Liquidations

Definition ∞ Liquidations refer to the forced sale of assets used as collateral in leveraged trading positions. This occurs when a trader’s margin falls below a required threshold, triggering the automatic closure of their position to cover potential losses. Liquidations can significantly impact market prices due to the sudden influx of sell orders.
Context ∞ The frequency and scale of liquidations are key indicators of market stress and volatility within leveraged trading environments, particularly in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Current discussions highlight the role of automated market makers and smart contract mechanics in triggering these events. Monitoring liquidation levels provides crucial insight into the stability and risk exposure of leveraged positions.