API is an acronym for Application Programming Interface.
In general, an API is an interface that allows two unrelated systems to interact with each other (in the same sense that a restaurant server enables the customer and the chef to interact). An API specification describes the way that each of the two systems must interact with the API itself (such as the language that must be used, the syntax of messages that are passed back and forth, how quickly messages can be sent, etc.).
Specifically for cryptocurrency trading, our APIs enables you to interact with our exchanges programmatically (via software instead of a human interface), allowing you to obtain real time market data, make trades and manage your account.
A few of the tasks that can be accomplished via our API:
Download historical market data
Stream real time market data
Place and cancel trading orders
View account balances, download trading history, make funding transactions
Allocate or deallocate funds to an earn strategy
and much more ...
Our API developer center provides detailed specifications and instructions for using our REST API, WebSocket API, and FIX API; and our API Support articles provide additional information about specific tasks (such as how to retrieve our historical market data) along with a variety of example code and in depth explanations.
We also provide support and additional services for institutions that wish to integrate with our APIs. Please contact us directly via the support form here for more information.