Yep. In the regular asset markets, exactly the same procedure applies. It's usually buffered by a "margin call," which gives you a short window to deposit more funds to increase your capital buffer, but legally a "margin call" is a courtesy. Once the asset's value drops below the "minimum maintenance margin" amount, the firm you're dealing with has iron-clad legal right to sell your position whenever they want. They don't want to eat the loss themselves!
Than it can indeed really cause a massive crash to occur if too many people have these calls open.. Quite dangerous in these circumstances.. Would be interesting to see what happens though
This happend already on btc-e or bitfinex. its no problem as long the exchange is solvent. On higher leverage exchanges like okcoin or 796 they are socialising losses
Hey sooooo, a bunch of people were really irresponsible with their money so now we have to take some of *your* money.
hmmm... where have I heard this before?