Crypto API Documentation – Real-Time Prices, Market Data & Global Metrics

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The cryptocurrency landscape is evolving rapidly, and access to reliable, real-time market data has become essential for developers, traders, and analysts. With CoinMarketCap discontinuing its public API, a new solution is now available through Alternative.me’s Crypto API—a robust, free, and developer-friendly resource for up-to-date digital asset pricing, global market statistics, and ticker information.

Whether you're building a trading dashboard, integrating crypto prices into your app, or analyzing market trends, this documentation provides everything you need to get started with seamless data integration.

Why Use the Alternative.me Crypto API?

As the demand for transparent and accurate cryptocurrency data grows, so does the need for trustworthy sources. Alternative.me’s API fills the gap left by discontinued services, offering a clean, well-documented interface that requires no authentication and supports real-time price updates every 5 minutes.

Developers who previously relied on CoinMarketCap’s v1 or v2 endpoints can transition smoothly—often without modifying their existing codebase.

👉 Discover how easy it is to integrate real-time crypto data into your project.

Core Features of the Crypto API

The API is structured into two main versions—v2 (recommended) and v1 (legacy)—with enhanced functionality in v2 including flexible sorting, expanded conversion options, and improved response formatting.

Supported Data Types

Key Cryptocurrencies Covered

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Ripple (XRP), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and over 900 additional tokens and coins.

Conversion Options

Supports both fiat and cryptocurrency conversions:

This flexibility makes the API ideal for international applications and multi-currency dashboards.

API Endpoints: Version 2 (Recommended)

Version 2 offers greater control over data structure and sorting, making it ideal for modern applications requiring customization.

Listings Endpoint

URL: /listings/
Method: GET
Description: Returns an overview of all supported cryptocurrencies. Use the returned id or website_slug to query specific ticker data.

Example Response:

{
 "data": [
 {
 "id": "1",
 "name": "Bitcoin",
 "symbol": "BTC",
 "website_slug": "bitcoin"
 },
 {
 "id": "2",
 "name": "Litecoin",
 "symbol": "LTC",
 "website_slug": "litecoin"
 }
 ],
 "metadata": {
 "timestamp": 1537430627,
 "num_cryptocurrencies": 935
 }
}

Ticker Endpoint (All Coins)

URL: /ticker/
Method: GET
Description: Fetch real-time price data for all cryptocurrencies.

Optional Parameters:

Sample Use Case:
/ticker/?convert=EUR&limit=5&sort=percent_change_24h

Ticker for Specific Currency

URL: /ticker/(id|website_slug)
Method: GET
Description: Retrieve detailed data for a single cryptocurrency using its ID or slug.

Example: /ticker/bitcoin/ returns Bitcoin’s latest metrics.

Response Includes:

👉 Start pulling live crypto prices in minutes with minimal setup.

Global Market Data Endpoint

URL: /global/
Method: GET
Description: Get a snapshot of the entire crypto market.

Optional Parameter:

Returned Metrics:

Useful for dashboards tracking overall market health or sentiment analysis tools.

Legacy API: Version 1

While v1 remains functional, it lacks some of the advanced features of v2. However, migration is straightforward.

Ticker (All Coins)

Returns an array of cryptocurrency objects with basic USD pricing and volume data. No nested quotes object—fields are flat (e.g., price_usd, market_cap_usd).

Ticker (Specific Coin)

Same structure but filtered by coin. Supports convert parameter to add additional currency fields like price_eur.

Global Data

Returns top-level market stats in flat format: total_market_cap_usd, bitcoin_percentage_of_market_cap, etc.

⚠️ Recommendation: Migrate to v2 for better scalability and future-proofing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the Alternative.me Crypto API free to use?
A: Yes. The API is completely free with no authentication required. It will remain free indefinitely, though terms may change with notice.

Q: How often is the data updated?
A: All endpoints refresh every 5 minutes, ensuring timely and consistent data delivery without overloading servers.

Q: Can I use this API for commercial applications?
A: Absolutely. You’re free to use the data in any project—commercial or personal—without restrictions.

Q: Are there rate limits?
A: Yes. The limit is 60 requests per minute, averaged over a 10-minute window. For higher-volume needs, contact support.

Q: Where does the data come from?
A: Data is aggregated from a curated list of reputable exchanges including Binance, Kraken, Huobi, and Coinbase Pro. Only platforms with significant real trading activity are included to prevent fake volume distortion.

Q: Do I need to credit Alternative.me?
A: Not mandatory, but appreciated. A link or attribution like “Data from Alternative.me” helps support the project.

Data Integrity & Exchange Selection

Unlike platforms that pull data from hundreds of exchanges—many inflating volume figures—Alternative.me prioritizes data accuracy over quantity. Only exchanges with strong user engagement and verifiable trade volumes are included:

This selective approach ensures developers receive reliable metrics not skewed by wash trading or artificial liquidity.

Technical Notes

Final Thoughts

The Alternative.me Crypto API delivers a powerful combination of simplicity, reliability, and flexibility—perfect for developers building the next generation of blockchain tools. Whether you're creating a portfolio tracker, DeFi analytics platform, or educational resource, this API gives you instant access to high-quality market data.

With no cost, no login, and minimal setup required, integrating real-time cryptocurrency metrics has never been easier.

👉 See what you can build when real-time crypto data meets powerful development tools.

Core Keywords Integrated: