Optimism plans to unify its Superchain with an interoperability layer

Optimism’s Superchain consists of 29 OP Stack chains today, soon to be unified through one interoperability layer

article-image

CryptoFX/Shutterstock and Adobe modified by Blockworks

share

Optimism announced on Monday a plan to create a native protocol layer solution that will solve the problem of liquidity fragmentation across its ecosystem of rollup chains, also referred to as the Superchain.

The layer-2 giant’s solution will unify its ecosystem through a “universal standard of interoperability.”

In a world where spinning up a rollup is as simple to do with a few clicks, issues of liquidity fragmentation and high-friction user experience remain as users require third-party bridges to jump from chain to chain.

The new Optimism multichain protocol layer will comprise four key components: A message passing protocol for cross-chain communication, a standardized SuperchainERC20 token standard for bridged assets, an interoperable chain set for all OP Stack rollup chains to read data from and lastly, a shared interop fault proof system which allows fault proofs between multiple chains.

Optimism’s native protocol layer will also leverage ERC-7683, a proposed standard by Uniswap and Across for cross-chain intents to facilitate interoperability on the dapp layer.

Read more from our opinion section: Interoperability isn’t just a buzzword

The rollout is planned over a three-stage roadmap. First, a devnet will be launched to gather feedback, followed by a testnet launch alongside the message passing protocol and SuperchainERC20 token standard.  Finally will come the mainnet launch.

The end goal is to create a unified experience not only between all Optimism chains but also across Ethereum, where users can enjoy the convenience of seamless cross-chain movements and the benefit of unified liquidity.

Optimism’s OP Stack has seen the highest traction between all other rollup development stacks, largely thanks to a crucial first-mover advantage that is key in an open-source network.

OP is an open-source and modular software development stack that builders use to deploy a customized rollup.

Optimism’s Superchain boasts 29 OP Stack chains — including Base, Blast and Zora — more than any other rollup development stack. Sam Altman-backed Worldcoin’s upcoming World Chain layer-2 is also slated to be launched using the OP Stack later this year.

All 29 chains account for 36.4% of all layer-2 transactions, as of August 2024, and control $16.57 billion of value in TVL, according to L2beat.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

  • Blockworks Daily: The newsletter that helps thousands of investors understand crypto and the markets, by Byron Gilliam.
  • Empire: Start your morning with the top news and analysis to inform your day in crypto.
  • Forward Guidance: Reporting and analysis on the growing intersection of crypto and macroeconomics, policy and finance.
  • 0xResearch: Alpha directly in your inbox. Market highlights, data, degen trade ideas, governance updates, token performance and more.
  • Lightspeed: Built for Solana investors, developers and community members. The latest from one of crypto’s hottest networks.
  • The Drop: For crypto collectors and traders, covering apps, games, memes and more.
  • Supply Shock: Tracking Bitcoin’s rise from internet plaything worth less than a penny to global phenomenon disrupting money as we know it.
Tags

Upcoming Events

Industry City | Brooklyn, NY

TUES - THURS, JUNE 24 - 26, 2025

Permissionless IV serves as the definitive gathering for crypto’s technical founders, developers, and builders to come together and create the future.If you’re ready to shape the future of crypto, Permissionless IV is where it happens.

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Research

article-image

The platform also rolled out 13 tokenized funds for institutions on the Connect platform

article-image

The company’s expanded lineup introduces new ETF products, as more and more issuers get into crypto funds

article-image

President Donald Trump announced a 10% levy on almost all goods and additional tariffs on so-called “worst offending” countries

article-image

Solana may be in “recomposition” mode, as new protocols put usefulness ahead of mere virality

article-image

The stablecoin issuer will have to contend with bigger players and the interest rates environment

article-image

The president reportedly was still working on his tariff policy plans late Tuesday evening