Independent educational resource
Margin and liquidation
How collateral requirements affect a leveraged position.
Initial and maintenance requirements
Margin is collateral supporting a position. Initial requirements concern opening or increasing exposure; maintenance requirements concern keeping it open. The precise calculation depends on the product and current rules.
Why liquidation can occur
When account equity or position collateral no longer meets maintenance requirements, a venue may reduce or close exposure. Valuation inputs, funding, fees and other positions can affect the result. The last traded price alone may not explain a liquidation.
Shared and isolated exposure
Where different margin modes are available, they may allocate collateral differently. Shared collateral can connect the outcomes of several positions. Read the current documentation and do not assume that a stop instruction guarantees an exit before liquidation.