Optimism, a provider of Ethereum scaling solutions, is expanding its blockchain capabilities by introducing layer-3 applications on top of the OP Stack.
Announced on May 8, Optimism is inviting layer-3s to join the Superchain, enabling them to develop on the OP Stack and share revenue with the Optimism Collective. The OP Stack, the foundational codebase powering development on Superchain, is not limited to L2 chain deployers and app builders but can also be utilized by an ecosystem of L3s.
The Optimism Superchain consists of layer-2 chains, or OP Chains, that share security, communication layers, and open-source technology. Layer-3 protocols built on top of layer-2s host application-specific decentralized applications, offering improved solutions for scaling, performance, interoperability, customization, and costs.
Two key features are being introduced to support L3 builders on the OP Stack: custom gas tokens and "Plasma Mode." Custom gas tokens allow developers to utilize a layer-2 token as the native gas token for a layer-3 protocol, reducing onboarding costs. Plasma Mode, an alternative to the data availability layer, can decrease the fixed overhead cost of operating an L3 compared to an L2.
The objective is to enhance the accessibility of the Optimism Superchain to developers by providing layer-3 features and functionality. However, some, like Polygon CEO Marc Boiron, express skepticism about L3 networks, suggesting they may increase security risks to Ethereum by extracting value from the network.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin noted in late 2022 that L3s will serve a different purpose in scaling by offering customized functionality.
Optimism's rollup-based OP Mainnet ranks as the second-largest layer-2 network, with a total value locked of $6.76 billion, representing around 18% of the market share, according to L2beat.
May 2024, Cryptoniteuae