What Is the Primary Purpose of the Buffer between Initial and Maintenance Margin?

The primary purpose of the buffer is to provide a safety zone for the trader against normal market volatility. This buffer, which is the difference between the initial margin and the maintenance margin, allows the position to absorb a degree of adverse price movement without immediately triggering a liquidation.

It gives the trader time to add margin or close the position before the liquidation engine is activated.

Why Is the Maintenance Margin Typically Lower than the Initial Margin?
How Is a ‘Margin of Safety’ Defined in Crypto Valuation?
Why Do Exchanges Set the Maintenance Margin Lower than the Initial Margin?
Is Initial Margin Always Higher than Maintenance Margin?
How Does the Time Zone of the Exchange Affect the ‘End-of-Day’ Settlement?
What Is a ‘Time-Lock’ Contract and How Is It Used for Security?
What Is the Mathematical Relationship between Initial Margin, Maintenance Margin, and Maximum Loss before Liquidation?
What Is the Primary Purpose of the Margin Buffer (Initial – Maintenance)?

Glossar