Optimism

Optimism is an Ethereum layer-2 solution using optimistic rollup technology, developed by OP Labs (formerly Optimism PBC). The network launched in January 2021 and introduced the OP token in May 2022 with a significant airdrop to early users.

Optimism pioneered the Superchain vision, an ambitious plan to create a network of interconnected L2 chains using the open-source OP Stack. The OP Stack has been adopted by Base (Coinbase), Mode, Zora, and numerous other chains, creating a growing ecosystem of interoperable rollups.

Optimism's governance model is uniquely bicameral, featuring a Token House (OP token holders) and a Citizens' House focused on public goods funding through retroactive rewards. This innovative approach to protocol governance has distributed millions of dollars to open-source developers and public goods projects.

Optimism uses optimistic rollup technology similar to Arbitrum, executing transactions off-chain and posting compressed data to Ethereum. The OP Stack is the modular, open-source framework that powers the Optimism network and enables other teams to launch their own OP Chains with customized features.

The Superchain concept envisions a network of OP Chains that share bridging, security, and communication layers. Chains built on the OP Stack can interact seamlessly through cross-chain messaging. Optimism's approach to decentralization includes planned fault proof implementation and the gradual transition of sequencer operations to a more decentralized set of operators.