Major Ethereum Liquidation Crisis Averted
In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday, an Ethereum whale executed a series of last-minute moves that prevented what could have been a devastating $340 million liquidation cascade. This incident, which coincides with Ethereum’s ongoing $2K price crisis, highlights the delicate balance in DeFi markets.
The Close Call
With just two minutes to spare, the whale deposited 2,000 ETH from Bitfinex and repaid $1.5 million in DAI stablecoin to protect their MakerDAO position. The position had reached a critical liquidation price of $1,928, triggered during a market downturn in U.S. trading hours.
Market Implications and Current Status
Key Statistics:
- Initial liquidation price: $1,928
- Current ETH price: $1,928
- New liquidation threshold: $1,781
- Total liquidatable assets on Ethereum: $1.3 billion
- Assets at risk (within 20% of current price): $352 million
Ethereum Foundation’s Strategic Move
In a parallel development, another significant wallet, suspected to belong to the Ethereum Foundation, deposited 30,098 ETH (approximately $56.08M) to lower their position’s liquidation price to $1,127, demonstrating strategic risk management during market volatility.
DeFi vs Traditional Markets: Understanding the Risk
Unlike traditional derivative markets, DeFi protocols like MakerDAO operate solely with spot assets, creating unique challenges during liquidation events. This structural difference means that large-scale liquidations can have more severe impacts on asset prices due to limited liquidity.
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Market Outlook
While immediate crisis has been averted, the market remains precarious. DefiLlama data reveals $1.3 billion in liquidatable assets on Ethereum, with $352 million particularly vulnerable to price fluctuations. Traders and investors should maintain vigilance as market conditions continue to evolve.
Source: CoinDesk