CoinDesk API Explorer

Comprehensive exploration and documentation of the CoinDesk REST Data API.

Overview

This repository contains tools, scripts, and documentation for exploring and testing the CoinDesk Digital Asset Data REST API. The API provides comprehensive coverage of digital assets including:

• Centralized and decentralized spot, futures, and options exchanges
• Up-to-the-minute news and social metrics
• On-chain metrics and DeFi data
• Historical order book snapshots
• Reference prices and indices

API Information

• Base URL: https://data-api.coindesk.com
• Documentation: https://developers.coindesk.com/documentation/data-api/introduction
• Rate Limit Endpoint: https://data-api.coindesk.com/admin/v2/rate/limit
• Status Page: https://status.coindesk.com/

Authentication

CoinDesk API supports three authentication methods:

1. Query Parameter: ?api_key={YOUR_API_KEY}
2. Authorization Header:
   • Bearer Token: Authorization: Bearer {YOUR_API_KEY}
   • API Key: Authorization: Apikey {YOUR_API_KEY}
3. X-API-Key Header: x-api-key: {YOUR_API_KEY}

Rate Limiting

• Account-level rate limiting (not per API key)
• Based on calls, not credits
• Multiple time windows: per second, minute, hour, day, month
• Response headers provide detailed rate limit info:
  • X-Ratelimit-Limit — Maximum requests per time window
  • X-Ratelimit-Remaining — Remaining requests
  • X-Ratelimit-Reset — Time until reset

Project Structure

ExploreCoinDesk-API/
├── config/              # API configuration files
│   ├── coindesk.env     # Environment variables (API keys)
│   └── coindesk.env.example
├── docs/                # API documentation
├── scripts/             # Probe scripts for testing endpoints
├── src/                 # Shared utilities and API client
└── tests/               # Test files

Getting Started

1. Configure API Key:

   # Copy example config
   cp config/coindesk.env.example config/coindesk.env
   # Edit config/coindesk.env with your API key

2. Install Dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Check Rate Limits:

   python scripts/check_rate_limits.py

Features

• ✅ Comprehensive data depth across all digital asset classes
• ✅ Standardized instrument mapping
• ✅ Multiple exchange support (spot, futures, options, DeFi)
• ✅ Unified data format (JSON, CSV available)
• ✅ CCSEQ (CoinDesk Sequence) for reliable data ordering
• ✅ Transparent rate limiting with detailed headers
• ✅ ISO 27001 certified for security

Documentation

• API Endpoint Reference
• Integration Guide

Next Steps

• Explore REST Data API endpoints
• Document rate limits and usage patterns
• Create probe scripts for major endpoint categories
• Test authentication methods
• Document response formats

Support

• Email: support@ccdata.io
• Status: https://status.coindesk.com/
• Documentation: https://developers.coindesk.com/

---

Created: January 2, 2026
Last Updated: January 2, 2026