Liquidation Threshold
The Liquidation Threshold is the specific price or account equity level at which an exchange will automatically close out a trader's position to prevent further losses. This mechanism is designed to protect the integrity of the trading venue and the funds of other participants.
When the market price moves against a position such that the maintenance margin is breached, the liquidation process begins. The exchange uses an automated engine to sell or buy the underlying asset to cover the deficit.
In the volatile cryptocurrency space, this threshold must be carefully calculated to account for rapid price swings and slippage. If the market moves too quickly, the liquidation might occur at a price worse than the threshold, potentially resulting in a loss for the exchange.
Exchanges often maintain an insurance fund to cover these discrepancies and ensure that winning traders are paid out. Understanding this threshold is vital for traders to avoid unexpected liquidations during periods of high volatility.