Optimism’s Bold Move: Proposes 50% Superchain Revenue for Monthly OP Token Buybacks

Layer 2 heavyweight Optimism just dropped a bombshell governance proposal—one that could reshape its entire economic flywheel.

The Buyback Gambit

The core idea is simple, yet radical: divert a full half of all Superchain-generated revenue into a monthly market purchase of its native OP token. This isn't a one-off airdrop or a vague promise. It's a systematic, recurring capital allocation designed to directly tie protocol success to tokenholder value.

Engineering Scarcity

The mechanism is a classic deflationary play. By permanently removing bought-back tokens from circulation—likely sending them to a burn address or a dead-end treasury—the network actively reduces supply. In theory, this creates upward pressure on the remaining tokens, especially as Superchain adoption and fee revenue grow. It's a page straight from the corporate share repurchase handbook, albeit with more smart contracts and fewer boardroom theatrics.

The Superchain Engine

This all hinges on the Superchain's success. That's Optimism's vision of a unified network of interoperable Layer 2 chains, all sharing security, communication layers, and, crucially, this revenue model. If the ecosystem flourishes and transaction fees stack up, the buyback pool gets deeper. If it stumbles, the plan fizzles. It's a high-stakes bet on their own tech stack winning the scaling wars.

A Cynical Whisper

Let's be real—this is also a masterclass in incentive alignment. Propping up the token price isn't just good for holders; it supercharges the grants program, makes governance stakes more valuable, and generally makes the whole ecosystem look healthier on a chart. A rising token can paper over a multitude of development sins, at least for a quarterly earnings cycle or two. In crypto, perception often fuels the machine as much as code does.

The proposal now heads to a vote. If it passes, Optimism won't just be building infrastructure—it'll be actively trading it.

TLDR

• Optimism proposes 50% of Superchain revenue be used for monthly OP buybacks.
• Governance vote on OP buyback program scheduled for January 22.
• Buybacks may begin in February, returning tokens to the Optimism treasury.
• The Superchain currently processes 13% of all crypto transactions.

The Optimism Foundation has submitted a governance proposal to use 50% of Superchain revenue for recurring OP token buybacks. If approved, the program will begin in February 2026 and continue for a 12-month pilot period.

The proposal was first posted in the Optimism governance forum on January 8. It aims to tie the OP token more closely to the usage and growth of the Superchain, which now processes over 13% of all on-chain crypto transactions.

LATEST:The Optimism Foundation is proposing monthly OP token buybacks using 50% of Superchain revenue, which has totaled 5,868 ETH over the past year, with purchased tokens potentially burned or distributed as staking rewards. pic.twitter.com/d6AHldYFZ0

— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) January 8, 2026

Michael Vander Meiden, a member of the Optimism Grants Council, shared the update via X (formerly Twitter), stating, “After many years of being a ‘useless gov token’ the value of the OP token will finally be tied to network activity.”

Superchain Revenue to Fund Token Buybacks

The revenue comes from sequencer fees collected by Superchain chains, such as Base, OP Mainnet, Ink, and Unichain. These chains use Optimism’s OP Stack and share part of their earnings under existing agreements.

In the past 12 months, these revenues totaled 5,868 ETH, which was directed to the treasury managed by Optimism governance. Under the new plan, half of future monthly revenue WOULD be used to purchase OP tokens from the market.

The tokens bought would not be distributed immediately. Instead, they would be held in the treasury for future use. The Foundation noted that options for these tokens include burning them, using them in staking programs, or allocating them to ecosystem incentives.

OP’s Role May Expand Beyond Governance

Historically, the OP token served primarily as a governance token. The Foundation stated that this design no longer matches the scale of the Superchain, which now holds over 60% of the LAYER 2 fee market share.

Optimism intends for this proposal to be the first step in redefining the role of OP. In the future, the token may be used for functions such as infrastructure coordination, sequencer rotation, or shared governance mechanisms.

The Foundation stated, “The OP token should be aligned with that momentum and growth.” The goal is to create a system where increased Superchain usage generates direct value for OP holders.

Governance to Vote on January 22

A community call is scheduled for January 12 to discuss the proposal with stakeholders. The formal vote will take place on January 22. If the proposal passes, the monthly buybacks will start in February 2026.

The purchases would be executed in a manner that avoids market disruption, according to the Foundation. The treasury would retain all purchased tokens until further governance decisions are made regarding their use.

The Foundation described this as a pilot program, noting that the structure and parameters may be reviewed over time. Governance would continue to oversee and adjust the process as the network and its needs evolve.

Future Utility Tied to Superchain Growth

The Superchain was launched in February 2023 as a network of layer 2 blockchains built using the OP Stack. As it grows, the revenue generated has also increased.

Optimism believes that OP should reflect the scale of the Superchain’s adoption. “The token may take on additional functionality aligned with the network’s long-term decentralization and resilience,” the Foundation wrote in its governance post.

The proposed buyback program represents a shift in the token’s function, moving toward a model where OP plays a larger role in the economic and operational structure of the Optimism ecosystem.