Definition ∞ The Optimism ecosystem refers to the collection of decentralized applications, protocols, and infrastructure built upon Optimism, a prominent Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum. It leverages optimistic rollups to process transactions off-chain, then bundles them and posts a concise summary to the Ethereum mainnet. This approach aims to significantly enhance Ethereum’s transaction throughput and reduce fees.
Context ∞ The Optimism ecosystem is a key component in the broader effort to scale Ethereum, addressing its limitations in transaction capacity and cost. Its growth and stability are closely watched in crypto news, as its success contributes to the overall usability and adoption of decentralized finance and other blockchain applications. Developments within this ecosystem directly impact the efficiency and accessibility of Ethereum-based digital assets.