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Coinbase API Essential Guide

Aug 7, 20246 minute read

What type of API does Coinbase provide?

Based on the search results provided, Coinbase does not appear to have a SOAP or GraphQL API. The information available suggests that Coinbase likely uses a REST API, as REST is one of the most common API architectures used today, especially for web services. However, without specific information about Coinbase's API, I cannot definitively state what type of API they use.

Here are the key points to consider:

  1. REST (Representational State Transfer) is widely used for web services and APIs due to its simplicity, scalability, and flexibility.

  2. REST APIs are resource-based, stateless, and use standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.

  3. REST is particularly well-suited for building web and mobile applications, as well as microservices architectures and IoT systems.

  4. While GraphQL has gained popularity in recent years, especially for applications with complex data requirements, it is not as ubiquitous as REST.

  5. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is an older protocol that is still used in some industries like healthcare and finance, but it's less common for modern web services.

To determine the exact type of API Coinbase uses, you would need to check their official API documentation or developer resources. If Coinbase follows common industry practices, it's likely they use a REST API, but this is an educated guess based on general trends rather than specific information about Coinbase.

Does the Coinbase API have webhooks?

Yes, the official Coinbase API does have webhooks. Here are the key points about Coinbase's webhook functionality:

Webhook Availability

Coinbase offers webhooks as part of their API, allowing you to receive real-time notifications for various events.

Event Types

You can subscribe to several types of events through Coinbase webhooks, including:

  1. Transaction events:

    • New transactions
    • Confirmed transactions
    • Failed transactions
  2. Wallet events:

    • New wallet created
    • Wallet balance changes
  3. Price alerts:

    • Price threshold reached for specific cryptocurrencies
  4. Account events:

    • New account created
    • Account settings changed
  5. Order events:

    • New order placed
    • Order filled
    • Order cancelled

Implementation Considerations

When implementing Coinbase webhooks, keep in mind:

  • You need to set up an endpoint on your server to receive webhook notifications.
  • Webhook payloads are signed, and you should verify the signature to ensure the webhook is genuine.
  • You can configure which events you want to receive in your Coinbase API settings.

Code Example

Here's a basic example of how you might handle a Coinbase webhook in Python using Django:

from django.http import HttpResponse from django.views.decorators.csrf import csrf_exempt from coinbase_commerce.webhook import Webhook from coinbase_commerce.error import SignatureVerificationError, WebhookInvalidPayload @csrf_exempt def coinbase_webhook(request): request_data = request.body.decode('utf-8') signature = request.headers.get('X-CC-Webhook-Signature', None) try: event = Webhook.construct_event(request_data, signature, webhook_secret) # Handle the event if event['type'] == 'charge:confirmed': # Process a confirmed payment pass # Add more event types as needed return HttpResponse(status=200) except (SignatureVerificationError, WebhookInvalidPayload) as e: return HttpResponse(str(e), status=400)

This example shows how to verify the webhook signature and handle different event types.

Best Practices

  1. Always verify the webhook signature to ensure security.
  2. Use environment variables to store sensitive information like webhook secrets.
  3. Implement proper error handling for webhook processing.
  4. Respond quickly to webhooks to avoid timeouts.
  5. Consider using a queue system for processing webhook events asynchronously if you expect high volumes.

By utilizing Coinbase's webhook functionality, you can create more responsive and real-time applications that interact with the Coinbase platform.

Rate Limits and other limitations

The Coinbase API has specific rate limits in place to ensure fair usage and maintain system stability. Here are the key points regarding the API rate limits for the Coinbase API:

  1. Public Endpoints:

    • The public endpoints have a rate limit of 10 requests per second [2].
    • This limit applies to unauthenticated requests and is based on the IP address of the client [2].
  2. Private Endpoints:

    • For authenticated requests to private endpoints, the rate limit is 15 requests per second [2].
    • This limit is enforced on a per-API key basis [2].
  3. Websocket API:

    • The websocket API has a limit of 1 connection per second for new connections [2].
    • There's also a limit of 20 subscriptions per connection [2].
  4. Handling Rate Limits:

    • When a rate limit is exceeded, the API will return a 429 Too Many Requests response [2].
    • The response will include a "Retry-After" header indicating how long to wait before making another request [2].
  5. Best Practices:

    • Implement exponential backoff when encountering rate limit errors [2].
    • Cache frequently accessed data to reduce the number of API calls [2].
    • Use webhooks for real-time updates instead of polling the API frequently [2].
  6. Additional Considerations:

    • Rate limits may be adjusted based on the specific API product or endpoint [2].
    • Some endpoints may have additional constraints or burst limits [2].

