Explain the Concept of ‘Over-Collateralization’ in the Context of Crypto-Backed Stablecoins.
Over-collateralization is a mechanism where the value of the deposited cryptocurrency collateral is significantly greater than the value of the stablecoin minted. For instance, a user might deposit $150 worth of Ether to mint $100 of a stablecoin.
This is necessary because the underlying crypto collateral is highly volatile. The excess collateral acts as a buffer to absorb price drops in the collateral, helping the stablecoin maintain its peg and preventing immediate liquidation during market downturns.
It is a key feature of decentralized stablecoins.