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Liquidation Risk

Definition

Liquidation risk denotes the possibility that an asset or position will be sold at a substantial loss due to insufficient market depth or rapid price declines. This is particularly relevant in leveraged trading environments or decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols where collateralized loans can be automatically terminated if the value of the collateral falls below a predetermined threshold. Managing liquidation risk is critical for preserving capital and maintaining the stability of financial systems that rely on collateralized debt. The abrupt sale of assets can further depress prices, creating a feedback loop.