Single-Use Liquidity

Definition ∞ Single-use liquidity refers to capital that is committed to a specific financial operation or protocol and becomes unavailable for other uses until that operation concludes. This type of liquidity is often locked within smart contracts for a defined period, such as in staking, lending, or yield farming activities. It differs from readily available capital that can be deployed across various opportunities. Understanding its dynamics is key to assessing market depth.
Context ∞ The discussion surrounding single-use liquidity often involves its impact on market efficiency and capital allocation within decentralized finance. Protocols compete for this locked capital, offering various incentives to attract and retain users. The risks associated with locking funds, such as smart contract vulnerabilities or impermanent loss, are also frequently debated. Future innovations aim to create more flexible liquidity models.