Optimism is a leading Optimistic rollup within the Ethereum network built by OP Labs and
governed by the Optimism Collective. This project aims to streamline the transition between
Ethereum's Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) by offering a convenient code migration feature
across these layers, facilitated by its "EVM-equivalent" design. Transactions are executed at
the L2 level and later consolidated into batches for verification on the Ethereum main chain,
effectively reducing gas fees and enhancing transactional throughput. This optimization is
achieved while retaining Ethereum's security guarantees through its rollup architecture.
OP Stack
Optimism introduces the concept of OP Stack, a modular and adaptable foundation that
enables developers to build highly scalable and interoperable blockchains of all kinds atop
Ethereum. The OP Stack comprises a collection of standardized and open-source modules,
which developers can seamlessly integrate to build custom chains for specific needs. The
term "standardized" signifies a consensus on the specifications of each module, ensuring
they are universally implementable. The open-source nature of these modules means they
are freely accessible for iteration and adoption by developers. Additionally, the EVM equivalent nature of OP chains means developers looking to launch on Ethereum can
seamlessly also launch their dApps on Optimism or as an OP chain. The stack is made up of specific layers, each with a well-defined API that
can be tailored to the specific layer. As such, developers can modify existing modules or
create entirely new modules to meet their application's unique requirements.
Data Availability Layer
Central to the OP Stack's architecture is the Data Availability (DA) layer, a foundational
aspect of any rollup that helps reach consensus on transaction ordering and ensures
transaction data is available for verification. The OP stack uses Ethereum as its DA layer, as
adequate DA is required to ensure the rollup sequencer’s submissions can be crosschecked and challenged if needed. DA guarantees are paramount to a rollup’s design and
utilizing Ethereum, the most economically secure and decentralized smart contract L1,
ensures Optimism inherits the very best security guarantees the market can provide.
The Sequencing Layer
The role of sequencers is pivotal in driving the production of rollup blocks. A sequencer
must operate both an Ethereum (ETH) full node and an L2 node to effectively communicate
between the chains. Within this framework, sequencers are responsible for critical roles,
including real-time transaction confirmations, state updates, L2 block creation and
execution, as well as the submission of user transactions to Ethereum's layer 1.
The operational efficacy of rollups hinges on the accessibility of data by the sequencers.
Importantly, because there is currently only one sequencer in the Optimism ecosystem (run
by Optimism), this introduces a single point of failure and centralization concerns. However,
in scenarios where the sequencer might be censoring a user's transactions, users still retain
the capacity to route around the sequencer and ultimately recover their funds on the
Ethereum mainet.
The Derivation Layer takes the basic data in the Data Availability Layer and turns it into
useful information for the Execution Layer using the Ethereum Engine API. Sometimes, it
even looks at the current state of the system, as defined by the Execution Layer, to help
figure out the basic data.
The Execution Layer
At the heart of the OP Stack's design is the Execution Layer, a pivotal layer responsible for
managing the chain’s state and state changes, e.g. executing transactions. Changes in state
occur when inputs, transmitted from the Derivation Layer through the Engine API, prompt
transitions.
Settlement Layer: Peering Beyond the Horizon
The Settlement Layer performs the final validation of a block and, if necessary, handles any
disputes that may arise. It bears the responsibility of concluding transactions across all OP
chains present within the Superstack framework. The OP structure enables the
implementation of one or more settlement mechanisms for each OP Stack chain across
various external chains.
Optimism's forward-looking approach to the OP Stack can be seen in this layer. The OP
strategy entails separating out the proof layer and enabling optionality. As long as the proof
layer aligns with the criteria of the proof API, it can seamlessly integrate into the system
without causing any disruptions to the user experience. This means the OP Stack can easily
support/integrate validity proofs as opposed to fraud proofs. By harnessing the OP Stack’s
inherent versatility, developers can fashion nearly any solution imaginable across the crypto
space.
Governance Layer: Orchestrating Dynamics
The Governance Layer serves as a pivotal component in the OP Stack and is responsible for
overseeing system configuration, upgrades, and decision-making processes. It
encompasses protocol upgrades, adjustments, and design refinements, playing a critical
role in upholding the integrity and efficiency of blockchain networks.
A key facet of the Governance Layer involves MultiSig Contracts. These contracts commonly
find application in managing upgrades of components within an OP Stack-based system.
Currently, this mechanism governs the administration of bridge contract upgrades on the
Optimism Mainnet.
