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DeFi liquidations

A DeFi liquidation closes or reduces a borrower's collateralized position after it breaches protocol risk limits.

How it works

Automated liquidators can repay part of the debt and claim collateral, often with an incentive or discount. The process is governed by smart contracts and price oracles.

What to check

Check the exact health factor, collateral threshold and penalty for the protocol. Users should also understand how rapidly oracle prices update during volatile markets.

  • Track health factor
  • Know oracle update method
  • Plan for network congestion

Limits and risks

Liquidations can happen automatically without negotiation. Congested networks can make it harder to add collateral or repay debt before the threshold is crossed.

Primary sources

Bitcoin Developer Reference↗Ethereum developer documentation↗FATF: Virtual Assets↗

General information only. Investment products can lose value, and terms, fees and regulation can change.