# Liquidity

Liquidity is what users take when they interact with a market. A market is a collection of liquidity that can be swapped for another asset (the quote asset).

The base asset of the market determines the kind of liquidity that a market accepts. For example, if a market’s *base* token is ETH, then the liquidity provided to it can only be ETH.

The liquidity provider is known as a maker, seller, or merchant on centralised peer-to-peer marketplaces. The users who swap the liquidity are known as **takers** or **swappers**.

## Liquidity Provider

A liquidity provider is a person or entity that transfers any amount of a market’s base token into the market.&#x20;

The asset provided as liquidity can then be swapped for the market’s *quote* asset at an exchange rate determined by the liquidity provider.&#x20;

For example, in an ETH/USDT market, the liquidity provider transfers ETH into the market and receives USDT after a successful swap event.

A liquidity provider can add or remove liquidity at any time.

## Liquidity Pricing

Liquidity providers are responsible for setting the price of their liquidity.&#x20;

The liquidity provider will be required to specify how much of the market’s *quote* asset they want in exchange for a *base* asset.&#x20;

Liquidity providers can update the price and other liquidity parameters at any time.

## Liquidity Manager

A liquidity manager is a wallet that can be granted permission to update the price of liquidity.&#x20;

Liquidity providers may use automated services that automatically manage the price of their liquidity to keep it in sync with the current market price.&#x20;

Liquidity managers can only alter price and nothing else.

## Liquidity Parameters

There are other parameters that a liquidity provider can adjust to manage their trading experience within a market. They include:

#### **Minimum Swap Amount**

This is the minimum amount of liquidity that can be swapped per transaction. A swap request will fail if the swap includes an amount lower than the liquidity's set minimum.

#### **Maximum Swap Amount**

The maximum swap amount limits the amount that can be swapped in a single transaction. This limit can help a liquidity provider manage how quickly their liquidity is depleted.

#### **Payment Time**

Liquidity providers can specify the time they expect to send or receive payment.&#x20;

In an [interactive market ](https://docs.joint.exchange/market#interactive)where the provider is expected to send payment off-chain, the payment time tells the protocol and the counterpart how long to wait.&#x20;

On the other hand, if the liquidity provider expects payment from the counterpart, the payment time determines how long to wait.&#x20;

When this payment time elapses, a grace period is entered. If the payment is still not received, the swap becomes eligible for cancellation by the counterparts.&#x20;

#### **Pause**

Liquidity providers can pause their liquidity at any time. To pause liquidity means to prevent takers from initiating new swap requests.&#x20;

Pausing is helpful when the liquidity provider wants to take a break but does not want to remove their liquidity.
