Market-Making Spreads

Definition

Market-making spreads refer to the difference between the bid price (the price a market maker is willing to buy an asset) and the ask price (the price they are willing to sell it). This bid-ask spread represents the market maker’s compensation for providing liquidity and assuming inventory risk. In crypto derivatives, these spreads can vary significantly based on asset volatility, trading volume, and market depth. A tighter spread indicates higher liquidity and lower transaction costs for traders. It is a fundamental component of market microstructure.