An Ethereum Layer 2 using the OP Stack, the open-source rollup framework powering an interoperable "Superchain" of major L2s.
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Optimism is an Ethereum Layer 2 developed by OP Labs. The OP Mainnet chain is one of the major Ethereum L2s, but Optimism's broader contribution is the OP Stack: an open-source, modular rollup framework that other L2s have adopted, including Coinbase's Base, Worldcoin's World Chain, Sony's Soneium, and others. Together these form the "Superchain": a network of interoperable L2s sharing the OP Stack.
OP Mainnet is an optimistic rollup that executes EVM-compatible transactions and posts batches to Ethereum L1. OP Stack chains share design but maintain separate state; the Superchain plan involves shared sequencing and atomic cross-chain composability between participating chains. The OP token is governance for the Optimism Collective, the DAO that allocates retroactive public-goods funding to projects building on the OP Stack.
OP Mainnet hosts DeFi (Velodrome DEX, Synthetix, Aave), gaming, and consumer apps. The most strategically important development is the Superchain ecosystem: Base alone (built on OP Stack) is one of the largest L2s and brings significant Coinbase-driven retail volume. The OP token's value derives partly from its governance role over the Optimism treasury and partly from sequencer fees redirected to the Collective.
Like all optimistic rollups, native withdrawals to L1 take 7 days. The Superchain vision creates value but also requires coordination across multiple independent chains, each with their own teams and incentives. OP's tokenomics include a relatively large initial allocation to airdrops and the Collective.
See optimistic rollup and Layer 2 for technical context.