Cross-Exchange Liquidity
Cross-exchange liquidity describes the aggregate availability of buy and sell orders for a specific asset across all venues where it is listed. High liquidity on one exchange versus low liquidity on another creates the conditions for price divergence, as larger orders have a greater impact on the price in thinner markets.
Arbitrageurs monitor these liquidity levels to determine if a price gap is tradeable or if it will be absorbed by slippage. In the crypto space, cross-exchange liquidity is often fragmented by the difficulty of moving assets between chains or centralized platforms.
Efficient arbitrage helps bridge this gap by continuously moving capital to where it is most needed, effectively acting as a market stabilizer. Maintaining a view of total liquidity is crucial for managing the risk of getting trapped in a position on a low-volume exchange.