Research

Understanding How Crypto APIs Power Digital Asset Platforms

Explore how crypto APIs function, power trading platforms, and enable AI-driven analytics. Learn key types, use cases, and integration tips.
Token Metrics Team
5
MIN

In today's digital asset ecosystem, Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs, are the unsung heroes enabling everything from cryptocurrency wallets to trading bots. Whether you're a developer building for Web3 or a curious user interested in how your exchange functions, understanding how crypto APIs work is essential

    What Is a Crypto API?

    A crypto API is a set of programming instructions and standards that allow software applications to communicate with cryptocurrency services. These services may include wallet functions, price feeds, trading engines, exchange platforms, and blockchain networks. By using a crypto API, developers can automate access to real-time market data or execute trades on behalf of users without manually interacting with each platform.

    For instance, the Token Metrics API provides structured access to cryptocurrency ratings, analytics, and other data to help teams build intelligent applications.

    Types of Crypto APIs

    There are several categories of APIs in the cryptocurrency landscape, each with different capabilities and use cases:


       

       

       

       

       


    How Crypto APIs Work

    At their core, crypto APIs operate over internet protocols—typically HTTPS—and return data in JSON or XML formats. When an application makes a request to an API endpoint (a specific URL), the server processes the request, fetches the corresponding data or action, and sends a response back.

    For example, a crypto wallet app might call an API endpoint like /v1/account/balance to check a user’s holdings. To ensure security and authorization, many APIs require API keys or OAuth tokens for access. Rate limits are also enforced to prevent server overload.

    Behind the scenes, these APIs interface with various backend systems—blockchains, trading engines, or databases—to fulfill each request in real time or near real time.

    Common Use Cases for Crypto APIs

    Crypto APIs are used across a broad spectrum of applications:


       

       

       

       

       


    Benefits of Using Crypto APIs


       

       

       

       


    APIs dramatically reduce time-to-market for developers while enhancing user experience and application efficiency.

    Key Considerations for API Integration

    When integrating a crypto API, consider the following factors:


       

       

       

       

       


    Platforms like the Token Metrics API provide both comprehensive documentation and reliability for developers building AI-powered solutions in crypto.

    AI-Powered Analytics and APIs

    Some of the most powerful crypto APIs now incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning features. For example, the Token Metrics API facilitates access to predictive models, coin grades, and AI-based price forecasts.

    By embedding these tools into custom apps, users can programmatically tap into advanced analytics, helping refine research workflows and support technical or fundamental analysis. Although these outputs can guide decisions, they should be viewed in a broader context instead of relying exclusively on model predictions.

    Conclusion

    Crypto APIs are critical infrastructure for the entire digital asset industry. From data retrieval and trading automation to blockchain integration and AI-driven analytics, these tools offer immense utility for developers, analysts, and businesses alike. Platforms such as Token Metrics provide not only in-depth crypto research but also API access to empower intelligent applications built on real-time market insights. By understanding how crypto APIs work, users and developers can better navigate the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape.

    Disclaimer

    This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or technical advice. Always conduct your own research and consult professional advisors before making any decisions.

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    Token Metrics Team
    Token Metrics Team

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    Crypto Basics

    Best Cryptocurrency Books to Learn Trading and Investing in 2023

    Token Metrics Team
    5 minutes
    MIN

    Cryptocurrency is a rapidly growing global phenomenon revolutionizing how we approach money and payments. As the industry continues to expand, reading the most up-to-date and reliable sources of information is essential for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve. 

    To help you get the most out of your cryptocurrency journey, here are the top ten cryptocurrency books you need to read.

    From in-depth technical analysis to practical strategies for investing, these books provide valuable insights into the world of digital currency. Whether you're a seasoned trader or just getting started, these books will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to make smart decisions and capitalize on the opportunities presented by cryptocurrency.

    Top 10 Cryptocurrency Books

    Here are the 10 best cryptocurrency books you need to read in 2023.

    1. Digital Gold

    Tagline: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money

    Digital Gold is New York Times reporter Nathaniel Popper's brilliant and engrossing history of Bitcoin, the landmark digital money and financial technology that has spawned a global social movement.

    Digital Gold charts the rise of Bitcoin technology through the eyes of the movement's colorful central characters, including a British anarchist, an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Bitcoin's elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.

