What is the Superchain? A Deep Dive Into OP Stack Rollups
Written by Vinny Mullin
Reviewed by Alchemy
The Optimism Superchain is a growing family of OP Stack rollups. These are Layer 2 chains that help Ethereum handle more transactions while keeping everything secure and working well together. The OP Stack is like a shared toolkit that helps all these chains work in similar ways, making them easier to use for both developers and users.
This article looks at how the Superchain is built, how it helps different chains talk to each other, and how projects can create their own Layer 2 rollups using Alchemy's tools.
What is the Optimism Superchain?
The Optimism Superchain connects many Layer-2 solutions (L2s) that are built using the OP Stack. All chains in this network share important features like bridges, governance, upgrades, and security with Optimism Mainnet.
Think of the Superchain as a family of blockchains that all follow similar rules. This makes it easier for everyone to use the same tools, even though each chain can be set up differently. Using the OP Stack helps reduce risks and makes development easier for everyone in the network.
When all these L2 chains share security systems, communication methods, and open-source technology, they become more like interchangeable parts of a bigger system. For users, this means it doesn't matter much whether they're using Chain A or Chain B - the experience feels similar.
The goal is to make moving between chains so smooth that users feel like they're using one big "Superchain" rather than many separate blockchain networks.
Many Superchain Layer 2s, including Base, Ink, Soneium, Unichain and World Chain, rely on infrastructure providers like Alchemy to deliver developer tools, APIs, and scalable L2 node support.
The Optimism Superchain is leading the way in Optimism's plan to help Ethereum handle more transactions. For new rollups, it’s a chance to launch with fewer technical hurdles by plugging into shared tools, bridges, and upgrades. And because all chains in the Superchain follow the same basic structure, the Superchain aims to scale Ethereum while removing fragmentation.
How Does the Superchain Work?
The Superchain works by having all its chains use the same bridge contract that connects with Ethereum. This means that tokens sent to any OP Chain have the same security protections.
The Superchain at a Glance
Because all OP chains use the same bridge contract, the entire Superchain uses Ethereum as its foundation and final settlement layer. With Ethereum serving this role, any node on any OP chain can check transaction ordering across all OP chains.
In simple terms, OP Chain 1 can verify if a transaction happened on OP Chain 4 by checking Ethereum timestamps. This shared transaction ordering across all chains is essential for keeping the network secure and making chains work well together.
How Does the OP Stack Work?
To understand the Superchain, it’s important to know that the OP Stack is the modular toolkit that powers all chains in the Optimism Superchain. It's built in layers that work together like building blocks, making it flexible for different needs while keeping all chains compatible.
The OP Stack has five main layers:
Sequencing: This part collects and organizes user transactions. Right now, each chain typically has one sequencer handling this job, though this may change as the system evolves.
Data Availability: This is where all the raw transaction data is stored. Most OP chains use Ethereum for this, ensuring everything is traceable and secure.
Derivation: This layer takes the raw data and prepares it for processing. It uses rollup technology to bundle transactions efficiently.
Execution: This is where transactions actually happen and change the blockchain's state. It uses the same Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) as Ethereum, making it compatible with existing apps.
Settlement: This layer helps other blockchains verify what's happening on an OP Stack chain. It uses a system called "attestation-based fault proof" to ensure everything is legitimate.
Alchemy provides robust support for developers working with the OP Stack through its Rollups-as-a-Service (RaaS) platform. When building on any Superchain rollup, developers can leverage Alchemy's tools to interact with each layer of the stack more efficiently, reducing the technical complexity of launching and maintaining OP Stack-based chains.
Configurable OP Chain Characteristics
Let's look at how OP chains can be customized to fit different needs.
1. Configurable Options
With the Optimism Bedrock upgrade, each OP chain can choose its own settings. These include:
Which data availability (DA) provider to use.
What type of rollup to be (ZK-rollups or optimistic rollups).
Which sequencer address to use (currently limited to one sequencer per chain).
All these custom settings are stored on Ethereum in Optimism's bridge contracts. This includes things like chain ID, gas limits, and data availability addresses.
2. L2 Bridge Contract
Once these settings are stored on Ethereum, a factory function can set up the L2 bridge contract on the new OP chain. This means developers can create their own custom OP chain without having to write bridge contracts from scratch. As a bonus, all chains in the Superchain inherit the same security standards.
The L1 bridge contracts (on Ethereum) that all OP chains share are owned by the Optimism Collective and can be upgraded when needed.
3. Custom Sequencer
Each OP chain can choose its own sequencer, which helps make the system more decentralized and resistant to censorship. If a sequencer acts badly and tries to block transactions, developers can bypass it by submitting directly to the OP Chain's L1 inbox, keeping the network accessible and fair.
How Does the Optimism Superchain Interoperate with Other L2s?
Once an OP chain's settings are synced, an Optimism node can figure out the state of that chain in a permissionless and secure way. This allows different chains in the Superchain network to communicate easily.
Thanks to the factory function and shared bridge contracts, Optimism nodes can calculate any connected OP chain's state as long as they have a connection to an L1 node. This enables messaging between all the chains in the Superchain network.
The Superchain uses tools like the OP Supervisor to help OP Stack chains read each other's state. This connection allows for easy transfer of tokens and data between chains. To learn more about cross-chain messaging and transfers, including using the SuperchainERC20 standard, click here.
This has many useful applications. For example, a DeFi app on one OP Chain could access liquidity from many other OP chains. This increases interoperability and available funds for chains built with the OP Stack.
Projects Building on the Optimism Superchain
The Optimism Superchain has gained strong support from L2 developers, especially after Coinbase launched its L2 solution called Base. This Ethereum Layer 2 rollup shows how the OP Stack can be used for mainstream applications and sets an example for others to follow.
Beyond Base, the Superchain ecosystem continues to grow with innovative chains like Ink, Soneium, Unichain, and World Chain. These projects use Alchemy's tools and infrastructure for their development. Alchemy provides reliable APIs, developer tools, and node infrastructure that these chains need to perform well.
As more projects join the OP Stack framework, users can move easily between chains, and developers can focus on building great applications instead of worrying about the underlying technology. This is helping Ethereum's Layer 2 scaling solutions grow faster than ever.
Interested in launching your own OP Chain? Ambitious teams choose Alchemy for key reasons:
Reliable infrastructure trusted by the biggest names in Web3.
White-glove support and expert guidance every step of the way.
Access to 100+ APIs, Smart Wallets, Account Abstraction, and more, all instantly available on your chain.
Explore Alchemy's complete rollup platform for ambitious teams: alchemy.com/rollups
FAQ
What is the OP Stack?
The OP Stack is a modular framework that allows developers to build standardized Layer-2 rollups that remain Ethereum-compatible while enabling customization.
What is the Superchain?
The Optimism Superchain is a network of Layer-2 rollups built with the OP Stack that share security, bridging, governance, and upgrades while working together smoothly.
How does the OP Stack support Superchain rollups?
The OP Stack provides a standard framework so rollups can share the same bridge to Ethereum, allowing for unified security, transaction ordering, and easy cross-chain messaging.
Can I build OP Chains with Alchemy?
Yes, you can build and deploy OP Chains using Alchemy's comprehensive developer tools, APIs, and node infrastructure specifically designed for the Superchain ecosystem.
Is Alchemy compatible with other OP Stack chains?
Yes, Alchemy is fully compatible with other OP Stack chains.
