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Long Position Liquidations

Definition

Long position liquidations occur when a trader’s leveraged bet on an asset’s price increase is forcibly closed due to a significant price drop. In cryptocurrency derivatives markets, traders often use borrowed funds to open “long” positions, expecting prices to rise. If the asset’s price falls below a certain threshold, the exchange automatically sells the trader’s collateral to cover the loan and prevent further losses. These liquidations can create a cascading effect, where forced selling by one trader pushes prices lower, triggering more liquidations. Such events contribute significantly to market volatility during downturns.