Glossary

DeFi & Yield

What is a liquidation in DeFi lending?

A liquidation in DeFi lending is the automatic sale of a borrower's collateral when its value falls below a required threshold, repaying the loan before it becomes undercollateralised. Borrowers post collateral worth more than they borrow, and if prices drop, the protocol sells part of it, often at a discount to liquidators who execute the sale. For example, borrow against ETH and a sharp ETH decline can trigger liquidation, leaving you with less collateral and a penalty. Volatile markets can cascade liquidations quickly, so borrowers monitor their collateral ratios closely.

Crypto investments are subject to market risk and volatility. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. This is general information, not investment advice — consider your own circumstances or consult a qualified adviser before investing.

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