Reserved blockspace is now live on OP Mainnet, introducing a stake-based ordering experiment that changes how transactions are prioritized.
Key points:
- The new system allows users to reserve blockspace based on their stake
- This represents a shift from traditional gas-based transaction ordering
- The experiment aims to improve transaction predictability and reduce MEV
This launch follows months of development and testing, with the team monitoring performance metrics closely.
Reserved blockspace is live on OP Mainnet with the stake-based ordering experiment. Find more details on our blog: optimism.io/blog/reserved-…
OP Labs Shifts to Direct Support Model for OP Stack Production Teams
OP Labs is transitioning away from third-party rollup-as-a-service provider support in favor of a direct relationship model. **Key Changes:** - Legacy support through third-party providers is being phased out - Teams seeking production support now work directly with OP Labs via **OP Enterprise** - Existing OP Enterprise chains continue without disruption This consolidation creates a single, clear support channel between development teams and the builders of the OP Stack. Teams can establish direct relationships with OP Labs for their production needs. [Read the full announcement](https://www.optimism.io/blog/a-more-direct-model-for-production-support-on-the-op-stack)
Ether.fi Launches on OP Mainnet

**Ether.fi has officially gone live on OP Mainnet**, bringing its liquid staking protocol to Optimism's Layer 2 network. **Key highlights:** - Users can now access ether.fi's staking services with faster transactions and lower fees on Optimism - The integration expands ether.fi's reach beyond Ethereum mainnet - Leverages Optimism's scalability for improved user experience This deployment marks another step in ether.fi's multi-chain expansion strategy, offering stakers more options for where they manage their ETH positions. [Read the full case study](https://www.optimism.io/case-studies/etherfi)
Ether.fi Migration Drives OP Mainnet to Record Transaction Volumes

**Ether.fi's migration to OP Mainnet continues to break records**, with daily spending reaching new highs since moving $220M in total value locked (TVL), 70,000 active cards, and 300,000 accounts to the network. **Key metrics:** - Transaction costs: fractions of a cent per transaction - Crypto card volume grew 10x in 90 days (March to May) - $12.7M in March → $128M in May - OP Mainnet now ranks #2 globally for crypto card volume, ahead of Solana, BSC, and Arbitrum The low transaction fees are enabling sustainable unit economics at scale, demonstrating that the infrastructure can support high-volume payment activity. OP Mainnet has climbed into the top 15 chains by TVL, with 84% growth in the last 30 days driven primarily by this migration. [Learn more about OP Mainnet](https://www.optimism.io/)
Ethereum Congestion Creates Two-Tier Transaction System

**Network congestion is creating a stark divide in Ethereum transaction processing.** Under sustained network load, eligible transactions continue to receive predictable inclusion times, while non-eligible transactions are experiencing delays exceeding 10 seconds. This two-tier system highlights the growing importance of transaction eligibility criteria during periods of high network activity. **Key implications:** - Eligible transactions maintain consistent processing times - Non-eligible transactions face significantly longer wait times (10+ seconds) - Network congestion reveals infrastructure priorities The pattern suggests Ethereum's infrastructure is prioritizing certain transaction types to maintain network stability during peak usage periods.