Liquidation Slippage

Consequence

Liquidation slippage represents the realized difference between the expected liquidation price of a derivative position and the actual price at which the position is closed by an exchange or protocol, stemming from market depth limitations during periods of high volatility. This discrepancy arises because liquidation engines often cannot execute large orders at the precise desired price, particularly in less liquid markets like certain cryptocurrency derivatives. The magnitude of slippage is directly correlated with position size, market impact, and the speed at which liquidations are processed, impacting overall portfolio risk. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for risk management, as it can exacerbate losses beyond initial margin requirements.