Optimism's strategic consistency in technology, philosophy, and economic incentives is redefining the game.

Written by: arndxt, Threading on the Edge

Translated by: Golden Finance xiaozou

I have delved deep into the layers of the Superchain maze. My eyes, once shrouded in fog, now see clearly through the mist that this network is different from others. It is completely distinct from other chains. It is a flower blooming from the soil of innovation.

1. The Origin and Driving Force of Superchain

If you are inexperienced in this area, please join me on a journey through Superchain… Let’s explore its origins and the forces driving its rise:

(1) The Fragmented L2 Ecosystem

The L2 space of Ethereum was once a constellation made up of isolated stars—Arbitrum, Polygon, zkSync, etc.—each star illuminating its own corner of the universe. Developers were pulled in multiple directions, scattering resources and diluting network effects. This fragmented ecosystem led to challenges in interoperability, liquidity fragmentation, and a steep learning curve for developers adapting to different protocols.

The development of L2 solutions was intended to offload transaction processing from the main chain to enhance Ethereum's scalability. This achieved lower gas fees and higher throughput, effectively increasing the available block space for decentralized applications (DApps). However, the rapid expansion of different L2 solutions led to fragmentation issues, where applications on individual L2s could not effectively communicate or share liquidity.

The fragmentation issue hinders scalability and user adoption, limiting the potential for unified growth. Users feel confused when switching between different platforms, while developers struggle to maintain compatibility across various systems.

(2) The Birth of Optimism Superchain

In this maze, Optimism launched the OP Stack, a modular open-source framework designed to coordinate these different layers and inject cohesion—Superchain. The mission of Superchain is to transform isolated scaling solutions into a unified ecosystem where developers can seamlessly build.

The modularity of OP Stack supports shared standards and interoperability, significantly reducing development time and creating a collaborative environment. By providing a common foundation, it accelerates innovation and simplifies the cross-platform user experience.

Previously isolated projects on different L2s can now interoperate effortlessly, enhancing functionality and expanding the user base without compromising security or efficiency.

(3) Base

Coinbase launched the L2 network Base, based on OP Stack. With lightning-fast transactions and minimal fees, Base quickly became a magnet for attracting decentralized applications (dApps) and developers. Its integration with Coinbase's extensive user base provides an entry point for millions into the Superchain ecosystem.

The rapid adoption of Base highlights the power of institutional support combined with innovative technology. By leveraging Coinbase's reputation and resources, Base demonstrates how strategic partnerships can accelerate the internal network effects of Superchain.

Popular dApps are migrating to Base to take advantage of its performance and user coverage, resulting in increased transaction volume and a surge in active users within Superchain.

(4) Uniswap's Entry into Unichain

Decentralized exchange giant Uniswap recognized the appeal of Superchain and launched Unichain—a rollup specifically designed as a liquidity hub for Superchain. With a cumulative trading volume exceeding one trillion dollars and a large user base, this move marks a key shift towards ecosystem integration.

The liquidity fragmentation issue has long been a challenge for DeFi. By integrating liquidity within Superchain, Unichain enhances capital efficiency and reduces slippage for traders. This initiative benefits not only Uniswap but also strengthens Superchain by centralizing financial activities.

Traders experience improved price stability and reduced trading costs, while liquidity providers benefit from increased trading activity on Unichain.

(5) Worldcoin Launches World Chain to Initiate a Verification Revolution

Under the leadership of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Worldcoin deployed World Chain on Superchain. World Coin aims to verify the identities of millions of unique address users, representing the most ambitious Web3 verification system to date.

Verification is crucial for compliance and user trust in decentralized networks. The integration of World Chain provides a scalable solution for proof of personhood, supporting secure, private, and verifiable identities. This advancement enhances the security of dApps and fosters user confidence.

Applications requiring verification, such as decentralized finance platforms and voting systems, benefit from seamless integration with World Chain, reducing fraud while enhancing user engagement.

(6) Kraken Ink

Kraken announced the launch of its own L2 solution, Ink, based on OP Stack. Ink positions itself as a direct competitor to Base, but both benefit from the rapidly growing influence of Superchain.

The entry of major exchanges like Kraken into the L2 space intensifies competition but also contributes to the reliability of Superchain. Ink aims to leverage Kraken's extensive user base and industry expertise to drive adoption and innovation within the ecosystem.

Kraken's integration allows users to easily transition between trading on the exchange and DeFi activities on Ink, enhancing user engagement and liquidity within the ecosystem.