It's important to note that these rate limits are subject to change, and developers should always refer to the official Coinbase API documentation for the most up-to-date information on rate limits and best practices for API usage [2].

Latest API Version

The most recent version of the Coinbase API is the Coinbase Advanced API. Here are the key points about this API:

Key Features

  • The Coinbase Advanced API is designed for trading needs and allows users to automate trades on Coinbase's platform.

  • It supports trading in over 550 markets, including 237 new USDC pairs.

  • The API allows for automation of market, limit, and stop-limit orders through REST API or trading bots.

  • It offers higher order entry speeds and competitive rate limits for optimal market pricing.

Important Updates

  • Coinbase is replacing the legacy retail key authentication method. Developers need to create a new CDP API key before May 31, 2024.

  • After May 31, 2024, it will no longer be possible to create new keys with the legacy method.

Security and Integration

  • The API includes security features such as 2FA, mobile biometrics, YubiKey for mobile, and Address Whitelisting.

  • It is integrated with popular trade automation platforms like Bitsgap, 3Commas, Altrady, Cryptohopper, and Coinrule.

Developer Resources

  • Coinbase provides API documentation and developer guides to help developers get started with the API.

  • There is a Developer Discord available for additional support.

Best Practices

  • Coinbase encourages users to IP whitelist their API keys for added security.

  • API keys do not have an expiration, but it's generally good practice to rotate keys periodically.

In summary, the Coinbase Advanced API is the most recent version of Coinbase's API, offering advanced trading features, improved security, and better integration with trading platforms. Developers should be aware of the upcoming authentication changes and ensure they create new CDP API keys before the May 31, 2024 deadline.

How to get a Coinbase developer account and API Keys?

1. Create a Coinbase Developer Platform Account

First, you need to create an account on the Coinbase Developer Platform (CDP), formerly known as Coinbase Cloud. This is where you'll manage your API keys and integrations.

2. Set Up Your Developer Organization

After creating your account, you'll need to set up your developer organization on the Coinbase Developer Platform.

3. Create API Keys

Once your organization is set up, you can create API keys for your integration. Here's how to do it:

  1. Navigate to the API key creation section in the Coinbase Developer Platform.
  2. Click on "+ New API Key" or a similar option to create a new key.
  3. Configure the following settings for your API key:
    • API key nickname
    • Portfolio (e.g., Default)
    • Permission level (View, Trade, Transfer)
    • Allowlist IPs (optional, but recommended for security)
  4. Complete the 2-factor authentication process.
  5. The key will automatically download as a JSON file. You'll also have the option to copy the API Key Name and Private Key.

What can you do with the Coinbase API?

To answer your question about the data models you can interact with using the Coinbase API, I'll provide a list of bullet points covering what is possible for each data model. Please note that the search results provided don't contain specific information about the Coinbase API data models, so I'll rely on my knowledge of the Coinbase API to answer this question.

Accounts

  • Retrieve a list of user's accounts
  • Get details of a specific account
  • Get account balance
  • Get account holds (funds on hold)

Orders

  • Place a new order
  • Cancel an existing order
  • Get a list of open orders
  • Get details of a specific order
  • Get order history

Trades

  • Get a list of recent trades
  • Get details of a specific trade
  • Get trade history

Products

  • Get a list of available trading pairs
  • Get product details (e.g., base currency, quote currency, minimum order size)
  • Get product order book
  • Get product ticker (latest price, 24h volume, etc.)

Currencies

  • Get a list of supported currencies
  • Get details of a specific currency

Deposits and Withdrawals

  • Get deposit history
  • Get withdrawal history
  • Initiate a deposit
  • Initiate a withdrawal

User

  • Get user profile information
  • Update user settings

Fills

  • Get a list of recent fills (matched orders)
  • Get fill details

Transfers

  • Get a list of transfers between accounts
  • Initiate a transfer between accounts

Payment Methods

  • Get a list of payment methods
  • Get details of a specific payment method

Conversions

  • Get conversion rates
  • Perform currency conversions

Reports

  • Generate account reports
  • Get report status

Notifications

  • Get a list of notifications
  • Update notification preferences

Market Data

  • Get historical candle data
  • Get 24-hour stats for a product

Time

  • Get the API server time

These bullet points cover the main data models and interactions possible with the Coinbase API. Keep in mind that access to certain endpoints may depend on your API key permissions and account type. Always refer to the official Coinbase API documentation for the most up-to-date and detailed information on available endpoints and their functionalities.