Digital asset markets require distinguishing liquidity—ease of trading without price impact—from genuine demand. Key metrics like order flow, bid-ask spread, open interest, and stablecoin supply reveal market sentiment, risk, and price dynamics. Understanding these aids in effective trading and risk management.

Layer 2 scaling reduces DeFi costs and boosts throughput but causes liquidity fragmentation and security trade-offs. Rollups, EIP-4844, MEV, and interoperability shape adoption, risks, and incentives.