Price Discovery Failure

Definition ∞ Price discovery failure occurs when market mechanisms are unable to efficiently determine a fair and accurate price for an asset. This can happen due to insufficient liquidity, information asymmetry, market manipulation, or extreme volatility. In such scenarios, the reported price may not genuinely reflect the asset’s underlying value or prevailing supply and demand dynamics. It leads to distorted market signals and inefficient capital allocation.
Context ∞ The discussion surrounding price discovery failure is particularly relevant in nascent or less liquid digital asset markets. Debates often focus on regulatory measures and market structure improvements aimed at fostering more transparent and robust price formation. Future developments seek to enhance market depth and integrity, reducing the likelihood of such failures and building greater investor confidence.