Impact Cost
Impact cost is a metric used to measure the price movement caused by executing a trade of a specific size. It represents the "cost" of the trade in terms of how much the price moves against the trader as a result of their own order.
High impact cost means that the market is not deep enough to handle the trade size without significant price slippage. This metric is vital for institutional investors who need to execute large orders without causing a market disruption.
By analyzing impact cost, traders can determine the optimal size and timing of their orders. It is closely related to order book depth and liquidity.
In crypto markets, impact cost can be extremely high during periods of low liquidity or high volatility. Reducing impact cost is a primary goal of algorithmic trading and execution strategies.
It is a key factor in assessing the quality of a trading venue. Understanding impact cost is essential for effective portfolio management and risk control.