Collateral Factor
The collateral factor is a risk parameter assigned to an asset in a lending protocol that determines how much a user can borrow against that asset. It is expressed as a percentage, representing the maximum loan-to-value ratio allowed for that specific collateral type.
For example, a collateral factor of 75 percent means that for every one hundred dollars worth of the asset deposited, a user can borrow up to seventy-five dollars in other assets. Protocols set these factors based on the asset's volatility, liquidity, and overall market risk.
Assets with higher volatility typically receive lower collateral factors to protect the protocol from price drops that could lead to under-collateralized loans. This parameter is critical for maintaining the safety of the lending pool and preventing bad debt.