Definition ∞ Trading depth refers to the measure of an asset’s liquidity on an exchange, specifically indicating the volume of buy and sell orders available at various price levels around the current market price. A high trading depth suggests that large orders can be executed without significantly impacting the asset’s price, due to a substantial number of willing buyers and sellers. Conversely, low trading depth leads to higher volatility and larger price swings. It is a key indicator of market robustness.
Context ∞ The analysis of trading depth is critical for institutional traders and large investors who require liquid markets to execute significant positions efficiently. A key discussion involves how different exchange models, such as order book exchanges versus automated market makers, influence the overall depth available for digital assets. Future developments will likely focus on aggregating liquidity across various platforms and improving order routing to enhance overall market depth and reduce price impact.