their voting power. If not, they’ll remain undelegated. You can assign them a delegate anytime using the Multi-Delegate Manager.

Are my .eth names used for governance, delegation, or voting?

No. You can only delegate or redelegate $ENS tokens you personally hold. Governance rights from other wallets cannot be redelegated.

Can i redelegate tokens someone else delegated to me?

No. Only $ENS tokens held in your wallet can be delegated & redelegated. You cannot redelegate governance which is held by another wallet.

How do i add a description to my profile?

You can add a description via the "Short Bio" record on an ENS name. Edit it at app.ens.domains (see How to Edit Profile)

Is there an aidrop?

No. There is NO airdrop or claim. Any claim otherwise is a scam. Stay safe - read more in the Secuirty article.

Where do i learn more about the $ENS token & the ENS DAO?

Start here: basics.ensdao.org

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