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Strategies

Arbitrage

Price Arbitrage

Profiting from price differences of identical assets across markets

Definition

Arbitrage is the practice of simultaneously buying and selling identical assets on different markets to profit from price differences. In DeFi, bots exploit price gaps between DEXs or CEXs.

Arbitrage (Price Arbitrage) is a strategy term used to understand Profiting from price differences of identical assets across markets. In practice, it matters because it affects how users evaluate protocols, compare opportunities, and avoid hidden assumptions.

Example

If ETH trades at $2000 on Uniswap and $2005 on SushiSwap, an arbitrageur buys on Uniswap and sells on SushiSwap for $5 profit per ETH.

1

How it works

In practice, the concept shows up like this: If ETH trades at $2000 on Uniswap and $2005 on SushiSwap, an arbitrageur buys on Uniswap and sells on SushiSwap for $5 profit per ETH.

2

Why it matters

Arbitrage matters because small misunderstandings in DeFi can turn into bad pricing, liquidation, governance, custody, or smart-contract risk. A good mental model helps you compare protocols without relying on marketing language.

3

What to check

Treat it as a strategy: map each step, each contract dependency, each exit condition, and the downside before committing capital. The main checks are: Transaction costs; Failed execution; Slippage.

Risks to Consider

  • Transaction costs
  • Failed execution
  • Slippage

Common Questions

What does Arbitrage mean in DeFi?

Arbitrage means Profiting from price differences of identical assets across markets. The useful question is not only the definition, but how the mechanism changes risk, return, liquidity, or governance for the user.

How is Arbitrage used in practice?

A practical example: If ETH trades at $2000 on Uniswap and $2005 on SushiSwap, an arbitrageur buys on Uniswap and sells on SushiSwap for $5 profit per ETH.

What should I check before relying on Arbitrage?

Check transaction costs, failed execution, slippage. Also verify liquidity, oracle assumptions, admin controls, and whether the protocol has been tested during stressed markets.