    2. Crypto Investing Guide

    Tagline: How to Invest in Bitcoin, DeFi, NFTs, and More

    Ian Balina, the founder of Token Metrics, aimed to craft a strong foundation for crypto enthusiasts by providing powerful insights and helping you kickstart a profitable crypto journey.

    This book can act as an educational guide to help you differentiate between the conventional financial system and the crypto world, further deepening the discussion into crypto assets, NFTs, decentralized finance, and security token offerings. 

    This is the ultimate guide for both beginners as well as experts willing to renew their learnings and strategies.

    3. The Book of Satoshi

    Tagline: The Collected Writings of Bitcoin Creator Satoshi Nakamoto

    This book is recommended to anyone that wants more info on the "start" of Bitcoin. MANY of the same issues that are FUD today have been addressed in the book. It can sometimes be a tad technical, but you don't need to be a programmer to understand.

    This isn't a starter book for Bitcoin. You need to read "The Bitcoin Standard" or another similar book before you start this one. It mainly contains public domain writings about bitcoin, but the author has added significant value by sorting through them and adding his own editorial comment and introductory paragraphs.

    4. Mastering Bitcoin

    Tagline: Programming the Open Blockchain

    Mastering Bitcoin is your guide through the seemingly complex world of bitcoin, providing the knowledge you need to participate in the internet of money. Whether you're building the next killer app, investing in a start-up, or simply curious about the technology, this revised and expanded second edition provides essential detail to get you started.

    5. Cryptoassets

    Tagline: The Innovative Investor's Guide to Bitcoin and Beyond

    This clear, concise, and accessible guide from two industry insiders Chris Burniske & Jack Tatar shows you how to navigate this brave new blockchain world and invest in these emerging assets to secure your financial future. 

    6. Blockchain Revolution

    Tagline: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin is Changing Money, Business, and the World 

    Don Tapscott, the bestselling author of Wikinomics, and his son, blockchain expert Alex Tapscott, bring us a brilliantly researched, easily understandable, and utterly foundational book about the future of the modern economy. Blockchain Revolution is the business leaders' playbook for the next decade and beyond.

    7. The Business Blockchain

    Tagline: Promise, Practice, and Application of the Next Internet Technology

    The Business Blockchain explores how blockchain revolutionizes money and financial transactions. William Mougayar's depiction of this book is the blueprint that covers the blockchain's what, why, and how in the easiest way possible. The Business Blockchain charts new territory in advancing our understanding of the blockchain by unpacking its elements like no other before.

    William Mougayar anticipates a future that consists of thousands, if not millions, of blockchains that will enable frictionless value exchange and a new flow of value, redefining roles, relationships, power, and governance.

    8. Cryptocurrency Investing Bible

    Tagline: The Ultimate Guide About Blockchain, Mining, Trading, ICO, Ethereum Platform, Exchanges, Top Cryptocurrencies for Investing, and Perfect Strategies to Make Money

    Cryptocurrency Investing Bible explores how cryptocurrency is revolutionizing money and financial transactions. Author Alan T. Norman makes sure that you get your basics right. And if you are a beginner in cryptocurrencies, want to learn more before start investing, and spend less time researching online, then this one's for you. 

    9. Cryptocurrency

    Tagline: How to Make a Lot of Money Investing and Trading in Cryptocurrency

    This book will shock you most conventionally as the author Andrew Johnson teaches the technique right. Secrets are revealed. This book will help you discover what cryptocurrency is all about and how to make money through investing and trading.

    While the Bitcoin ship might have already sailed, there is still time to jump onto the cryptocurrency bandwagon and make a profit. If you are wondering how to do just that, then Cryptocurrency: How to Make a Lot of Money Investing and Trading in Cryptocurrency is the book you have been waiting for.

    10. The Internet of Money

    By Andreas M. Antonopoulos

    While many books explain the how of bitcoin, The Internet of Money delves into the why of bitcoin. Acclaimed information-security expert and author of Mastering Bitcoin, Andreas M. Antonopoulos, examines and contextualizes the significance of bitcoin through a series of essays spanning the exhilarating maturation of this technology.

    Andreas goes beyond exploring the technical functioning of the bitcoin network by illuminating bitcoin's philosophical, social, and historical implications. As the Internet has transformed how people around the world interact and permanently impacted our lives in ways we could never have imagined, bitcoin - the Internet of money - is fundamentally changing our approach to solving social, political, and economic problems through decentralized technology.

