The Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution formerly known as Optimism has officially rebranded to OP Mainnet, marking a strategic shift in identity and vision. Alongside the name change, a recent hard fork upgrade—dubbed Bedrock—has delivered measurable improvements, most notably slashing transaction fees by more than half and significantly boosting network activity. These developments position OP Mainnet as one of the most cost-efficient and scalable Layer 2 solutions in the Ethereum ecosystem.
This article explores the implications of the rebrand, analyzes the impact of the technical upgrade, and highlights why OP Mainnet is emerging as a leading contender in the race for Ethereum scalability.
Why the Rebrand to OP Mainnet?
On June 24, 2023, Optimism announced its official transition to OP Mainnet via a Twitter update. The change is more than cosmetic—it reflects a deliberate effort to distinguish between the blockchain itself and the broader community, culture, and governance framework once encapsulated under the "Optimism" name.
“It’s official: the chain formerly known as Optimism is now OP Mainnet! This distinction makes clear the delineation between the OP Mainnet blockchain and the Collective, vibe, and ethos that ‘Optimism’ encompasses.”
— Optimism (@Optimism)
By adopting the OP Mainnet identity, the team aims to clarify that “Optimism” now refers to the decentralized collective and ecosystem, while OP Mainnet represents the core blockchain infrastructure. This distinction becomes especially important within the context of the Superchain vision—an ambitious roadmap to unify multiple Layer 2 networks built using the OP Stack, an open-source modular framework.
Networks like Base (developed by Coinbase) and ZORA Network are already leveraging the OP Stack, reinforcing OP Mainnet’s role as the foundational chain in a growing ecosystem of interoperable Layer 2s.
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Bedrock Hard Fork: A Performance Breakthrough
The technical catalyst behind OP Mainnet’s recent surge in adoption was the Bedrock hard fork, implemented on June 7, 2023. This major upgrade was designed to enhance scalability, reduce costs, and improve security across the network.
Key improvements introduced by Bedrock include:
- Reduced transaction fees
- Faster deposit times from Ethereum L1
- Improved fault-proof mechanisms for security
- Optimized data compression for lower rollup costs
According to on-chain analytics firm Nansen, the results have been impressive. Following the upgrade, daily transactions on OP Mainnet nearly doubled—from under 300,000 to a peak of nearly 600,000 transactions by June 15. More importantly, gas fees dropped by over 50%, making user interactions significantly more affordable.
Nansen also identified the top protocols driving activity on OP Mainnet:
- Galxe (on-chain engagement platform)
- Circle (USDC issuer)
- Stargate Finance (cross-chain liquidity protocol)
- Perp Protocol (decentralized perpetuals exchange)
- Safe (multisig wallet)
- Uniswap (decentralized exchange)
- Velodrome Finance (automated market maker)
- 0x Project (decentralized exchange infrastructure)
- Tether (USDT issuer)
These platforms collectively account for the majority of transaction volume, indicating strong developer and user adoption across DeFi, NFTs, and cross-chain applications.
OP Mainnet: The Cheapest Ethereum L2 for Token Swaps?
Crypto research firm Messari confirmed the cost-saving impact of Bedrock in a June 24 analysis. Their data shows that overall network fees have decreased by approximately 47%, with individual transaction costs dropping by nearly 70%.
“.@optimismFND's Mainnet introduced the Bedrock upgrade, reducing fees by ~47% and decreasing deposit times. Gas fees per transaction dropped by approximately 70%, making Optimism Mainnet the cheapest #Eth L2 for token swaps.”
— Messari (@MessariCrypto)
This positions OP Mainnet as the most economical Layer 2 option for token swaps—a critical metric for traders, yield farmers, and everyday users who prioritize low-cost transactions. When compared to other major L2s like Arbitrum, zkSync Era, or Polygon zkEVM, OP Mainnet now offers some of the best cost-performance ratios in the market.
The efficiency gains are largely attributed to better data compression techniques and streamlined communication between L1 and L2 layers—hallmarks of the Bedrock architecture.
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The Road to the Superchain Vision
The rebrand and technical upgrades are not isolated events—they are key milestones in OP Mainnet’s broader Superchain vision. The goal is to create a network of interconnected Layer 2 chains that share security, messaging standards, and development tools via the OP Stack.
This modular approach allows developers to spin up new chains quickly while ensuring compatibility and seamless asset transfers across the ecosystem. As more projects adopt the OP Stack, OP Mainnet serves as both a model and a backbone for this expanding network.
The success of early adopters like Base demonstrates the viability of this model. With Coinbase’s backing and strong community traction, Base has rapidly become one of the most active L2 chains—further validating OP Mainnet’s foundational role.
Core Keywords
- OP Mainnet
- Layer 2 scaling
- Ethereum L2
- Bedrock upgrade
- transaction fees
- Superchain
- OP Stack
- gas fee reduction
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is OP Mainnet?
OP Mainnet is the primary Layer 2 blockchain built on the OP Stack, designed to scale Ethereum by processing transactions off-chain while maintaining security through Ethereum’s mainnet.
Why did Optimism change its name to OP Mainnet?
The rebrand separates the blockchain (OP Mainnet) from the broader ecosystem and community (Optimism), clarifying roles within the Superchain vision and emphasizing interoperability with other OP Stack-based chains.
How much have transaction fees dropped on OP Mainnet?
Following the Bedrock upgrade, gas fees per transaction have decreased by approximately 70%, making it one of the most affordable L2 networks for token swaps and smart contract interactions.
What is the Bedrock upgrade?
Bedrock is a major hard fork that improved OP Mainnet’s efficiency, reduced costs, shortened deposit times from Ethereum L1, and enhanced security through better fault-proof systems.
Is OP Mainnet secure?
Yes. OP Mainnet uses optimistic rollup technology with fraud proofs and inherits Ethereum’s security model. Transactions are batched and posted to Ethereum L1, ensuring censorship resistance and data availability.
How does OP Mainnet support the Superchain vision?
By open-sourcing the OP Stack, OP Mainnet enables developers to build compatible Layer 2 chains. These chains can interoperate seamlessly, forming a unified Superchain with shared standards and security.
👉 Learn how interoperable blockchain networks are driving the future of Web3.
Final Thoughts
The dual move of rebranding to OP Mainnet and successfully deploying the Bedrock upgrade marks a pivotal moment in Ethereum’s scaling journey. With transaction fees cut in half and network usage surging, OP Mainnet has proven its technical capabilities and user appeal.
More importantly, it’s laying the groundwork for a truly interconnected blockchain ecosystem—the Superchain—where multiple Layer 2s operate in harmony under shared infrastructure. As adoption grows and more chains join the network, OP Mainnet could become a central pillar in Ethereum’s path toward mass scalability.
For developers, traders, and crypto enthusiasts alike, OP Mainnet represents a powerful combination of low cost, high performance, and forward-looking architecture—making it a network worth watching in 2025 and beyond.