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Over-Collateralization

Definition

Over-collateralization is the practice of providing more collateral than the value of the loan or debt received. In decentralized finance (DeFi), this mechanism is commonly employed to secure loans of volatile digital assets, ensuring that even if the collateral’s value drops, there remains sufficient backing for the borrowed amount. For instance, a user might deposit $150 worth of Ether to borrow $100 worth of a stablecoin. This surplus collateral acts as a buffer against market fluctuations and minimizes default risk for lenders.