    The Bottom Line

    Each of the books mentioned in this article has its own plethora of displaying the what, how, and why of the cryptocurrency, primarily focussed on Blockchain and Bitcoin. Although every book stands tall on its own value, we recommend you evaluate your current knowledge and buy the one that can help you take your crypto journey forward. 

    Crypto Basics

    Liquidity Mining - What It Means and How It Works?

    Token Metrics Team
    9 minutes
    MIN

    Liquidity mining is an innovative way to earn cryptocurrency rewards. It has emerged as an alternative to traditional crypto mining, which requires large investments of time, money, and energy. It is a new form of yield farming, where users can lend their tokens for a certain period of time and earn rewards for providing liquidity to a platform.

    Liquidity mining is a great way to earn passive income, as it is relatively low risk and requires minimal effort. Moreover, liquidity mining is a great way to increase the value of a token, as it increases its liquidity and helps it become more widely traded. 

    This article will explore liquidity mining, how it works, and how it can benefit you.

    What is Liquidity Mining?

    Liquidity mining is a process where investors can earn cryptocurrency rewards by providing liquidity to cryptocurrency exchanges or other decentralized applications.

    In exchange for liquidity, the user earns a reward from the exchange or dApp in cryptocurrency made possible by charging a small fee from users.

    How does Liquidity Mining Work?

    There are several ways liquidity mining can work. The most common way is to connect an exchange to a market maker. The exchange is the market maker, while the market maker is the liquidity provider.

    The market maker offers the asset to the market, which is the investor. The exchange then takes a fee for the market maker's service. The asset can also be paired with a US dollar (USD) pair, meaning the investor is paid in USD and gets to hold the asset. The asset is not traded on the exchange, so the exchange doesn't handle any more trading activity.

    Benefits of Liquidity Mining

    • Passive income - Unlike trading cryptocurrencies, liquidity mining requires no time and energy investment by the participant. As a liquidity provider, all you need to do is provide liquidity to the exchange. Once the trading activity starts, you earn your crypto rewards, and the exchange takes care of all the accounting and regulatory issues. This is a great way to earn passive income, as it is relatively low risk (apart from impermanent loss) and requires minimal effort. 
    • Public exposure - When you participate in liquidity mining, you publicly expose your asset to the market. This can increase the asset's exposure and help it become more widely traded. 
    • Low risk - Many exchanges require participants to hold a certain amount of tokens to be eligible for rewards. You do not have to own any tokens to participate in liquidity mining; you can also hedge or short your rewards. This means you can participate in liquidity mining with low risk, as you are not fully exposed to the risk of holding tokens.
    • Market volatility risk - Some exchanges charge participants for the trading volume they generate, resulting in increased volatility and increased trading costs. This market volatility risk can be mitigated by diversifying your trading interests, i.e., trading a different asset from your investment. 
    • Investment risk - Since liquidity mining does not require investment for equipment and graphic cards, there is a shallow risk. This makes liquidity mining a great way to earn cash while protecting your money.

    Liquidity Mining Vs. Staking

    Liquidity mining and staking are two distinct mechanisms used in decentralized finance (DeFi) to incentivize user participation and encourage the growth of DeFi ecosystems.

    Liquidity mining refers to a process where users can earn rewards for providing liquidity to decentralized exchanges (DEXs) by depositing assets into liquidity pools. The rewards are usually paid out in the protocol's native tokens. They are intended to incentivize users to participate in the DEX's liquidity, increasing its overall health and making it easier for other users to trade.

    Staking, on the other hand, is a process where users can earn rewards for holding onto and "staking" certain cryptocurrencies or tokens. The rewards are paid out through newly minted tokens, interest, or a share of transaction fees. They are intended to incentivize users to hold onto their assets, increasing the network's overall security and ensuring its consensus mechanism's stability.

    In short, liquidity mining incentivizes users to provide liquidity to DEXs or dApps, while staking incentivizes users to hold onto assets and participate in network security.

    Liquidity Mining Vs. Yield Farming

    Liquidity mining and yield farming are similar but distinct concepts in the DeFi space.

    Liquidity mining incentivizes users to help provide the necessary liquidity for the DEX or dApp to function and can help increase the overall value of the platform.

    Yield farming, on the other hand, is a strategy where users deposit their assets into a pool to earn a high return on investment (ROI). The assets are used to earn rewards through various mechanisms such as lending, borrowing, and staking. Yield farming can be considered a liquidity provision, but it goes beyond that by allowing users to earn rewards through more complex financial strategies.

