How Do Automated Market Makers (AMMs) Create Arbitrage Opportunities in DeFi?

AMMs use mathematical formulas, such as x y = k, to determine asset prices based on the ratio of tokens in their liquidity pools. When the price of an asset on an external exchange changes, the AMM's price becomes temporarily misaligned.

Arbitrageurs step in to buy the cheaper asset from the AMM and sell it elsewhere (or vice-versa), pushing the AMM's pool ratio back toward the external market price.

How Do Automated Market Makers (AMMs) Determine the Price of an Asset in a Liquidity Pool?
How Does the Constant Product Formula (X Y = K) Enforce Price Parity with External Markets?
How Do Automated Market Makers (AMMs) in DeFi Address Liquidity Provision for Large Trades?
How Does the Fee Structure of an AMM Impact the Viability of Arbitrage?
How Does the Arbitrage Mechanism Ensure the AMM’s Price Reflects the External Market Price?
How Do Automated Market Makers (AMMs) on DEXs Determine Asset Prices?
What Are the Characteristics of a Stablecoin-Focused AMM like Curve?
How Does the Concept of ‘Order Book Imbalance’ Relate to HFT and Potential Price Movement?

Glossar