KuCoin API
Provides REST and WebSocket access to KuCoin's cryptocurrency exchange for spot, margin, and futures trading, market data, and account management.
Score Breakdown
⚙ Agent Friendliness
🔒 Security
HMAC-SHA256 signing with timestamp replay protection; API key IP whitelisting supported; passphrase adds third credential factor
⚡ Reliability
Best When
Building algorithmic trading systems that need broad market coverage, high-volume access, and both spot and derivatives markets on a single exchange.
Avoid When
Targeting US retail users (KuCoin exited US market in 2023) or when on-chain settlement guarantees are required.
Use Cases
- • Algorithmic trading bots executing spot and futures orders
- • Real-time market data streaming via WebSocket
- • Portfolio monitoring and balance tracking
- • Order book depth analysis for market making
- • Automated DCA (dollar-cost averaging) strategies
Not For
- • Non-crypto financial markets
- • Decentralized or on-chain trading
- • Users in jurisdictions where KuCoin is restricted (e.g., US)
Interface
Authentication
API key + secret + passphrase required. HMAC-SHA256 signature on timestamp + method + endpoint + body for all private endpoints. Supports IP whitelist restrictions per key.
Pricing
API access is free; exchange trading fees apply (0.1% maker/taker base, reduced by KCS holdings)
Agent Metadata
Known Gotchas
- ⚠ HMAC signing requires timestamp within 5 seconds of server time — agents must sync clocks
- ⚠ Three-part credential (key + secret + passphrase) adds auth complexity
- ⚠ clientOid must be used for safe order retries; omitting it risks duplicate orders
- ⚠ Rate limit headers not always consistent across endpoint classes
- ⚠ WebSocket tokens expire and must be refreshed (REST call required to get new token)
- ⚠ US users blocked; geographic IP checks may affect agent deployments
Alternatives
Full Evaluation Report
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Package Brief
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Scores are editorial opinions as of 2026-03-06.