MATIC vs OP: Polygon (POL) vs Optimism — 2026 Comparison
This page compares Polygon (POL) (MATIC) and Optimism (OP) using the DeFi Intel research dataset. Native asset of the Polygon PoS sidechain and broader Polygon ecosystem. Used for fees and staking. Being migrated to POL as part of Polygon 2.0. Governance token of the Optimism Collective, which directs the OP Mainnet rollup and the broader Superchain of OP Stack chains. Governed through a bicameral Token House and Citizens' House, with OP funding retroactive public goods grants. As of the last data review, MATIC ranks #17 by approximate market capitalisation (≈$8B) and OP ranks #27 (≈$3.2B).
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Polygon (POL) (MATIC) | Optimism (OP) |
|---|---|---|
| Market-cap rank | #17 | #27 |
| Approx market cap (USD) | $8B | $3.2B |
| Category | Layer 2 | Layer 2 |
| Chain(s) | Polygon PoS, Polygon zkEVM | OP Mainnet |
| Token standard | ERC-20 | ERC-20 |
| Launched | April 2019 | May 2022 |
| Issuer | Polygon Labs | Op Labs |
| Issuer type | Decentralized (no single issuer) | DAO-governed |
| Total supply | 10,000,000,000 | 4,300,000,000 |
| Circulating supply | 9,800,000,000 | 1,500,000,000 |
| Max supply | 10,000,000,000 | 4,300,000,000 |
Polygon (POL) (MATIC) in brief
- Native asset of the Polygon PoS sidechain and broader Polygon ecosystem. Used for fees and staking. Being migrated to POL as part of Polygon 2.0.
- Launched April 2019.
- ERC-20 token; trades on Polygon PoS, Polygon zkEVM.
- Max supply: 10,000,000,000.
- Issuer: Polygon Labs.
Full profile: Polygon (POL) (MATIC) token page.
Optimism (OP) in brief
- Governance token of the Optimism Collective, which directs the OP Mainnet rollup and the broader Superchain of OP Stack chains. Governed through a bicameral Token House and Citizens' House, with OP funding retroactive public goods grants.
- Launched May 2022.
- ERC-20 token; trades on OP Mainnet.
- Max supply: 4,300,000,000.
- Issuer: Op Labs.
Full profile: Optimism (OP) token page.
Key differences (data view)
- MATIC is the larger asset by market capitalisation: rank #17 (≈$8B) versus rank #27 (≈$3.2B) for OP.
- MATIC is the older asset — launched in 2019, 3 years before OP (2022).
- They live on different chains — MATIC: Polygon PoS, Polygon zkEVM; OP: OP Mainnet.
- Both are classified as Layer 2 assets in the DeFi Intel dataset.
- MATIC has no central issuer, whereas OP is governed by a DAO (Op Labs).
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, MATIC or OP?
Polygon (POL) (MATIC) is larger by market capitalisation: approximately $8B (rank #17) versus $3.2B (rank #27) for OP, as of the last DeFi Intel data review.
When did Polygon (POL) and Optimism launch?
Polygon (POL) launched in April 2019; Optimism launched in May 2022.
Are MATIC and OP on the same chain?
No. MATIC is on Polygon PoS, Polygon zkEVM, while OP is on OP Mainnet.
Related comparisons
- ARB vs MATIC
- ARB vs OP
- Polygon (POL) (MATIC) token profile
- Optimism (OP) token profile
- All DeFi Intel comparisons →
Methodology & sources
Every figure on this page is drawn from the DeFi Intel token research dataset — the same data that powers the MATIC and OP token profiles. Market capitalisations and supply figures are approximate snapshots from the last dataset review, not live quotes. DeFi Intel publishes editorial research, not financial advice.