This article comprehensively reviews the historical price movements and market volatility of Optimism (OP) since its inception, combining data from bull and bear market phases to assess the potential returns of purchasing 10 OP tokens for investors. We address the critical question: “Should I buy OP now?” to help both newcomers and long-term investors identify optimal entry points and growth opportunities.
Early Market Cycle: Historical Price Review (2022 to 2023)
Optimism, an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution developed by the Optimism Foundation, entered the market with an early trading price of approximately $1.50 according to available data. OP serves as the native governance token for the Optimism protocol.
The following represents OP’s price performance during the early market phases:
2022
Opening Price: $1.50
Closing Price: $0.9224
Highest Price: $1.91
Lowest Price: $0.5088
Annual Return: -38.51%
2023
Opening Price: $1.26
Closing Price: $3.71
Highest Price: $3.71
Lowest Price: $1.09
Annual Return: 193.76%
An investor purchasing 10 OP tokens during the early phase in 2022 would have experienced a loss of $13.12 if sold at the end of 2023, despite the strong 2023 recovery.
Market Adjustment and Medium-Term Cycle: Returns and Risk Analysis (2024 to 2025)
During this period, OP experienced significant price volatility, with a notable recovery in 2024 followed by substantial decline in 2025. The token’s price movement reflected broader market sentiment shifts within the Layer 2 ecosystem.
The following shows potential returns for investors purchasing 10 OP tokens during different phases:
2024: -$29.82
2025: -$15.93
Recent Market Cycle: Should I Buy OP Now? (2026 to Present)
In recent years, OP has continued its downtrend, raising questions about whether the token remains in a prolonged bear market phase or if accumulation opportunities exist.
2024
Opening Price: $3.17
Closing Price: $2.09
Highest Price: $4.54
Lowest Price: $1.31
Annual Return: -34.02%
2025
Opening Price: $1.78
Closing Price: $0.3194
Highest Price: $1.78
Lowest Price: $0.2722
Annual Return: -82.07%
2026
Opening Price: $0.3158
Closing Price: $0.1884
Highest Price: $0.3235
Lowest Price: $0.1884
Annual Return: -40.34%
Investors purchasing 10 OP tokens during this recent period face cumulative losses:
2024: -$29.82
2025: -$15.93
2026 to present: -$1.27
Summary: Bull Markets, Bear Markets, and Investment Timing Analysis
Through analysis of OP’s historical price data and investment returns from 2022 through 2026 to present, a clear downtrend emerges with significant cumulative losses for long-term holders. The token has experienced severe depreciation following its 2023 peak, raising important considerations about current market positioning and whether OP remains suitable for new capital allocation at this stage.
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
OP (Optimism) Historical Price and Returns Analysis: Should I Buy OP Now?
Abstract
This article comprehensively reviews the historical price movements and market volatility of Optimism (OP) since its inception, combining data from bull and bear market phases to assess the potential returns of purchasing 10 OP tokens for investors. We address the critical question: “Should I buy OP now?” to help both newcomers and long-term investors identify optimal entry points and growth opportunities.
Early Market Cycle: Historical Price Review (2022 to 2023)
Optimism, an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution developed by the Optimism Foundation, entered the market with an early trading price of approximately $1.50 according to available data. OP serves as the native governance token for the Optimism protocol.
The following represents OP’s price performance during the early market phases:
2022
2023
An investor purchasing 10 OP tokens during the early phase in 2022 would have experienced a loss of $13.12 if sold at the end of 2023, despite the strong 2023 recovery.
Market Adjustment and Medium-Term Cycle: Returns and Risk Analysis (2024 to 2025)
During this period, OP experienced significant price volatility, with a notable recovery in 2024 followed by substantial decline in 2025. The token’s price movement reflected broader market sentiment shifts within the Layer 2 ecosystem.
The following shows potential returns for investors purchasing 10 OP tokens during different phases:
Recent Market Cycle: Should I Buy OP Now? (2026 to Present)
In recent years, OP has continued its downtrend, raising questions about whether the token remains in a prolonged bear market phase or if accumulation opportunities exist.
2024
2025
2026
Investors purchasing 10 OP tokens during this recent period face cumulative losses:
Summary: Bull Markets, Bear Markets, and Investment Timing Analysis
Through analysis of OP’s historical price data and investment returns from 2022 through 2026 to present, a clear downtrend emerges with significant cumulative losses for long-term holders. The token has experienced severe depreciation following its 2023 peak, raising important considerations about current market positioning and whether OP remains suitable for new capital allocation at this stage.