Optimism Superchain’s L2 Mode Network Launches New Governance Model – Here’s Why

Mode Network, the Layer 2 (L2) chain powered by the Optimism OP stack, announced the launch of its new vote escrow and gauge-based model to “improve L2 governance.” The new framework, powered by Aragon, will upgrade the MODE staking module to foster network growth and incentive distribution in the ecosystem.

Mode Network To Implement New Model For L2 Governance

Mode, the modular Decentralized Finance (DeFi) L2 network building on the Optimism Superchain, revealed it would implement veMODE for its Season 3, starting October 17.  veMODE is a vote escrow (ve) model was built by Aragon to upgrade the network’s current staking module.

Mode’s new framework is a “tokenomics-first design” to foster incentive alignment. Therefore, It will aim to provide governance focused on staking but not locking tokens, protocol voting, and long-term growth.

The framework will apply “ve and gauges to a roll-up ecosystem” to introduce a “dynamic governance model that (…) reduces coordination overhead and drives network growth.”

Moreover, veMODE will offer stakers rewards for upgrading their staked MODE balance. It will also enable users to continue earning Optimism (OP) and vote for the incentive’s distribution to the ecosystem’s protocols.

Stakers will gain more voting power with the ve governance model, first introduced by Curve Finance with its veCRV model. As a result, veMODE will allow stakers to have more influence in governance decisions the longer their tokens remain staked.

The network’s third staking season will run for approximately three months, with six two-week-long epochs. Users can unstake their tokens as they are not locked, but their vote power will reset if they choose to stake again.

Moreover, stakers are subjected to a 3-day warm-up period for voting eligibility. As such, users must stake their tokens at least three days in advance, as voting occurs the first week of each epoch.

Are L2s Gravitating To Optimism?

Per the announcement, Mode worked with seasoned veterans in the sector to “deliver a new chapter in L2 governance.” The L2 network will bring the vote escrow governance model to the Optimism Superchain with veMODE.

Mode, powered by OP stack, is working alongside Optimism to build the Superchain. The project is a network of several L2 blockchains “that share security, a communication layer, and an open-source development stack,” aiming to eliminate the necessity of bridging or switching networks.

Alongside Mode and Optimism mainnet, multiple L2 chains are part of the Superchain project, including Coinbase’s Base network and Blast.

This year, Sam Altman-backed Worldcoin, now rebranded as World Network, announced its upcoming L2 network would also use OP Stack after migrating the protocol to the OP mainnet last year. World’s World Chain is set to “bring all humans on-chain” and work within the Optimism Superchain at launch.

Mode’s co-founder and CEO, James Ross, highlighted OP Stack’s role in the Superchain and securely scaling an L2 ecosystem. Additionally, he noted OP Labs’ feat of bringing together several top teams to contribute and build this project collectively:

OP is trading at $1.7, a 1.8% decrease in the past 24 hours as of this writing.