What is Optimism (OP)?

Deep Dive

1. Scaling Ethereum with Optimistic Rollups

Optimism processes transactions off-chain using optimistic rollups, which assume transactions are valid unless challenged. This reduces Ethereum’s congestion and gas fees by up to 90% while inheriting Ethereum’s security. Its EVM-equivalent architecture lets developers deploy Ethereum dApps with minimal changes. The 2023 Bedrock upgrade further slashed fees and improved compatibility, making it a leading Layer 2 for DeFi, NFTs, and gaming.

2. Governance and Tokenomics

The OP token governs upgrades, funding, and ecosystem incentives through the Optimism Collective—a two-house system:
- Token House: OP holders vote on protocol upgrades and grants.
- Citizens’ House: Allocates Retroactive Public Goods Funding (RetroPGF) to projects benefiting the ecosystem.
Of the 4.29B total OP supply, 20% is earmarked for RetroPGF, 25% for ecosystem grants, and 19% for user airdrops, aligning incentives for long-term growth.

3. Ecosystem and Superchain Vision

Optimism hosts top protocols like Uniswap, Aave, and Synthetix, with over $1.8B in total value locked (2025 data). Its “Superchain” initiative uses the OP Stack—a modular toolkit for launching interoperable chains (e.g., Base, Zora)—to create a unified network of Layer 2s. This fosters shared security, liquidity, and governance across chains, positioning Optimism as a hub for scalable, collaborative blockchain infrastructure.

Conclusion

Optimism is more than a scaling fix—it’s an experiment in decentralized governance and cross-chain interoperability. With its focus on public goods funding and the Superchain’s expanding reach, will its model redefine how Layer 2 ecosystems evolve alongside Ethereum?