Recursive Leverage Analysis
Recursive leverage analysis involves studying the risks associated with loops of borrowing and lending where assets are used to mint or acquire more collateral, which is then used to borrow again. This practice artificially inflates the perceived value of assets and creates a highly fragile financial structure.
When the underlying asset price drops, the entire chain of leverage can collapse simultaneously, leading to massive liquidations. Analyzing these loops is crucial for understanding the true extent of systemic risk in a protocol.
Regulators and developers use this analysis to set limits on how many times an asset can be re-collateralized. It is a critical component of stress-testing modern decentralized financial systems.