Liquidity Risk

Definition ∞ Liquidity risk describes the potential difficulty or inability to convert a digital asset into cash or another asset quickly without significantly affecting its market price. This risk becomes pronounced when there is insufficient trading volume or a limited number of buyers and sellers for a particular asset. Low liquidity can lead to wider bid-ask spreads and substantial price slippage during large transactions. It poses a significant concern for investors seeking to exit positions rapidly.
Context ∞ Liquidity risk is a consistent point of analysis in cryptocurrency markets, especially for smaller altcoins or during periods of market stress. News often reports on projects facing challenges due to thin order books or concentrated ownership, which exacerbates this risk. Regulatory bodies are increasingly focusing on market depth and exchange infrastructure to address potential systemic liquidity issues within the digital asset ecosystem. Managing liquidity risk is paramount for market participants and platform operators.