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2026

Optimism

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<p>Optimism is proposing a structural change that ties its token directly to network activity and Superchain revenue.</p>
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  <span>Summary</span>
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   <li>Optimism proposes using 50% of Superchain revenue for OP buybacks.</li>
   <li>The program would launch in February pending a Jan. 22 governance vote.</li>
   <li>OP tokens bought would return to the treasury for future governance use.</li>
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<p>Optimism is moving towards a model that would see OP transition from a purely governance token.</p>
<p>In a Jan. 8 <a href="https://www.optimism.io/blog/op-token-buybacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">blog post</a>, the Optimism Foundation outlined a governance proposal that would direct half of all incoming Superchain revenue toward buying Optimism (<a href="https://crypto.news/price/optimism/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">OP</a>) tokens on a recurring basis, with the program set to begin in February if approved.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="turning-superchain-revenue-into-op-demand">Turning Superchain revenue into OP demand</h2>
<p>The proposal centers on revenue generated by the Superchain, a growing network of layer-2 chains built using the OP Stack. These include Base, OP Mainnet, Unichain, World Chain, Ink, Soneium, and others. Each chain contributes a share of sequencer revenue back to Optimism under existing agreements.</p>
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<p>Over the past 12 months, that revenue totaled 5,868 ETH, all of which has flowed into a governance-controlled treasury. As Superchain usage has expanded, that pool has grown alongside it. The Foundation now wants to formalize a link between that activity and the OP token.</p>
<p>Under the plan, 50% of new monthly <a href="https://crypto.news/base-dominates-defi-transactions-optimism-leads-cross-chain-volume/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">revenue</a> would be used to buy OP tokens over a 12-month pilot period. The remaining half would continue to fund Foundation operations and ecosystem growth.</p>
<p>Purchases are expected to be executed in a way that limits market disruption, with tokens returned to the Collective’s treasury rather than distributed immediately.</p>
<p>Governance would retain control over what happens next. Options include burning the tokens, allocating them to future staking programs, or using them for other ecosystem incentives as the Superchain matures.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="a-shift-in-op-s-role">A shift in OP’s role</h2>
<p>Until now, OP has largely functioned as a governance token, with value tied loosely to adoption of the OP Stack. The Foundation argues that this structure no longer fits the scale Optimism has reached.</p>
<p>The Superchain currently accounts for more than 60% of layer 2 fee market share and processes about 13% of total on-chain transactions. The proposal frames buybacks as a way to let that usage feed directly back into OP, rather than stopping at treasury accumulation.</p>
<p>The Foundation described the move as an early step, not a final design. Future changes could expand OP’s role into areas such as shared infrastructure coordination or sequencer-related functions, with the buyback mechanism positioned as a starting point rather than a complete overhaul.</p>
<p>Discussion around the proposal is ongoing in Optimism’s governance forum. A community call with Optimism leadership is scheduled for Jan. 12, ahead of a formal vote on Jan. 22. If approved, the buyback program would begin shortly after.</p>
<p>OP is down 87% year-over-year and more than 90% from its 2024 all-time high. The new proposal could help boost the token’s price.</p>
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Optimism submits proposal to use 50% of Superchain revenue for OP buybacks

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