Velodrome, the largest decentralized exchange (DEX) and automated market maker (AMM) on Optimism, today launched Superswaps – on-chain infrastructure that enables native token swaps across the Superchain.
Optimism’s OP Mainnet is a Layer 2 (L2) scaling solution built to improve Ethereum’s speed and reduce costs. It is currently the third-largest Ethereum L2 by total value locked, with just under $3 billion TVL. The Superchain is Optimism’s multi-chain ecosystem built on the OP Stack.
The Superswaps infrastructure from Velodrome is designed to simplify token transfers across the networks that make up the Superchain, while helping projects maintain liquidity. The tool makes interoperability on the Superchain possible without the need to run separate bridges, token wrappers, or external liquidity pools, according to a press release viewed by The Defiant.
The infrastructure aims to address common challenges in cross-chain decentralized finance (DeFi): Tokens being stuck on one chain, bridges that aren’t fully secure or open, and blockchains that don’t work well together. Right now, moving a token to another chain can be difficult and sometimes risky.
The new tool underscores a broader push to simplify token exchange across blockchain networks – especially as DeFi platforms race to reduce the technical challenges, costs, and risks of cross-chain trading.
According to the release, traditional or “canonical” blockchain bridges are considered the safest option, but are oftentimes slow, leading to many protocols seeking faster alternatives.
“Superswaps brings a truly unified liquidity experience to the Superchain for the first time. Users can swap tokens across chains without friction,” Alexander Cutler, a core contributor at Velodrome, told The Defiant. “Protocols can launch liquidity on one chain and scale across the ecosystem,” Cutler added.
According to the release, Superswaps is built to work with different bridge systems and can adapt as new cross-chain technology develops. Velodrome’s team says this makes it easier to keep the system up to date.
“LPs can tap into cross-chain trading volume. And builders can easily integrate the best swap execution into their products,” Cutler said. “The future of the Superchain is one where everything just works, together.”
Velodrome serves as core infrastructure within the Optimism ecosystem, supporting Optimism’s broader goal of scalable, efficient on-chain activity. The Velodrome protocol first launched on June 2, 2022. A year later, it introduced Velodrome V2, a full redesign aimed at improving the user experience.