    In short, liquidity mining is a specific type of yield farming focused on providing liquidity to a DEX or dApp. In contrast, yield farming is more general for earning high returns through various financial strategies.

    Is Liquidity Mining a Good Idea?

    Whether liquidity mining is a good idea depends on the individual's perspective and investment goals.

    From a DeFi ecosystem perspective, liquidity mining can be beneficial as it can lead to increased liquidity in DEXs, making it easier for users to trade and improving the overall health of the exchange. Liquidity mining can also attract new users to DeFi, contributing to its growth and development.

    From an investment perspective, liquidity mining can provide the opportunity to earn rewards using a protocol's native tokens. This can be attractive for those looking to maximize their returns and potentially increase their overall investment portfolio.

    However, like any investment opportunity, there are also risks involved with liquidity mining. For example, liquidity mining rewards can be subject to market volatility, and the value of the rewards may decrease or become worthless in the event of a failed project or a downturn in the DeFi market.

    Risks Associated with Liquidity Mining

    There are some risks associated with participating in liquidity mining. Some of the most common risks include: 

    • High exchange commission - The exchange charges a high commission for market-making, hedging, and matching trading activities. This means you end up losing money in case of low liquidity. 
    • Low trading volume - If trading activity on an exchange is lower, you may not generate good amount of money.
    • Impermanent loss - Providing liquidity to two-sided pair can make you lose more of a token that is higher in demand and more people are buying it. It means that when you withdraw your liquidity, you end up getting less of the more demanded token because everyone kept buying it from your pool.
    • Hacks - Due to the nature of smart contracts and publicly available code, people can try to hack the protocol, draining all of the funds on it.

    How to Get Started with Liquidity Mining

    Now that you know about the liquidity mining concept, it is time to get started in a few steps. 

    • Get the funds ready - Make sure you have the funds ready before you can deposit them in the pool.‍
    • Choose the right exchange - There are a lot of exchanges out there, and it is imperative to choose the right one. You must pick an exchange with a high trading volume, good liquidity, and low fees. ‍
    • Add liquidity- Time to add the liquidity to the pair of your choosing. The more liquidity that you provide, the higher your share in that pool.‍

    The Bottom Line

    Liquidity mining is a unique way to earn passive income while providing liquidity to a platform. It is a great way as it is relatively low risk and requires minimal effort.

    However, keep in mind the risks associated with providing liquidity like impermanent loss and exchange hacks.

    Crypto Basics

    What is Shiba Inu (SHIB) Coin and is it a Good Investment?

    Token Metrics Team
    6 minutes
    MIN

    Shiba Inu (SHIB) is an Ethereum-based altcoin in the world of cryptocurrencies and has recently gained attention. It is a meme-inspired project based on the "Dogecoin" meme featuring the Shiba Inu dog as its mascot.

    SHIB has been launched as a decentralized cryptocurrency built on the Ethereum blockchain. It is a deflationary token designed to be used as a medium of exchange and store of value. SHIB has a total supply of 1,000,000,000,000 tokens and is currently being traded on major exchanges such as Binance, OKEx, and Huobi.

    SHIB has seen a huge surge in price and popularity since its launch in May 2021 and has become one of the most talked about cryptocurrencies in the market, with arguably the largest community than Bitcoin.

    In this article, we will look at Shiba Inu coin, its features, and its potential for investors.

    History Of Shiba Inu

    Originally, Shiba Inu was launched as a direct competitor of Dogecoin as a joke. Both Shiba Inu and Dogecoin come under the category of meme coins. The meme coin originated from a 2013 meme featuring the Japanese breed dog of the same name. What began as a community-driven token representing a meme became a multi-billion dollar crypto project.

    In 2020, an anonymous person or group called "Ryoshi” created a token named after the animal to continue the series of dog meme cryptocurrencies. After gaining full traction in 2021, it was declared the official rival of Dogecoin, leading Floki Inu, Akita Inu, and Dogelon Mars.

    From its creation to up until October 2021, the SHIB coin raised from a low of $0.000000000056 to an all-time high of $0.00008616, rising an incredible 150 million percent.

    Also, the generous donation of $1 billion in SHIB was a crucial moment in the coin's history that Ethereum's lead engineer and co-founder Vitalik Buterin granted to help fight the devastating spread of COVID-19 in India, making it the largest donation ever given in history. 

