Credit Stress

Definition ∞ Credit stress refers to a condition where borrowers face significant difficulty in meeting their debt obligations, or lenders perceive an increased probability of default. In financial markets, this can lead to tightened lending standards and reduced access to capital. For digital asset lending, credit stress can result from sharp market declines impacting collateral values. It signifies a weakening in credit quality.
Context ∞ Reports on credit stress are essential for understanding economic health and its influence on both traditional and decentralized finance. News often details how rising interest rates or market downturns contribute to credit stress, affecting loan performance and investor confidence. The stability of lending protocols in decentralized finance is particularly sensitive to these conditions, impacting liquidity and user activity.