Cryptocurrency borrowing allows users to obtain loans by using their digital assets as collateral which they will secure through either a centralized platform or a decentralized finance system. Users can obtain funds through crypto borrowing because they need to provide their existing crypto assets as collateral instead of using traditional banking methods. Crypto borrowing activities require borrowers to provide more collateral than they intend to borrow. This system requires borrowers to provide assets that value more than their desired borrowing amount. A user needs to deposit Bitcoin or Ethereum as collateral before they can obtain stablecoins.Â
The platform will execute partial collateral liquidation when collateral value drops below required thresholds to protect against loan default. This mechanism helps handle financial exposure which occurs during periods of active market fluctuations. Crypto borrowing can occur through two types of platforms which include centralized exchanges that handle custody and loan conditions and decentralized platforms that use smart contracts for their operations. Decentralized systems use automated processes to maintain full operational transparency while establishing interest rates according to the supply and demand dynamics of liquidity pools.
Borrowers typically use these loans for several reasons. The first group of borrowers needs liquidity because they want to keep their cryptocurrency assets which would result in tax obligations and potential price losses. The second group of borrowers needs funds to support their trading activities and their yield strategies and their business needs. Market downturns create special dangers for people who use borrowing as a financial strategy. The market experiences sudden price declines which result in immediate asset liquidations and unanticipated financial damages.