> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.libre.org/libre-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.libre.org/libre-docs/understanding-the-platform/mechanics/liquidation.md).

# Liquidation Process

Understanding Libre's liquidation process with 72-hour buffers and transparent rules.

## Overview

Libre's liquidation system is designed to be **predictable and fair**, giving borrowers time to respond to market volatility while protecting lender funds.

> ⚠️ **Important:** Once your LTV reaches **80%**, a 72-hour liquidation countdown begins. Returning below 80% is **not** enough to stop it — you must bring your LTV **below 70%** within the 72 hours, or your collateral is liquidated.

## Liquidation Thresholds

| Loan-to-Value (LTV)              | Status               | Borrower Action                                                                | Timeline     |
| -------------------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------ |
| **0-70%**                        | **Safe Zone**        | Monitor your loan                                                              | Ongoing      |
| **70-80%**                       | **Warning Zone**     | Lower your LTV; once the 80% timer starts, only dropping **below 70%** is safe | Ongoing      |
| **80%+**                         | **Liquidation Risk** | Bring LTV **below 70%** to avoid liquidation                                   | **72 hours** |
| **≥70% when the 72h timer ends** | **Liquidation**      | Automatic execution                                                            | Immediate    |

## How Liquidation Works

### Example Scenario

Let's walk through a liquidation example:

**Initial Loan Setup**

* Bitcoin price: $100,000
* Collateral: 0.2 BTC = $20,000
* Loan amount: $10,000 USDT
* Initial LTV: 50%

**Price Movement Triggers**

* **At $71,429 BTC**: LTV hits 70% (Warning Zone)
* **At $62,500 BTC**: LTV hits 80% (Liquidation Risk - 72-hour timer starts)
* **After 72 hours**: If LTV is still **70% or higher**, liquidation executes

### The 72-Hour Buffer

When LTV reaches 80%, borrowers have **exactly 72 hours** to bring their LTV **below 70%** (returning under 80% is not enough) by one of:

1. **Add more Bitcoin collateral** to reduce LTV below 70%
2. **Make a partial repayment** large enough to bring LTV below 70%
3. **Repay the full loan** to close the position

### Automatic Liquidation

If LTV is not brought below 70% within 72 hours:

1. **Smart contract execution**: Liquidation triggers automatically
2. **Bitcoin sale**: Enough collateral to cover the debt plus the 5% liquidation fee is sold on libreDEX at a **1% discount to the current market price**. The rest stays in your vault.
3. **Lender repayment**: USDT lenders are repaid first (principal + interest)
4. **Excess distribution**: Any remaining Bitcoin value goes back to borrower

## Liquidation Math

### Calculation Example

**Liquidation Scenario:**

* Collateral: 0.2 BTC at $62,500 = $12,500 value
* Outstanding debt: $10,000 + interest = $10,275

**What has to be covered:**

1. **Lender repayment**: $10,275 (principal + interest)
2. **Liquidation fee**: 5% of the outstanding debt = **$513.75**

Total to raise: **$10,788.75**.

**The sale:** Bitcoin is sold at a **1% discount** to the oracle price ($61,875/BTC), and **only as much as is needed** is sold — not the whole vault:

```
$10,788.75 ÷ $61,875 = 0.17436 BTC sold
```

**Borrower keeps: 0.2 − 0.17436 = 0.02564 BTC**, still in the vault, worth about $1,603 at the $62,500 market price.

You are left holding Bitcoin, not cash. The vault is not emptied — whatever wasn't needed to clear the debt and fee stays yours and can be withdrawn.

{% hint style="info" %}
Borrowers without sufficient staked LIBRE voting power have a further \~1.2% of collateral sold as an execution buffer, so the sale definitely covers the debt. This is **not** an extra fee: leftover USDT and any unsold Bitcoin are both returned to the borrower. Its only real cost is that slightly more Bitcoin was converted than strictly necessary. Borrowers above the voting-power threshold have no buffer added at all.
{% endhint %}

*Note: To avoid liquidation, Bitcoin must recover enough to bring LTV back **below 70%** — roughly **$71,400+** in this example. Recovering past $62,500 only returns you under 80%, which is not enough to stop liquidation.*

## Why 72 Hours?

### Protection Against Volatility

* **Market corrections**: Time for temporary price dips to recover
* **Weekend gaps**: Allows response even during market closures
* **Global accessibility**: Accommodates users in different time zones
* **Technical issues**: Buffer for wallet or connectivity problems

### Fair Warning System

* **No surprise liquidations**: Clear advance notice
* **Multiple response options**: Add collateral, repay, or close position
* **Transparent rules**: Everyone knows exactly when liquidation occurs

## Monitoring Your Position

### Real-Time Tracking

* **Dashboard alerts**: Visual warnings as LTV approaches thresholds
* **Email notifications**: Alerts sent to registered email addresses
* **Mobile app**: Push notifications for critical LTV levels
* **API access**: Programmatic monitoring for advanced users

### LTV Calculation

```
Current LTV = (Loan Balance / Collateral Value) × 100

Where:
- Loan Balance = Principal + Accrued Interest
- Collateral Value = Bitcoin Amount × Current BTC Price
```

## Avoiding Liquidation

### Best Practices

1. **Maintain buffer**: Keep LTV well below 70% when possible
2. **Monitor regularly**: Check your position during volatile markets
3. **Set alerts**: Use notifications to stay informed
4. **Have a plan**: Know how you'll respond if LTV rises

### Response Options

* **Add collateral**: Send more Bitcoin to your vault address — enough to bring LTV below 70%
* **Partial repayment**: Reduce loan balance enough to bring LTV below 70%
* **Full repayment**: Close the position entirely
* **Refinance**: Move to a different pool with better terms

## Liquidation vs. Traditional Platforms

| Feature                  | Libre                    | Traditional Platforms |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------ | --------------------- |
| **Warning period**       | 72 hours                 | Often immediate       |
| **Liquidation trigger**  | 80% LTV (cure below 70%) | Varies (often 75-85%) |
| **Process transparency** | Fully on-chain           | Often opaque          |
| **Borrower protection**  | Grace period + warnings  | Limited               |
| **Excess recovery**      | Returned to borrower     | Varies by platform    |

## Technical Implementation

### Smart Contract Logic

* **Price oracles**: Real-time Bitcoin price feeds
* **Automated monitoring**: Continuous LTV calculation
* **Timer mechanisms**: Precise 72-hour countdown
* **Liquidation execution**: Atomic settlement process

### libreDEX Integration

* **Discounted sale**: Liquidated Bitcoin is sold at a **1% discount to the current market price** — a limit sell order on libreDEX priced at 99% of the oracle price, which incentivizes fast fills
* **Slippage protection**: Safeguards against price manipulation
* **Transparent pricing**: All trades visible on-chain
* **Immediate settlement**: Fast conversion to USDT

The liquidation system balances **borrower protection** with **lender security**, ensuring fair outcomes for all participants in the Libre ecosystem.