Superchain System
In the current day blockchain landscape, diversity has flourished not only within Layer 1
networks but also across Layer 2 solutions, resulting in the emergence of a multi-chain
world. While this diversification offers heightened options and flexibility for both users and
developers, it simultaneously ushers in a fractured ecosystem with numerous incompatible
chains. The segmentation of chains translates into discrete communities and user bases,
inhibiting the synergistic network effects essential for the prosperity of any blockchain
initiative. Smaller user groups, inevitably, culminate in reduced security, innovation, and
overall adoption rates, undermining the ecosystem's vitality.
Furthermore, the disintegrated ecosystem poses challenges for developers. In this multichain realm, developers are compelled to engineer applications that function seamlessly
across various chains—an endeavor that is laborious and expensive. This bottleneck impedes
innovation and hampers the participation of developers willing to contribute to projects in
this space.
In response to these challenges, Optimism introduces the concept of the Superchain—a
horizontally scalable network of interconnected Ethereum-aligned chains characterized by
shared security, a common communication layer, and an open-source development stack
made possible by the modularity of the OP Stack. This novel approach aims to mitigate the
prevailing issues, offering a permissionless framework for deploying new chains within a
unified network. Chains within the Superstack system aim to have frictionless
communication and transaction capabilities among one another. This, in turn, unlocks
avenues for significant scalability, innovative applications, and a novel revenue model that
rewards both application and protocol developers.
The Superchain amalgamates Optimism Mainnet and various chains into a singular,
harmonious network of OP Chains. Central to the Superchain's vision is the notion of OP
Chains—L2 chains that can have unique design features while maintaining interoperability.
Unlike conventional multi-chain designs, OP Chains are standardized, empowering
developers to build applications targeting the Superchain as a unified entity, abstracting
away the complexities of individual underlying chains. Base, Worldcoin, Zora, Debank, and
others have either launched their own OP Chain or have plans to do so.
The term 'OP chain' refers to individual chains within the domain of the Optimism
Superchain. Unlike multi-chain systems, OP chains adhere to a standardized architecture.
This architecture encompasses a shared base layer for Data Availability (DA), a bridge
connecting the base layer and OP chains, a flexible framework for deploying OP chains, the
OP chains themselves, and a cross-chain messaging protocol for efficient data and digital
asset transfer. This standardized setup facilitates transaction ordering across OP Chains,
empowering developers to craft applications targeting the Superchain in its entirety.
For the full report click here.
governed by the Optimism Collective. This project aims to streamline the transition between
Ethereum's Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) by offering a convenient code migration feature
across these layers, facilitated by its "EVM-equivalent" design. Transactions are executed at
the L2 level and later consolidated into batches for verification on the Ethereum main chain,
effectively reducing gas fees and enhancing transactional throughput. This optimization is
achieved while retaining Ethereum's security guarantees through its rollup architecture.
OP Stack
Optimism introduces the concept of OP Stack, a modular and adaptable foundation that
enables developers to build highly scalable and interoperable blockchains of all kinds atop
Ethereum. The OP Stack comprises a collection of standardized and open-source modules,
which developers can seamlessly integrate to build custom chains for specific needs. The
term "standardized" signifies a consensus on the specifications of each module, ensuring
they are universally implementable. The open-source nature of these modules means they
are freely accessible for iteration and adoption by developers. Additionally, the EVM equivalent nature of OP chains means developers looking to launch on Ethereum can
seamlessly also launch their dApps on Optimism or as an OP chain. The stack is made up of specific layers, each with a well-defined API that
can be tailored to the specific layer. As such, developers can modify existing modules or
create entirely new modules to meet their application's unique requirements.
Data Availability Layer
Central to the OP Stack's architecture is the Data Availability (DA) layer, a foundational
aspect of any rollup that helps reach consensus on transaction ordering and ensures
transaction data is available for verification. The OP stack uses Ethereum as its DA layer, as
adequate DA is required to ensure the rollup sequencer’s submissions can be crosschecked and challenged if needed. DA guarantees are paramount to a rollup’s design and
utilizing Ethereum, the most economically secure and decentralized smart contract L1,
ensures Optimism inherits the very best security guarantees the market can provide.
The Sequencing Layer
The role of sequencers is pivotal in driving the production of rollup blocks. A sequencer
must operate both an Ethereum (ETH) full node and an L2 node to effectively communicate
between the chains. Within this framework, sequencers are responsible for critical roles,
including real-time transaction confirmations, state updates, L2 block creation and
execution, as well as the submission of user transactions to Ethereum's layer 1.
The operational efficacy of rollups hinges on the accessibility of data by the sequencers.
