Liquidation Drag

Drag

Liquidation drag refers to the negative impact on market prices and liquidity caused by forced selling during large-scale liquidation events. This phenomenon occurs when automated liquidation engines sell collateral to cover margin calls, often at unfavorable prices, which in turn drives down the asset’s price further. The downward price pressure then triggers more liquidations, creating a self-reinforcing negative feedback loop. This drag is particularly pronounced in thinly traded or highly leveraged cryptocurrency derivative markets.