Optimizing for cooperation to shape the new internet on Ethereum.
Optimism scales Ethereum by enabling fast, low-cost transactions while inheriting its security and preserving decentralization. Initially launched as a single Layer 2, Optimism has evolved into the Superchain—a unified network of OP-governed blockchains powered by the open-source OP Stack and grounded in Ethereum’s principles of decentralization and collaboration.
The Superchain fosters shared security, governance, and standards. It horizontally connects chains to drive scalability, innovation, and seamless interaction across the ecosystem, offering a cohesive experience for users and developers.
As teams tackle technical scalability, it is increasingly clear that Ethereum’s growth also relies on its social and economic frameworks. To unlock its full potential, the Superchain must advance alignment structures to strengthen ecosystem collaboration.
This report, created by PrimeDAO and Superchain Eco as part of the Token Engineering Superchain Grants Round: Summer/Fall, examines current collaboration frameworks and explores tools and trends to accelerate the Superchain and Ethereum ecosystems.
Special thanks to TEC for hosting the Token Engineering round and everyone who contributed through discussions and writing.
Collaboration Frameworks within the Superchain
The current Superchain collaboration framework highlights a dynamic ecosystem fueled by intra-Superchain partnerships and Ethereum-wide initiatives. Collaboration within the Superchain operates as a positive-sum game, where the success of one chain benefits the entire ecosystem. Members contribute 15% of on-chain profits or 2.5% of sequencer revenue, aligning individual growth with the broader Superchain goals.
Collaboration primarily focuses on aligning economic incentives and technical standards across member chains. Currently, the OP Foundation and Optimism Collective lead these efforts. The OP Foundation provides strategic grants to drive Superchain development, while the Collective supports initiatives like the Support the Superchain Program, Superchain Delegation Program, and Retro Funding. Together, they foster shared goals of scalability, decentralization, and innovation.
Native inter-superchain collaborations are also emerging and are driven by OP Chains themselves. Programs like the SuperGreen Airdrop campaign and Celo's Layer 2 hard fork transition exemplify OP Chains' ability to collaborate independently. Combined with Foundation-led initiatives, these efforts accelerate the creation of a scalable, secure, and user-owned internet that connects builders and users meaningfully.
Collaboration extends beyond the Superchain. The Ethereum Interop Forum (EIF), held at Devcon 2024, brought together key contributors such as Optimism, Arbitrum, and Polygon to address fragmentation and advance interoperability across Layer 2 solutions. The Superchain aligns its development with the broader Ethereum community by engaging in such initiatives, ensuring cohesive progress toward a decentralized, user-owned internet.
As 2025 begins, the Superchain enters a new phase of collaboration and impact, building on its foundation to drive innovation and connectivity across the ecosystem.
OP Foundation collaborations
The OP Foundation is dedicated to onboarding legacy companies to the Superchain and advancing a user-owned internet. The Foundation aligns projects with Superchain goals through strategic grants while fostering growth and innovation.
In 2023 and 2024, key grants were awarded to major players like Coinbase and Kraken. Coinbase’s Layer 2 blockchain, Base, received up to 118 million OP tokens vested over six years. Kraken’s Layer 2, Ink, was granted 25 million OP tokens to support its development and enhance DeFi accessibility.
Optimism Collective Collaboration
The Optimism Collective and Governance are evolving from managing a single blockchain to overseeing a unified standard across multiple Superchain chains. This governance framework fosters collaboration, ensuring alignment with the Superchain's goals of decentralization, scalability, and security.
Season 6, which ended in December 2024, marked a pivotal step in decentralizing governance and empowering OP Chains to advance collective goals. Key initiatives included:
Support the Superchain Program
This program enabled Superchain members to request OP tokens for ecosystem grants.
Superchain Delegation Program
This initiative integrated OP Chains into governance, allowing them to influence decisions based on adherence to OP Stack configurations, transaction volumes, and revenue contributions.
Retro Funding
Retro Funding rewards contributors for measurable impact, adhering to the principle of "impact = profit."