Importantly, because there is currently only one sequencer in the Optimism ecosystem (run
by Optimism), this introduces a single point of failure and centralization concerns. However,
in scenarios where the sequencer might be censoring a user's transactions, users still retain
the capacity to route around the sequencer and ultimately recover their funds on the
Ethereum mainet.
The Derivation Layer takes the basic data in the Data Availability Layer and turns it into
useful information for the Execution Layer using the Ethereum Engine API. Sometimes, it
even looks at the current state of the system, as defined by the Execution Layer, to help
figure out the basic data.
The Execution Layer
At the heart of the OP Stack's design is the Execution Layer, a pivotal layer responsible for
managing the chain’s state and state changes, e.g. executing transactions. Changes in state
occur when inputs, transmitted from the Derivation Layer through the Engine API, prompt
transitions.
Settlement Layer: Peering Beyond the Horizon
The Settlement Layer performs the final validation of a block and, if necessary, handles any
disputes that may arise. It bears the responsibility of concluding transactions across all OP
chains present within the Superstack framework. The OP structure enables the
implementation of one or more settlement mechanisms for each OP Stack chain across
various external chains.
Optimism's forward-looking approach to the OP Stack can be seen in this layer. The OP
strategy entails separating out the proof layer and enabling optionality. As long as the proof
layer aligns with the criteria of the proof API, it can seamlessly integrate into the system
without causing any disruptions to the user experience. This means the OP Stack can easily
support/integrate validity proofs as opposed to fraud proofs. By harnessing the OP Stack’s
inherent versatility, developers can fashion nearly any solution imaginable across the crypto
space.
Governance Layer: Orchestrating Dynamics
The Governance Layer serves as a pivotal component in the OP Stack and is responsible for
overseeing system configuration, upgrades, and decision-making processes. It
encompasses protocol upgrades, adjustments, and design refinements, playing a critical
role in upholding the integrity and efficiency of blockchain networks.
A key facet of the Governance Layer involves MultiSig Contracts. These contracts commonly
find application in managing upgrades of components within an OP Stack-based system.
Currently, this mechanism governs the administration of bridge contract upgrades on the
Optimism Mainnet.
Superchain System
In the current day blockchain landscape, diversity has flourished not only within Layer 1
networks but also across Layer 2 solutions, resulting in the emergence of a multi-chain
world. While this diversification offers heightened options and flexibility for both users and
developers, it simultaneously ushers in a fractured ecosystem with numerous incompatible
chains. The segmentation of chains translates into discrete communities and user bases,
inhibiting the synergistic network effects essential for the prosperity of any blockchain
initiative. Smaller user groups, inevitably, culminate in reduced security, innovation, and
overall adoption rates, undermining the ecosystem's vitality.
Furthermore, the disintegrated ecosystem poses challenges for developers. In this multichain realm, developers are compelled to engineer applications that function seamlessly
across various chains—an endeavor that is laborious and expensive. This bottleneck impedes
innovation and hampers the participation of developers willing to contribute to projects in
this space.
In response to these challenges, Optimism introduces the concept of the Superchain—a
horizontally scalable network of interconnected Ethereum-aligned chains characterized by
shared security, a common communication layer, and an open-source development stack
made possible by the modularity of the OP Stack. This novel approach aims to mitigate the
prevailing issues, offering a permissionless framework for deploying new chains within a
unified network. Chains within the Superstack system aim to have frictionless
communication and transaction capabilities among one another. This, in turn, unlocks
avenues for significant scalability, innovative applications, and a novel revenue model that
rewards both application and protocol developers.
The Superchain amalgamates Optimism Mainnet and various chains into a singular,
harmonious network of OP Chains. Central to the Superchain's vision is the notion of OP
Chains—L2 chains that can have unique design features while maintaining interoperability.
Unlike conventional multi-chain designs, OP Chains are standardized, empowering
developers to build applications targeting the Superchain as a unified entity, abstracting
away the complexities of individual underlying chains. Base, Worldcoin, Zora, Debank, and
others have either launched their own OP Chain or have plans to do so.
The term 'OP chain' refers to individual chains within the domain of the Optimism
Superchain. Unlike multi-chain systems, OP chains adhere to a standardized architecture.
This architecture encompasses a shared base layer for Data Availability (DA), a bridge
connecting the base layer and OP chains, a flexible framework for deploying OP chains, the
OP chains themselves, and a cross-chain messaging protocol for efficient data and digital
asset transfer. This standardized setup facilitates transaction ordering across OP Chains,
empowering developers to craft applications targeting the Superchain in its entirety.
For the full report click here.