OP Historical Price and Return Analysis: Should I buy OP now?

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive review of the historical price movements and market fluctuations of Optimism (OP) since its inception. Combining data from bull and bear market phases, it evaluates the potential returns for investors purchasing 10 OP tokens and answers the key question, “Should I buy OP now?” to help both beginners and long-term investors grasp the timing and growth potential of their investments.

Early Market Cycle: Historical Price Review (2022 to 2023)

As the native governance token of the Optimism ecosystem, OP entered the market in early 2022. Records show its initial trading price was approximately $1.50. Optimism is a low-cost, lightning-fast Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain dedicated to providing practical solutions for developers and users.

Below are the price changes of OP during the early market phase:

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 who bought 10 OP tokens in early 2022 experienced a rebound after an initial decline. By the end of 2023, the potential profit would be -$96.35 (i.e., a total value of about $37.1).

Mid-term Market Cycle: Profit and Risk Analysis (2024)

In 2024, OP’s price experienced significant volatility as the market began to adjust from its previous strong gains.

The price performance of OP during this period is as follows:

2024

• Opening Price: $3.17
• Closing Price: $2.09
• Highest Price: $4.54
• Lowest Price: $1.31
• Annual Return: -34.02%

An investor holding 10 OP tokens throughout 2024 would face a potential loss of -$287.22.

Recent Market Cycle: Should I Buy OP Now? (2025 to Present)

Since 2025, OP has experienced a severe price decline, dropping from $1.78 at the start of the year to $0.2984 at year-end, reflecting ongoing market adjustments.

2025

• Opening Price: $1.78
• Closing Price: $0.2984
• Highest Price: $1.78
• Lowest Price: $0.2722
• Annual Return: -83.25%

The cumulative potential loss for an investor holding 10 OP tokens from early 2022 to now is -$148.33.

Summary: Bull, Bear, and Investment Timing Analysis

By analyzing OP’s historical prices and potential returns, we see that the token has experienced intense volatility since early 2022. Despite a significant rally in 2023, subsequent declines have been more profound. From a high of $1.50 in early 2022 to $0.2984 at the end of 2025, the long-term trend shows a decline. Investors should carefully evaluate the current market environment and their risk tolerance to make rational investment decisions.