Leveraged Products

Definition ∞ Leveraged products are financial instruments that magnify potential gains or losses from an underlying asset’s price movement. These products allow investors to control a larger position in an asset with a smaller amount of capital, effectively borrowing funds to amplify exposure. Common examples in digital asset markets include perpetual futures, options, and margin trading, which can significantly amplify returns but also substantially increase risk. The mechanism involves using borrowed capital to enhance trading power, necessitating careful risk management.
Context ∞ Leveraged products remain a prominent and often contentious topic in cryptocurrency news, given their capacity for rapid wealth creation and destruction. Regulators globally are scrutinizing these offerings due to concerns about investor protection and market volatility, leading to varying restrictions on their availability. The discussion frequently centers on balancing market innovation with the need to mitigate excessive speculation and financial instability within the digital asset space.