Arbitrum vs 
Optimism
The two leading Ethereum layer-2 networks are close cousins — both roll transactions up to Ethereum for settlement. Arbitrum leads on DeFi activity and total value; Optimism's bet is the "Superchain": a standard many chains (including Coinbase's Base) build on, with OP governing the collective. Both tokens are governance claims, not fee revenue — worth understanding before comparing prices.
12 months, both starting at 100 (AUD)
ARB → 39 · OP → 14| Measure | ARB | OP |
|---|---|---|
| Market cap | A$2.1B | A$0.4B |
| Rank | #62 | #154 |
| Price | A$0.3103 | A$0.1754 |
| 90-day change (AUD) | +183.3% | +16.7% |
| 12-month change (AUD) | −52.8% | −83.4% |
| From all-time high | −91.3% | −97.6% |
| Supply model | Capped: 10.00B max | Capped: 4.29B max |
| AU exchanges we verify it on | 3 | 3 |
About Arbitrum
Arbitrum is the largest Ethereum layer-2 network by activity, processing transactions cheaply and settling them back to Ethereum. ARB governs the protocol's DAO.
About Optimism
Optimism is a major Ethereum layer-2 and the home of the "Superchain" standard that Base and other networks build on. OP governs its collective and funds public goods.
FAQ
Which is bigger, Arbitrum or Optimism?
By market value today: Arbitrum (A$2.1B vs A$0.4B). Size measures money invested, not quality — but it does measure liquidity, which affects how easily you can buy and sell.
Which performed better this year?
Over the past 12 months in AUD terms: ARB −52.8%, OP −83.4% — the chart above shows the whole path, which matters more than the endpoints. Past performance is no indicator of future results, in either direction.
Can I buy both in Australia?
Yes — both are listed on AUSTRAC-registered exchanges we verify. ARB appears on 3 of our reviewed platforms and OP on 3. Compare costs first on the fee calculator, and remember every crypto-to-crypto swap between them is a CGT event.
Should I hold ARB or OP?
That's a personal decision we don't make for you — this page exists to make the structural differences clear so the choice is yours. What we'd say to anyone: understand what job each coin is designed for, size positions like the risk is real, and check the honest failure statistics before going further down the market-cap list.
Data from our market records (powered by CoinGecko), refreshed with the daily rebuild. General information only, not financial advice — we compare structure and history, we don't pick winners.