Cosmos Stack vs. Optimism Superchain
Cosmos Stack and OP Stack both aim to help developers build chains as easily as possible with share security, active ecosystems, open-source the stack, and a communication standard.
Both share the same vision:
Building a standardized tech stack with many chains using the same stack.
→ Horizontally scaling resolutions.
→ High compatibility & interoperability.
→ Network effect with tools & wallets.
Which stack is better? Here are some key differences.
Key difference #1: Full control of the stack
Cosmos gives you full control of the stack, including the Consensus and Data Availability layer. You can modify the consensus layer and customize staking, slashing, capturing MEV, etc., you name it.
OP Superchains leverage Ethereum for Consensus and DA layer, which could limit its capability.
Key difference #2: Maturity
Cosmos has over 50 chains on the mainnet and a standardized communication standard (IBC). It just... works.
OP stack is still in its early phase, with only 1 chain on the mainnet and Base on the testnet.
Key difference #3: Centralization
A typical Cosmos appchain has > 100 Validators, while the OP stack uses a dedicated centralized sequencer. This will be changed as OP commit to working on decentralizing its sequencer.
Key difference #4: Security
Cosmos stack offers ICS & Mesh Security to improve Appchains Security. However, OP stack is the winner by inheriting Ethereum Security and soon a shared set of sequencers for better interoperability.
Key difference #5: Funding
Cosmos Stack is a headless brand with many entities contributing to its success. This's probably why they're not many VCs in Cosmos. With OP stack, Coinbase, a16z, and more are building along with the OP Labs → massive liquidity and user inflow.
Key difference #6: Cost & ease of deployment
OP stack is probably cheaper to deploy since you don't need to recruit a new validator set like Cosmos stack.
Optimism Superchain aligns with Ethereum making it much much easier to onboard Ethereum dev and Dapps.
So Why OP stack
More liquidity.
Much more secure.
Tooling & Wallets integrations.
Exciting DeFi & NFT activities.
Alignment with Ethereum: EVM has more docs & easier to deploy & bootstrap.
Why Cosmos stack
Mature stack for deploying a sovereign blockchain.
Powerful for full-stack control and deep innovation. Ex:
Mempool intervention (@dYdX)
MEV resistance by threshold encryption (@osmosiszone)
Shielded transactions for privacy purposes (@namada)