Mark to Market Valuation
Mark to market valuation is the accounting practice of recording the value of an asset or portfolio based on its current market price rather than its historical cost. In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency derivatives, positions are marked to market continuously to reflect the latest price discovery on exchanges.
This process ensures that account equity is always representative of the current economic reality. By constantly updating the value of positions, protocols can accurately calculate profit and loss in real time.
This is critical for determining whether an account remains solvent or requires a margin injection. It provides transparency and prevents the accumulation of hidden losses that could threaten the stability of the entire trading platform.
Mark to market valuation is the foundation of the margin engine, as it dictates when liquidation triggers are activated. It forces traders to face the immediate consequences of market volatility.