Optimism adjusts reward strategy: 50% of Superchain revenue for OP buyback

Governance Optimism yesterday approved an ambitious initiative focused on increasing the value and utility of the OP token. The new strategy allocates half of all revenue generated by the Superchain to monthly token buybacks, representing a significant shift in how these earnings are distributed. The decision was made with strong community support: 33.27% of votes in favor, only 3.23% against, and 3.95% abstaining. Starting from February of this year, all Superchain revenues, originally directed into a community-managed treasury, will be half used for buybacks.

Revolution in Superchain Revenue Allocation

This move signifies a fundamental change in how Optimism manages the income generated by its Layer-2 ecosystem. The Superchain, a network of unified blockchains built on the open-source OP Stack, includes key projects such as Sony Soneium, Unichain, Ink, and Coinbase Base. Each of these chains contributes Ether (ETH) through sequential fees, creating a steady stream of revenue. The Optimism Foundation initially proposed the initiative on January 8 with the goal of aligning the platform’s economic outcomes more closely with the value of its native token. The aim was to directly connect ecosystem growth with the interests of OP token holders.

Buyback Mechanics and the Role of OP in the Reward Ecosystem

The buyback will be conducted monthly via an OTC provider, who will convert Ethereum into OP tokens. The accumulated tokens will remain in the treasury, opening pathways for various future applications. According to calculations by the Optimism Foundation, last year’s Superchain revenue would have resulted in approximately 2,700 ETH allocated for buybacks—at current ETH prices, about $5.24 million. However, this allocation is not just a one-time purchase; strategically, it creates room for rewarding participants who contribute to network security, burning tokens to reduce supply, or funding ambitious ecosystem expansions. Bobby Dresser, CEO of the Optimism Foundation, emphasized that the approval marks an “exciting beginning in expanding the role of OP” and that the program “aligns token value with the success of the Superchain ecosystem.”

Market Reality and Challenges of the New Model

Despite this positive step and long-term ambitions, market sentiment does not yet reflect the expected optimism. According to the latest data from February 13, OP is trading at $0.18, with a 24-hour increase of +1.39%. This represents a certain shift, given that the token has historically responded cautiously to similar initiatives. The gap between fundamental improvements and market perception illustrates how complex crypto market reactions to governance decisions can be.

Future of Rewarding in the Superchain Ecosystem

The approved proposal sets a precedent for how Layer-2 ecosystems should integrate revenue with reward systems for their stakeholders. Whether through token burning, developer incentives, or tangible rewards, Optimism now has a clear strategy to realize this vision. The initiative also signals to the Optimism community that their voice is heard and that governance mechanisms are functioning in the interest of long-term network development. In the competitive landscape of Layer-2 solutions, this could be a key differentiator.