Quadratic Cost Function

Cost

A quadratic cost function, within cryptocurrency derivatives and options trading, quantifies the penalty associated with deviations from a desired portfolio state or trading strategy target. Its parabolic shape implies increasing marginal cost for larger deviations, influencing optimal trade sizing and risk management decisions. This function is central to mean-variance optimization, where traders seek to minimize a weighted combination of risk (variance) and cost, directly impacting portfolio allocation strategies.