Trading

What Is Liquidation?

Your position gets closed for you when the collateral no longer covers the debt.

Definition

Liquidation is what happens when your collateral stops covering your debt. Someone else repays part of what you owe, takes collateral at a discount for the trouble, and your position is gone. It is not a warning, it is the event.

How it works

Protocols set a minimum collateral ratio, often around 150%. Drop under it and anyone watching can close you out. You lose collateral, and usually a penalty on top.

In Continuum

Minting on Continuum cannot be liquidated. L/S tokens are fully collateralized at all times and there is no margin to call. Borrowing against an L token on a lending market is a different position entirely, and that one can be liquidated like any other.

Related terms

More trading terms

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