2. The Rise of Superchain

Superchain has not only attracted key players but has also become the gravitational center of the Ethereum L2 universe. While Optimism may lag behind Arbitrum and Polygon in terms of TVL, the combined strength of Superchain participants is enough to overshadow competitors.

Superchain Address and Activity Trends

(1) New Addresses

Base has driven explosive growth in new addresses, particularly adding nearly 20 million new addresses in September 2024. This trend highlights Base's role as the primary gateway to Superchain, likely benefiting from its user-friendly access and Coinbase's brand influence.

(2) Unique Addresses

Superchain boasts over 100 million unique addresses, with Base being a major contributor. This steady upward trend underscores the growing adoption rate and Superchain's success in attracting a diverse and active user base. However, it indicates that user growth relies on Base, meaning other chains may need to offer unique products or services to achieve similar appeal.

(3) Active Addresses

The number of active users peaked at 20 million in September, primarily on Base. This indicates high daily engagement, positioning Base as the central hub for interactions within Superchain. The relatively low activity on Optimism suggests that most user stickiness is concentrated on Base rather than other Superchain networks.

(4) ETH Transfer Volume

In terms of daily ETH transfer volume, Base has consistently outperformed Optimism, with a peak transfer volume of 14 million transactions in August. This trend indicates that Base is the preferred chain for ETH transactions, likely due to its lower fees and fast processing speeds, making it attractive for high-frequency trading.

3. Thoughts on the Transformation of Superchain

The story unfolding is so thought-provoking and transformative that I believe we are witnessing the beginning of a new era in blockchain technology. Here are my thoughts:

(1) Unified Purpose

Optimism Superchain represents a shift from competition to collaboration. Giants like Coinbase, Uniswap, and Kraken are allying under a shared framework, heralding the arrival of a new era of collaborative innovation.

(2) The Victory of Network Effects

Superchain effectively leverages network effects, creating a feedback loop that amplifies value for all participants. This synergy renders traditional isolated approaches obsolete.

(3) Redefining Value Alignment

Optimism's mission of "forking capitalism" resonates deeply. By aligning cross-chain incentive mechanisms through revenue sharing and open governance, Superchain reimagines the creation and distribution of value.

(4) The Next Wave is Coming

Projects like World Chain indicate that Superchain is expanding beyond technology; it is using blockchain to extend human interfaces. Attracting the next wave of 100 million users is no longer a distant prospect but an imminent reality.

(5) The Future of Decentralized Finance

Unichain's liquidity integration addresses one of DeFi's most persistent challenges—the fragmentation issue. A unified liquidity pool can enhance efficiency, reduce slippage, and create a more resilient financial ecosystem.

4. Superchain Metrics

To build this exploration on visible data, let’s delve into the key metrics pointing to Superchain's dominance:

• Ecosystem Growth Rate: Superchain's development activity has increased by 200% year-over-year.
• Interoperability Milestone: The confirmation time for cross-chain transactions within Superchain has been reduced by 30%, greatly enhancing the user experience.
• Economic Alignment: The revenue-sharing model has injected over $50 million into the Optimism network through participating chains, driving further development.
• Enhanced Security: The modular OP Stack supports rapid deployment of security upgrades, reducing vulnerabilities by 40% compared to isolated L2 solutions.
• User Adoption: The Superchain network achieved a growth of 1 million users in cumulative user metrics just in the last quarter.

5. Future Prospects

All these developments are happening faster than I anticipated. We have stripped away layers of complexity and are now standing at a new frontier—a unified, scalable, and inclusive Ethereum ecosystem. Superchain is a renaissance of decentralized technology.

While Superchain is undeniably the leader among today's L2 scaling solutions, there is still a long way to go. The blockchain space is continuously evolving, and new innovations will emerge. However, as the network effects of Superchain continue to expand, its appeal will make it increasingly difficult for alternative solutions to shift the flow of innovation and user adoption.

Optimism's strategic consistency in technology, philosophy, and economic incentives not only sets the pace but is also redefining the game.

免责声明：本文章仅代表作者个人观点，不代表本平台的立场和观点。本文章仅供信息分享，不构成对任何人的任何投资建议。用户与作者之间的任何争议，与本平台无关。如网页中刊载的文章或图片涉及侵权，请提供相关的权利证明和身份证明发送邮件到support@aicoin.com，本平台相关工作人员将会进行核查。