Arbitrage Efficiency Limits
Arbitrage efficiency limits refer to the constraints that prevent market prices from perfectly converging across different trading venues. Even in theoretically efficient markets, factors such as transaction fees, network latency, and capital requirements can prevent arbitrageurs from closing price gaps.
In decentralized finance, these limits are often defined by the cost of gas on the blockchain and the time required for transactions to be confirmed. If the potential profit from an arbitrage opportunity is lower than the combined cost of trading and network fees, the price discrepancy will persist.
These limits are important for understanding why markets can remain inefficient for extended periods. Recognizing these constraints helps traders assess whether a price difference is a genuine opportunity or a result of structural market friction.