Forced liquidation is a process in which the collateralized assets of a borrower are sold off automatically by a lender when the borrower is unable to meet the margin requirements. Forced liquidation usually happens in margin trading, futures trading, and other forms of leveraged trading where borrowers borrow funds from a lender to take positions in the market.
Forced liquidation happens when the price of the collateralized asset falls below a certain threshold, and the borrower is unable to meet the margin call. The lender then liquidates the collateralized asset to recover the borrowed funds. Forced liquidation can also occur when the price of the borrowed asset increases, and the collateralized assets are sold to prevent losses from the lender.
Forced liquidation is often seen as a risk management tool for lenders. It helps to reduce the risk of losing funds and ensures that lenders have enough collateral to cover the funds they have lent. It also helps to maintain market stability by preventing the over-leveraging of market participants.
Forced liquidation can be seen as a double-edged sword for borrowers. On the one hand, it provides a means of borrowing funds to take positions in the market. On the other hand, it exposes borrowers to the risk of losing their collateralized assets if the market moves against their positions.
Examples of forced liquidation can be seen in the cryptocurrency market, where traders often use leverage to take positions in the market. If the price of the collateralized asset falls below the required margin level, the lender may force the liquidation of the borrower's position. This can result in the borrower losing their collateralized assets and incurring losses. Therefore, it is important for traders to manage their risk properly and to have a good understanding of margin requirements and forced liquidation policies.