Arbitrum Sees Opportunity as Base Abandons Optimism Revenue-Sharing Model
Base's sudden departure from Optimism's revenue-sharing arrangement has sent shockwaves through the industry, highlighting the need for alternative Layer 2 business models. Steven Goldfeder, CEO of Offchain Labs and developer of Arbitrum, sees an opportunity to showcase his network's licensing strategy as a more attractive option.
Base had been contributing around 8,387 ETH ($16.4 million) to Optimism's Collective under the revenue-sharing agreement, which it terminated in February 2026. The partnership accounted for nearly 90-97% of the collective's total revenue at various points, and Base's departure has led to a significant drop in Optimism's OP token price, down around 25%.
Goldefer emphasizes that Arbitrum offers a more standardized approach with its Expansion Program, which provides a clear 10% revenue share for qualifying Orbit chains and Layer 2s. This model is accompanied by free and permissionless licensing, allowing developers to use the technology without paying anything, but with a cost structure in place for full benefits.
The competitive dynamic between Arbitrum and Optimism is now under scrutiny as Goldfeder's pitch gains traction. If Arbitrum can attract chains that might otherwise have joined the Superchain, it could gain an advantage in terms of revenue and network effects.