Best Crypto Exchange APIs for Web3 Entrepreneurs in 2025
“Crypto exchange API” is a term often misunderstood on the internet. In fact, it could mean two different things for two different kinds of users.
APIs created by trading platforms such as Binance or Coinbase are created primarily for traders. They are called crypto trading APIs. These APIs are used for data analysis, to design trading bots, and for automatic execution of trades.
Whereas, APIs created by exchange platforms such as ChangeNOW and Monease are created for Web3 entrepreneurs. These are called crypto exchange APIs.
These are used to add various functionalities into your Web3/DeFi app or website such as crypto exchanges with fiat or crypto-to-crypto swaps.
Let’s take a look at the differences and why the discrepancy exists, before we delve into the different options available in the market.
Key Takeaways
Crypto Exchange APIs ≠ Crypto Trading APIs
Exchange APIs are for Web3 apps (e.g. wallets), while trading APIs are built for traders and bots.ChangeNOW and Monease are top exchange API providers for Web3 entrepreneurs offering white-label and integration-ready solutions.
MEXC, CoinEx, and Phemex provide powerful trading APIs for advanced trading features like arbitrage, bots, and algorithmic strategies.
Choose based on your needs — integration and simplicity for Web3 builders, speed and automation for traders.
What is a Crypto Exchange?
A crypto exchange is an online platform for trading fiat for cryptocurrency and swapping crypto for other coins. It’s basically a Web3 money-changer that allows you to exchange between both real-world currency (fiat) and digital currencies (crypto).
Centralized exchanges (CEX) act as intermediaries. They let users exchange cryptocurrencies and fiat. These platforms are centralized businesses and must follow regulations from their operating countries.
Decentralized exchanges (DEX) have no governing body. They use blockchain for transactions. Users interact directly, without needing to share personal information.
Crypto exchanges with APIs allow Web3 entrepreneurs to build their own crypto exchange services. This can either be done as a part of another service as an integration (for example, a crypto wallet) or as a standalone product (whitelabel solution).
What is a Crypto Trading Platform?
A crypto trading platform combines the functionality of exchanges and adds trading tools on top of it. They are used to carry out a huge number of transactions quickly, using multiple currency pairs to maximize profit.
It is possible to exchange money using trading platforms, however, the process is slightly different. Trading platforms require you to make a deposit and then withdraw money from your balance to another crypto wallet.
In order to get fiat for your crypto, you can only use P2P features of platforms like Binance or KuCoin.
Crypto exchange platforms, however, make this simple and allow you to exchange directly from crypto-to-crypto or crypto-to-fiat (or vice versa) without P2P.
Crypto Exchange API vs Crypto Trading API - What’s the Difference?
Definition: Crypto Exchange API
A crypto exchange API is offered by a Crypto Exchange that only handles crypto-to-fiat, fiat-to-crypto or crypto-to-crypto exchanges (known as swaps). This API allows you to integrate the exchange service into your product.
Say, you have a crypto wallet and now you want your users to be able to buy crypto using fiat as well. You can achieve this very easily using a crypto exchange API that integrates natively into your wallet.
In other words, you can use this API as a payment gateway (to allow users to buy crypto with fiat without leaving your platform) or swap their crypto with another digital asset.
Usually, when a user tries to buy crypto or swap for another token from within the wallet (such as TrustWallet or NOW Wallet) without going to an exchange such as Binance, their transaction is handled by the crypto exchange API.
ChangeNOW.io has a crypto exchange API that offers access to CEX and DEX liquidity, several exchange flow options, fiat on and off-ramp and much more. It’s integrated with a lot of wallets and does its job in the background to ensure that the user is able to carry out any transaction from the comfort of their wallets.
Definition: Crypto Trading API
Crypto trading APIs, on the other hand, are provided by crypto trading platforms such as Binance. These APIs are designed for traders who want to leverage the technology of a trading platform to carry out trades efficiently and autonomously.
Where speed and 24/7 working hours are important, especially in arbitrage trade, advanced API features give a powerful tool for retrieving historical and real-time data on a vast amount of crypto, including market cap, trading volume and price.
Traders pick APIs based on a number of factors such as ease of integration and quality of documentation. For instance, KuCoin exchange places it on its own website and provides all necessary information, while Bibox and Lbank lack some important points necessary for developers.
Choosing between WebSocket and REST APIs needs to be researched based on different architectural choices they provide, implementation considerations, and their performance characteristics.
