Optimism

Optimism is a Layer 2 scaling network built on top of Ethereum, designed to make transactions faster and cheaper than transacting directly on Ethereum's base layer. It operates as a growing family of chains called the Superchain, all built on a shared open-source framework called the OP Stack, which is also used by chains such as Base, Unichain, Ink, and World Chain. The OP token gives holders the ability to participate in governance decisions, including protocol upgrades and how ecosystem funds are allocated.

Optimism processes transactions off Ethereum's main chain and periodically settles the results back to Ethereum, reducing the cost each user pays for Ethereum's security. The underlying OP Stack is an optimistic rollup framework, meaning transactions are assumed valid by default and only checked if challenged. Every chain built on the OP Stack that joins the Superchain follows a standardized revenue-sharing model, contributing either 2.5% of total chain revenue or 15% of on-chain profit — whichever is greater — back to the Optimism Collective.

Fees on OP Mainnet and other Superchain members are paid by users conducting transactions, and the median transaction fee recorded on the most recent full day (2026-08-26) was $0.000032, reflecting the low-cost nature of the network. The Superchain revenue-sharing model directs a portion of each member chain's revenue or profit to the Optimism Collective, which funds ecosystem development. The circulating supply stands at approximately 2.29 billion OP against a maximum supply of roughly 4.29 billion, meaning about 53.3% of all tokens have been issued to date, with the remaining 46.7% yet to enter circulation.