OP buyback plan aims to link token value directly to network performance
Optimism has introduced a proposal that could significantly reshape the economics of the OP token, aiming to more closely align its value with real network activity. The plan would allocate a substantial portion of Superchain fee revenue toward systematic OP buybacks, marking a shift away from the token’s historically limited governance-only role.
Under the proposal, 50% of all Superchain revenue would be used for monthly OP token buybacks, with repurchased tokens returned to the treasury. These tokens could later be burned or redistributed as staking rewards, depending on future governance decisions. Oversight of the buyback parameters would remain firmly under onchain governance control.
Optimism Grants council member Michael Vander Meiden shared the proposal on Thursday;
Supporters argue this approach transforms OP from a passive governance asset into a token directly tied to ecosystem usage and growth.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to extend OP’s function beyond voting. As the Superchain matures, OP could play roles in securing shared infrastructure, coordinating sequencer rotation, and managing core protocol governance, reinforcing decentralization and resilience.
The Superchain currently accounts for 61.4% of layer-2 fee market share and processes 13% of all crypto transactions, figures that continue to rise. Proponents argue the OP token should reflect this momentum.Despite the proposal, OP remains under pressure after declining nearly 83% in 2025, with prices yet to respond materially to the announcement.
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