Let’s take a look at some popular options available in the market for both crypto exchange and trading platform APIs in 2025.
Best Crypto Exchange APIs for Web3 Entrepreneurs in 2025
ChangeNOW for Business
ChangeNOW is a limitless exchange. You can start with less than two dollars and swap as much as you want with no upper limit.
But most importantly it has one of the best crypto exchange APIs for Web3 entrepreneurs. It is fully configurable and can be integrated with both web platforms and mobile apps.
With its simple set up process, you can easily add functionality for cross-chain swaps to your app and give access to CEX and DEX liquidity to your users. It supports 1225+ cryptos and thousands of trading pairs, in addition to a substantial range of fiat currencies traders can use (70+)
The development team actively adds new features and works with its clients to build solid crypto exchange technologies. As a Web3 entrepreneur, you can either go for a full white label solution or incorporate certain features into your ecosystem that you need.
You can check out the API documentation here.
Talk to the team to discuss integration here.
Drawbacks
ChangeNOW lacks futures and derivatives contracts since it's not a traditional exchange used for trading purposes. It’s purely used for crypto and fiat operations.
Monease
Monease is a cost-effective platform with various tools for business, including APIs, wallets and CRM. There is no need to register for other transactions.
They have a team of developers who help Web3 entrepreneurs design a customized website or a mobile app (as part of their full white label offering).
Monease’s API delivers seamless integration with various platforms (web, mobile, e-commerce). Fintech startups can enjoy white-label solutions for a faster time-to market and cost-effective launch.
Drawbacks
Monease tech support is quite slow, which can be a hindrance for business users with issues that need immediate response, as reported by many reviewers online.
Best Crypto Trading APIs for Traders in 2025
MEXC
MEXC is an exchange with multiple trading options, including spot and P2P trading, futures trading, leveraged ETFs, and savings products.
MEXC offers a broad selection of cryptocurrencies with less common altcoins available. High volume traders can also benefit from a competitive fee structure offered by MEXC.
Apart from speed and real-time data access, the MEXC API offers a customizable experience. Finetuning dashboards, trading bots and applications is easy and intuitive.
You can also check out the API documentation for MEXC.
Drawbacks
The disadvantages of MEXC are regional restrictions and the absence of advanced trading features such as algorithmic trading or customizable trading bots.
CoinEx
CoinEx is designed specifically for crypto traders looking for a globally accessible solution.
The platform is easy to start for beginners with its user-friendly interface and has a very simple onboarding process. The customer support does a good job and even offers feedback for those who are just getting into crypto.
Additionally, the platform allows you to stake an extensive selection of altcoins for long-term investment and/or passive income.
The CoinEx API is designed to build advanced trading bots that function on pre-defined criteria. It also has features for advanced users such as algorithmic trading, market making, and arbitrage.
Read the API documentation for CoinEx here.
Drawbacks
The platform uses third-party payment gateways. This means that you might encounter high fees on some payment methods (also depending on where you live).
Some users also reported problems with withdrawals. Always pick an exchange that supports local payment methods in your country to avoid this issue.
Phemex
Phemex is a crypto exchange with a high daily trading volume, proving its popularity and trustworthiness among traders.
With several payment methods available (bank transfer, credit/debit card payment, and third-party payments), Phemex can be appealing for beginners. Also, the exchange offers new users a welcome bonus. And there are fiat deposits with no fee.
Trade on-the-go is also possible with this exchange through user-friendly mobile apps available for both iOS and Android.
The Phemex API supports spot, futures trading, deposit & withdrawal. Although there is an API for all users, institutional users, market makers, and VIP users can have higher API rate limit and trading speed.
Drawbacks
Currently, there are about 200 cryptocurrencies and stablecoins supported on Phemex. It is a disadvantage for many investors, who are looking for more options.
Conclusion
Well, that’s that. Hopefully this article helped you improve your understanding of crypto exchanges, crypto trading platforms and the various APIs they offer.
The Web3 space is constantly evolving and there’s a solution for everyone out there - whether you’re a trader or a Web3 entrepreneur. APIs and white-label solutions are designed to give you the edge - so you can quickly build a great product and get it launched faster than your competitors.
ChangeNOW for Business is designed for entrepreneurs who want to build better Web3 exchange technologies, including wallets, exchanges, and more. To find out more about how you can get started, get in touch with us below.
