Optimism

What is Optimism?    

Optimism is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that uses the OP Stack, a standardized, shared, and open-source development stack maintained by the Optimism Collective.  

Understanding the OP Stack

The OP Stack consists of the many different software components managed and maintained by the Optimism Collective that, together, form the backbone of Optimism.

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The OP Stack is built as a public good for the Ethereum and Optimism ecosystems. To understand how to operate an OP Stack chain, including roll-up and chain deployment basics, visit the Chain Operator guide.

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Stay up to date on the Superchain and the OP Stack by subscribing to the Optimism Developer Blog.

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The OP Stack powers Optimism  

With the advent of the Superchain concept, it has become increasingly important for Optimism to easily support the secure creation of new chains that can interoperate within the proposed Superchain ecosystem. The OP Stack is primarily focused on the creation of a shared, high-quality, and fully open-source system for creating new L2 blockchains.

The OP Stack of today was built to support the Optimism Superchain, a proposed network of L2s that share security, communication layers, and a common development stack (the OP Stack itself). The Bedrock release of the OP Stack makes it easy to spin up an L2 that will be compatible with the Superchain when it launches.

What can you expect from Optimism?

As Optimism grows, so will the OP Stack. As work on the stack continues, it should become easier to plug in and configure different modules. As the Superchain begins to take shape, the OP Stack can evolve alongside it, to include the message-passing infrastructure that allows different chains to interoperate seamlessly.

Chains in the Optimism Superchain

The Optimism Superchain is a network of Layer 2 chains built using the OP Stack, each contributing to a unified and scalable Ethereum ecosystem. Some of the prominent chains in the Superchain include:

 
• OP Mainnet: Formerly known as Optimism, OP Mainnet is an EVM-equivalent Layer 2 rollup helping to scale Ethereum. It aims to be fast, simple, and secure.
   
• Base: Developed by Coinbase, Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain designed to offer a safe, low-cost, developer-friendly way to build on-chain. Base is built on the OP Stack in collaboration with Optimism.
   
• B3: Built on Base, B3 is a horizontally scaled gaming ecosystem designed to bring the next generation of gamers and game creators on-chain. It offers dedicated blockspace for games, providing low gas fees and high-speed transactions.
   
• UNI: UniChain is a Layer 2 blockchain developed by Uniswap Labs on the Optimism Superchain, enhancing decentralized finance (DeFi) with faster transactions, reduced costs, and cross-chain interoperability, aiming to be the primary liquidity platform across multiple blockchains.
   
• Mode: Mode is the Modular DeFi Layer 2 building the Superchain alongside Optimism, empowering developers and users to grow an ecosystem of world-class applications and be directly rewarded for their contributions.
   
• Fraxtal: An EVM-equivalent, modular rollup utilizing the OP Stack as its smart contract platform and execution environment. Fraxtal introduces technology for other networks to use, connect to, and build upon.
   
• Zora: A Layer 2 blockchain with the mission to make creating on the internet free and valuable.
   
• World Chain: Designed for humans, World aims to scale the Worldcoin protocol and the broader Ethereum community to 1 billion people and beyond.

These chains collectively enhance the scalability, interoperability, and diversity of the Ethereum ecosystem, each bringing unique features and services to users and developers.