Optimism, an Ethereum-based layer 2 solution, signalled a shift from its long-running strategy of expanding the OP Stack.

On Nov. 27, the Defiant reported that co-founder and CEO Jing Wang said on social media platform X that the project had taken on too many tasks and lacked focus. He said the strategy of producing partner chains failed to respond to market changes.

Optimism plans to move from a simple chain supporter to a model that lets enterprises control their own economic structures. Wang said enterprises ultimately want to control their own economies and will not remain in platform-dependent structures like Stripe.

He did not mention specific methods.

Optimism emerged during the 2020 to 2021 surge in Ethereum transaction fees and gained attention by offering cheaper transactions. Projects such as Coinbase-led Base and Kraken Inc. launched OP Stack-based chains, giving them independent ecosystems compatible with Ethereum.

But a lack of strategy and rapid hiring pushed up costs. Wang said the team stayed too long in tactical execution and struggled with sustainability because it responded to the market without systematic operational infrastructure.

Subscribe to the Digital Today Telegram news channel.