Optimism has announced a comprehensive update to its governance model, introducing an auto-pass proposal system and stakeholder voting framework effective August 1. The ‘Season 8′ overhaul aims to enhance decentralization and mitigate platform risks by incorporating diverse stakeholder groups into decision-making processes.
The new multi-stakeholder model establishes four distinct voting cohorts: tokenholders, end-users, applications, and chains. This structure balances influence across ecosystem participants while maintaining Optimism’s dual-house governance system. The Token House conducts token-weighted voting, while the Citizens’ House operates on a one-vote-per-citizen basis, with citizenship criteria remaining experimental and adaptable.
A cornerstone innovation is the ‘optimistic approval process,’ allowing proposals to pass automatically unless vetoed. This mechanism reduces bureaucratic delays and lowers participation barriers. Resource budgets will similarly receive auto-approval without active voting unless formally contested.
Protocol upgrades will be supervised by an independent developer advisory board representing both governance houses. The changes collectively establish a resilient governance framework that prioritizes operational agility and inclusivity, potentially serving as a blueprint for other blockchain projects seeking balanced decentralized governance.