Margin Call Cascade

Margin

A margin call cascade begins when a significant market downturn causes the value of collateral in multiple leveraged positions to fall below their maintenance margin requirements. This initial price movement triggers automated margin calls, demanding additional collateral from traders to maintain their positions. Failure to meet these calls results in forced liquidations, which further increase selling pressure on the underlying asset. The cascade effect accelerates as liquidations drive prices lower, triggering more margin calls across the market.