Optimism is a scaling solution for Ethereum that uses optimistic rollups to reduce costs and speed up transactions. This article examines the key aspects of how Optimism works, its vision for Superchain, and the role of the OP token in the ecosystem.
How Optimism (OP) Works
On OP Mainnet, transactions first pass through a sequencer, which organizes them and groups them into bundles. These bundles are then submitted to Ethereum as state commitments. The design assumes commitments are valid, but to safeguard the system, a seven-day challenge period is enforced. Anyone can submit a fraud proof during this window. If a proof succeeds, the transaction is corrected and the dishonest actor is penalized.
The Superchain Vision
The Superchain represents Optimism’s long-term plan for a network of OP Chains functioning as one. While still under development, it marks a key stage in the roadmap. The entire framework is built on the OP Stack, which standardizes how new Layer 2 blockchains are deployed and maintained.
The OP Token System
The OP token governs the Optimism ecosystem and supports the Optimism Collective. Its functions include governance, protocol direction, and funding allocation. Revenue from the sequencer is reinvested, with portions directed to public goods and ecosystem incentives.
Optimism extends Ethereum’s capabilities by reducing costs and improving throughput with optimistic rollups and the OP Stack. The long-term objective is the Superchain: a connected network of OP Chains that offers interoperability, shared governance, and infrastructure designed to support applications at scale.
