Definition ∞ Creditor priority defines the order in which debts are repaid to various creditors when a borrower faces insolvency or liquidation. Secured creditors typically receive payment before unsecured creditors. This hierarchy is established by law and contractual agreements. Understanding creditor priority is crucial for assessing risk in lending and investment decisions.
Context ∞ In the digital asset lending and decentralized finance (DeFi) sectors, creditor priority becomes complex due to the novel legal status of digital collateral and smart contract enforceability. Discussions often revolve around how traditional insolvency laws apply to on-chain agreements and the recovery prospects for digital asset lenders. News reports frequently detail legal challenges and proposed frameworks to clarify these rights in crypto bankruptcies.