In 2025, Retro Funding will focus on Dev Tooling, Onchain Builders, and OP Stack contributions to strengthen the Superchain’s infrastructure and interoperability. By prioritizing impactful, long-term contributions, Retro Funding advances the mission of building a user-owned internet where collaboration and innovation are rewarded fairly. This change ensures more predictable rewards and better alignment with contributors’ efforts.
The emergence of native-Superchain Collaboration
The Superchain is evolving into a more decentralized and self-sustaining ecosystem. While the Optimism Collective and Foundation have traditionally driven coordination, direct collaboration between OP Chains is now emerging, strengthening the ecosystem’s decentralization and scalability.
The Super Green Airdrop CampaignMint, Kroma, and Ancient8 collaborated on the SuperGreen Airdrop Campaign to promote sustainability and growth in Web3. This initiative engaged users across all three platforms, fostering active participation and alignment with the Superchain’s mission of creating an inclusive, thriving decentralized ecosystem. The campaign underscores how collaborative efforts drive shared success and user engagement.
Celo L2 Hardfork transition
The Superchain’s collaborative nature was evident during Celo’s Layer 2 transition. When Coinbase announced it would not support the migration and planned to delist Celo’s native token (CGLD) by January 2025, Kraken and its Layer 2 chain, Ink, stepped in to assist. Kraken’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for Celo users highlights the Superchain’s ethos of mutual support and dedication to Ethereum scaling. In return, Celo has been sharing key learning from their L1 to L2 transition for future OP chains to follow.
Optimizing for Cooperation: Emerging Tools and Trends
The Superchain aims to create a network where every chain contributes to and benefits from the collective success of the ecosystem.
Expanding existing Superchain-wide programs and introducing new initiatives like token swaps (on which we made a detailed analysis), joint ventures (JVs), and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can align more chains and contributors with the Superchain’s shared mission. These tools are instrumental in harmonizing economic and social incentives across the ecosystem.
As identified in our research report, Token swaps enable chains to diversify their treasuries, reducing reliance on single networks and increasing resilience to market volatility. Beyond financial benefits, token swaps also grant governance rights across ecosystems, aligning interests and fostering shared decision-making processes. This mutual governance influence builds trust and deepens collaboration, laying the groundwork for lasting partnerships.
JVs provide another pathway for cooperation by allowing chains to pool resources and expertise to tackle shared challenges. These collaborations can result in the development of new tools and infrastructure that benefit the entire ecosystem. Additionally, shared efforts can attract builders and projects by creating a more dynamic and innovative environment within the Superchain, enabling progress that no single chain could achieve independently.
M&A presents a strategic opportunity for the Superchain and other L2 ecosystems to enhance its talent base and drive ecosystem-wide collaboration, as also noticed in the M&A for Arbitrum DAO proposal by Areta. By acquiring teams with niche expertise—such as cryptography, modular architecture, or developer tools—the Superchain can bridge skill gaps, retain innovators, and accelerate development. Integrating these teams and technologies promotes synergy, breaks down silos, and strengthens the Superchain’s position as a hub for innovation and talent.
Looking ahead, leveraging token swaps, JVs, and M&A will enable deeper alignment across the Superchain, empowering chains to co-develop infrastructure, optimize financial incentives, and coordinate on shared goals. These collaborative efforts will create a unified ecosystem where innovation thrives, resilience is strengthened, and the vision of a decentralized, user-owned internet becomes a reality.
Catalyzing cross-superchain innovation
Season 7 focuses on interoperability, aiming to achieve $250M monthly in Stage 1 cross-chain asset transfers across the Superchain. While technical advancements progress rapidly, the social and economic layers remain underdeveloped. Building a unified Superchain requires technical solutions, aligned incentives, and shared values across the ecosystem. Achieving this alignment will require deeper coordination and collaboration from all stakeholders.
As Superchain Eco, we are committed to accelerating the ecosystem by serving as a resource and coordination hub, promoting sustainable and collaborative practices across stakeholder groups. Guided by optimism, we aim to enhance social and economic cohesion within the Collective.
Looking ahead to 2025, our mission is clear: strengthen the Superchain into a thriving, interconnected network that fosters meaningful participation and collective success. By driving this evolution, we are advancing the vision of a decentralized, user-owned internet—one that not only connects chains but also brings builders and users closer to a more open, accessible, and equitable digital future.