    The Limelight Of SHIB

    Having the support of Elon Musk is like getting the blue tick certification. Elon and his tweets have an extreme market sentiment influence which can make or break the deal for a cryptocurrency.

    Shiba Inu is one such outrageously positive outcome of his tweets. When he first posted the Shiba Inu dog image, it gave the first major push to the SHIB token, powering it up by nearly 300%.

    Some of the SHIB supporters believe it to be the "Dogecoin-Killer," too.

    Top Features of SHIB

    SHIB is a deflationary token designed to be used as a medium of exchange and store of value. It is a privacy-enabled decentralized peer-to-peer blockchain network. 

    Three types of tokens affect the SHIB ecosystem:

    1. Shiba Inu (SHIB): This is the predominant currency of this project, which sums up to a total supply of 1 quadrillion tokens when it was launched. It can be exchanged with any of the ERC20 tokens of the Ethereum ecosystem.
    2. Leash (LEASH): It is the second token in the Shiba Inu ecosystem, with a total supply of only 107,646 tokens, and was initially a rebase token tied to the price of Dogecoin. A rebase token has a flexible monetary base in that its supply is set to increase or decrease to adjust the token price without affecting the value of anyone's share of coins. The rebase function was later switched off for good, and the token returned to its ERC20 design. 
    3. Bone (BONE): With a total supply of 250,000,000 tokens, only available on ShibaSwap, BONE is intended to fill up the circulation supply gap between the other two tokens. It is a kind of governance token that will allow the ShibArmy to vote on proposals. The more BONE users possess, the more weight their vote will carry in the decision process of future projects.

    What are the Benefits of Investing in SHIB?

    A Meme-Inspired Cryptocurrency - The core feature of SHIB is that it is a meme-inspired cryptocurrency launched on the Ethereum blockchain. It is a deflationary token designed to be used as a medium of exchange and store of value.

    A Lower Price - SHIB is a low-priced token worth in pennies, which is easier for most people to invest in compared to something like Bitcoin.‍

    A Decentralized Network - SHIB aims to be a decentralized network to keep on running, without any reasons for halting.‍

    An Easy-To-Use Wallet - The SHIB blockchain network has been designed to be easy to use. This makes it a preferred option for most users. Three different wallets are available for use: Android, iOS, and Web.

    How to Purchase SHIB Token?

    SHIB and LEASH can be bought and sold on ShibaSwap, Uniswap, and a growing number of centralized exchanges (CEXs). On September 16, 2021, Coinbase listed SHIB, joining popular CEXs like Binance, Huobi, and Kucoin in trading the token. 

    However, Robinhood, a U.S. financial services platform, has yet to list SHIB due to concerns over its security, as stated by its CEO. In contrast, Robinhood's rival Public.com listed SHIB in October 2021.

    Is SHIB Token a Good Investment in 2023?

    Shiba Inu's growth largely depends on market sentiment. During extremely fearful times, Shiba Inu underperforms; however, during euphoric times, Shiba Inu has the potential to explode in popularity.

    While you analyze Shiba Inu's market position, make it a point to distinguish between market capitalization and price. SHIB's low price can deceive new investors, causing them to inaccurately gauge SHIB's price potential. Market capitalization is usually calculated by multiplying the total circulating supply of coins by the current market price of a single coin, which is useful for determining growth potential. 

    At the time of writing, SHIB's price is roughly $0.000012. Therefore, if SHIB were to reach $0.01, investors would experience a return of over 800x. However, more importantly, to reach $0.01, Shiba Inu would need to reach a whopping market value north of $5 trillion. This value is greater than the market value of Apple, Google, and Bitcoin combined. As a result, when making realistic price predictions, it's paramount to consider market capitalization.

    SHIB Price and Market Capitalization

    As of Feb 1st,2023, Shiba Inu is trading at $0.000012 USD. The current market capitalization of the SHIB token is over $6.70B. This makes SHIB rank 81st in terms of market capitalization among all cryptocurrencies.

    The Bottom Line

    The Shiba Inu developing team is quite secretive about the coin roadmap. Therefore, it's rather difficult to anticipate what's in the cards for the cryptocurrency in the near future.

    The developers might decide to burn other coins to make SHIB more deflationary than it is now and help with a price appreciation. We recently learned that Shiba is preparing to enter the Metaverse and will be burning more SHIB soon, further reducing the total supply.

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