Collateral Rebalancing
Collateral rebalancing is the process of adjusting the amount or type of collateral held in a position to maintain a desired risk profile. As market prices move, the composition of a portfolio changes, which can lead to unintended exposure.
Traders rebalance by adding more collateral, withdrawing excess collateral, or swapping one asset for another. In automated protocols, this can sometimes be handled by vaults or strategies that shift assets to maintain a target ratio.
Rebalancing is essential for keeping leverage within acceptable bounds and preventing liquidation. It requires active monitoring of the market and the health of the collateralized debt.
By proactively rebalancing, a user can protect their capital and improve their capital efficiency. It is a key practice for professional risk management in decentralized finance.
Failure to rebalance during periods of high volatility is a common cause of portfolio loss.