The Optimism Foundation has put forward a proposal that would introduce monthly buybacks of the OP token, marking a potential shift in how protocol revenue is used across the Superchain ecosystem. Under the plan, half of the revenue generated by Superchain networks would be redirected toward over the counter purchases of OP, with the stated goal of better aligning the token’s value with the growth of the broader network. Over the past year, Superchain activity has generated 5,868 ETH in revenue, all of which has so far been routed into a governance controlled treasury. The proposal frames buybacks as a mechanism to reinforce a feedback loop where network usage drives revenue, revenue supports development, and development fuels further adoption across Optimism powered chains.
If approved, the program would see OP tokens acquired monthly and returned to the treasury, where they could later be burned or redistributed through staking or other incentive mechanisms. Governance would retain control over how the tokens are ultimately used, as well as the parameters governing buyback execution. The foundation noted that buybacks would pause during months when revenue falls below a defined threshold or when transactions cannot be executed efficiently within preset cost limits. Over time, the process could move further onchain, reducing reliance on foundation led execution. The proposal reflects a growing trend among crypto projects to use protocol income more directly in support of token economics, particularly as criticism mounts over governance tokens that fail to capture the success of underlying networks.
Optimism’s position in the Ethereum scaling landscape gives added weight to the discussion. The Superchain includes several major Layer 2 networks and accounts for a dominant share of Ethereum L2 activity, benefiting from standardized infrastructure while preserving individual chain autonomy. Despite strong adoption, the OP token has lagged behind its historical highs, facing pressure from unlock schedules and broader skepticism around governance token value accrual. Supporters argue that a structured buyback program could help address this disconnect by tying token demand more closely to network performance. Whether the proposal passes will depend on community sentiment around treasury management, long term incentives, and the balance between reinvestment and tokenholder alignment as Optimism continues to scale.
