OP Mainnet

2 min read

Pronunciation

[oh-pee meyn-net]

Analogy

OP Mainnet is like a high-speed express lane running parallel to a major highway (Ethereum). The express lane handles much more traffic with lower tolls (fees) and faster travel times (confirmations), but still connects back to the main highway at regular checkpoints. The safety of the express lane is guaranteed by highway patrol officers (Ethereum validators) who monitor these checkpoints, ensuring that all express lane traffic follows the proper rules even though they don't directly control every vehicle on that lane.

Definition

The primary production network of the ecosystem, an scaling solution that uses to provide higher throughput and lower while inheriting 's security guarantees. OP Mainnet processes transactions while posting data to for security and availability.

Key Points Intro

OP Mainnet provides -compatible infrastructure with enhanced .

Key Points

Enables significantly lower transaction fees and higher throughput than Ethereum mainnet.

Maintains security by posting transaction data to Ethereum Layer 1.

Achieves near-complete Ethereum compatibility following the Bedrock upgrade.

Functions as the flagship implementation of the OP Stack, a modular rollup development framework.

Example

A user swapping tokens on Velodrome, a decentralized exchange on OP Mainnet, pays only a fraction of the they would on —perhaps $0.05 instead of $15 during moderate network conditions. The confirms within seconds rather than minutes, while still inheriting 's security guarantees through 's optimistic rollup design.

Technical Deep Dive

OP Mainnet implements the OP Stack architecture with several key components: (1) The using a modified client (currently based on Geth) with minimal changes needed for rollup functionality; (2) A rollup that derives the chain from data and ensures ; (3) The batch submitter that aggregates transactions and posts them to ; and (4) A bridge system for cross-chain asset and message transfers. Following the Bedrock upgrade, OP Mainnet significantly enhanced equivalence, introducing features like matching 's format, schedule, and precompiles. The network uses a modified fee market where costs include both and data availability , with novel approaches to fee estimation. data is compressed and posted to in batches, with techniques including brotli compression and calldata optimization to minimize costs. The canonical chain is derived from blocks, providing security guarantees tied directly to 's . For developers, OP Mainnet provides -compatible RPCs, allowing most tools like Hardhat, Foundry, and Ethers.js to work with minimal modification. Recent developments include the vision, where multiple chains including and OP Mainnet share security and interoperability through a common standard.

Security Warning

While OP Mainnet inherits many security properties from , it operates with additional trust assumptions, particularly around the sequencer service which is more centralized than 's . Consider these implications for applications requiring maximum censorship resistance.

Caveat

Despite high compatibility, subtle differences still exist between OP Mainnet and , particularly around accounting, , and cross-chain interactions. Applications designed specifically for might require adjustments when deployed to OP Mainnet, especially those using complex optimizations or depending on specific behaviors. Additionally, withdrawing funds to requires a waiting period (typically 7 days) due to the optimistic rollup security model.

Related Terms

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Glossary

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