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Collateral Overvaluation

Definition

Collateral overvaluation describes a circumstance where assets pledged as security for a loan or financial position are assigned a value higher than their actual market worth. This discrepancy can occur due to inaccurate pricing mechanisms, market manipulation, or rapid asset depreciation that outpaces valuation updates. In decentralized finance, collateral overvaluation significantly increases risk for lenders, as the security might not cover the loan amount if liquidation becomes necessary. It presents a critical vulnerability within lending protocols.