In the Superchain Takeover AMA, industry leaders from Mode Network, Frax Finance, Ink Chain, and BOB shared groundbreaking insights into their projects’ roles within the OP Superchain ecosystem. The discussion explored why these teams are building on Optimism’s modular framework, the integration of AI into DeFi strategies, and the challenges of modular rollups.

With topics ranging from Frax’s innovative block space incentives to Kraken’s integration with Ink, and upcoming mainnet launches, this AMA provided a comprehensive look at the future of DeFi infrastructure. Dive into the full recap for an insider’s view of the ideas, strategies, and roadmaps shaping tomorrow’s decentralized finance landscape.

X (Twitter) Spaces: The Superchain Takeover

Speakers:

• James Ross : Founder @ Mode Network
• Sam Kazemian: Founder @ Frax Finance
• Andrew Koller: Founder @ Ink Chain
• Alexei Zamyatin: Co-Founder @ BOB

Index:

1. Why Projects Choose to Build on OP Superchain
2. Frax’s Block Space Incentives: Preventing Gaming
3. AI Integration in DeFi
4. Kraken’s Integration with Ink
5. Challenges of Modular Rollups
6. Grant Programs and Builder Support
7. Balancing Centralization with Decentralization
8. Project Roadmaps

1. Why Projects Choose to Build on OP Superchain

• Sam (Frax):

"When we looked around, the OP stack stood out for its open culture. It’s like the Linux of blockchains. Unlike other ecosystems, where decisions are more gated, Optimism was open to discussions. We wanted to contribute to shaping the Superchain, knowing that it aligns perfectly with Ethereum's ethos. You build for tomorrow, not today, and the vision of the OP Superchain resonated with that."

• Andrew (Ink):

"The Optimism team delivers on their promises. It’s not just talk—their roadmap commitments are real, and their modularity vision lets every chain carve its own niche. We ran every stack out there before deciding, but it was their ethos and responsiveness that made it clear. In the Superchain, you can truly choose what to prioritize and have a voice in the roadmap, without empty promises."

• Alexei (Bob):

"Coming from Bitcoin, we’ve built on Polkadot and other stacks before. But when we chose the OP Superchain, it wasn’t just for the technology—it was the open-source culture, the collaboration, and the support from a growing ecosystem of builders. With Base, Kraken, and other big names joining, it was clear this ecosystem was best positioned to deliver world-class infrastructure and ensure time-to-market advantages."

• James (Mode):

"The modularity of the OP Superchain means every chain can find its niche without duplicating work. Knowing you’re part of a larger interoperable collective is a game-changer. For us, it’s about letting developers experiment aggressively while users benefit from seamless cross-chain functionality within the Superchain ecosystem."

2. Frax’s Block Space Incentives: Preventing Gaming

• Sam (Frax):

"We designed block space incentives to reward genuine contributions, not gaming. The system distributes rewards based on historical gas usage, using time-weighted averages to ensure fairness. Think of it like Bitcoin mining: the more real activity on the chain, the harder it is to manipulate. If someone tries to game the system, they’d need to sustain artificial activity over time, which becomes exponentially expensive. This ensures incentives go to meaningful projects, not empty transactions."

3. AI Integration in DeFi

• James (Mode):

"AI agents are about democratizing access to complex strategies. Most users don’t have the time or expertise to navigate slippage, arbitrage, or fractured liquidity. Our goal is to teach agents how to handle these so users can access robust DeFi strategies with a single click. It’s about scaling DeFi beyond its tribal silos, where only seasoned participants thrive, and making it accessible for the next generation."

• Sam (Frax):

"The future is AI-led financial management. Agents will abstract UIs entirely. You’ll simply type what you want—‘manage my funds’—and the AI will structure the transaction, showing you the result to approve. That’s the world we’re building for, where AI drives accessibility and automation across financial systems."

4. Kraken’s Integration with Ink

• Andrew (Ink):

"With Kraken’s 10 million-strong user base, we’re uniquely positioned to onboard users into DeFi seamlessly. Security and usability are key—whether it’s off-chain to on-chain transitions or shared liquidity pools. Our priority is to provide Circleback DeFi: one-click deployment for complex positions, reducing the friction and risk associated with traditional on-chain workflows."

5. Challenges of Modular Rollups

• Sam (Frax):

"Our mission is to push the limits of performance while maintaining decentralization and interoperability. We’re working on real-time blocks, parallelized EVM computation, and a million-gas capacity—all without breaking OP stack compatibility. The challenge is balancing these advancements while ensuring we don’t fracture liquidity or compromise Ethereum’s core principles. It’s about maximizing every strength the Superchain offers."

• Andrew (Ink):

"The difficulty is ensuring interoperability as we push performance. Shared liquidity and seamless cross-chain operations are non-negotiable. But the modularity of the OP stack gives us the flexibility to maintain user accessibility and explore innovations like sub-second block times."

6. Grant Programs and Builder Support

• James (Mode):

"We’ve shifted to a gauge system, where builders receive OP incentives every two weeks. Beyond that, we connect new protocols with established ones to align their incentives and foster collaboration. The goal is to create a hyper-collaborative ecosystem where everyone builds and grows together."

• Sam (Frax):

"Frax is all-in on supporting builders. From grants and investments to protocol-on-liquidity partnerships, we go beyond traditional support. We’re hands-on and deeply technical, working closely with projects that share our vision for scalable, decentralized financial systems."

• Andrew (Ink):

"Our grants program is nearly ready. We’ve been working tirelessly, talking to hundreds of teams, and we’re committed to ensuring that no builder feels unsupported. If you’re building with us, reach out, and we’ll figure it out."

7. Balancing Centralization with Decentralization

• Alexei (Bob):

"The OP Superchain creates a delicate balance. With players like Base and Kraken, you have incredible distribution advantages, but the modularity ensures users can switch chains easily. This openness prevents centralization from becoming a bottleneck while allowing differentiated chains to thrive in their niches."

• Andrew (Ink):

"The beauty of the Superchain is its self-policing nature. If anyone deviates from the ethos of decentralization, the community will hold them accountable. Our responsibility is to stay true to that ethos while offering the best possible user experience."

8. Project Roadmaps

• Sam (Frax):

"In December, we’re unveiling our biggest roadmap yet, packed with performance upgrades, real-time blocks, AI integrations, and new partnerships. It’s the most ambitious vision since Frax launched, and it sets the stage for exponential growth across the Superchain and beyond."

• Andrew (Ink):

"Our mainnet is on track for Q1 2024, but let’s just say you might get a sneak peek this Christmas. It’s an exciting time, and we’re working tirelessly to ensure a smooth launch."

• James (Mode):

"Today’s teaser is just the beginning. What’s coming is the biggest initiative since TGE. I can’t say more yet, but it’s transformative. Stay tuned."