Correlation Spike Risks

Definition

Correlation spike risks represent the tendency of independent crypto asset prices to converge rapidly during periods of extreme market turbulence or liquidity withdrawal. This phenomenon effectively negates the benefits of portfolio diversification, as hedging instruments often lose their protective efficacy when directional movements align across decentralized and centralized exchanges. Traders must account for these non-linear shifts in beta, as the sudden increase in asset co-movement can lead to unexpected collateral depletion in leveraged derivative positions.