> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kraken-sandbox.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Exchange API reference

> Choose a protocol — REST, WebSocket, or FIX — for Spot or Derivatives trading

Kraken's Exchange APIs span two trading engines (Spot and Derivatives) and three protocols (REST, WebSocket, FIX). Pick the surface that matches your workflow.

<Note>
  New here? Start with [Choose your protocol](/exchange/guides/general/api-comparison) for a side-by-side feature and latency comparison.
</Note>

## Spot

Order management, account data, market data, funding, and Earn on Kraken's Spot trading engine.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Spot REST" icon="code" href="/api-reference/market-data/get-server-time">
    Account, trading, funding, and Earn. Public and private endpoints over HTTPS.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Spot WebSocket" icon="bolt" href="/exchange/api-reference/spot-websocket">
    Real-time market data and order entry. v2 recommended; v1 maintained.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Spot FIX" icon="terminal" href="/exchange/api-reference/unified-fix">
    Lowest-latency order entry via Unified FIX 4.4.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Derivatives

Perpetuals and dated contracts on BTC, ETH, and more.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Derivatives REST" icon="code" href="/api-reference/market-data/get-tickers">
    Order entry, account, positions, fills, and historical data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Derivatives WebSocket" icon="bolt" href="/exchange/api-reference/futures-websocket">
    Streaming-only market data and account updates.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Derivatives FIX" icon="terminal" href="/exchange/api-reference/unified-fix">
    Order entry via Unified FIX 4.4 — same session as Spot FIX.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Not sure where to start?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Choose your protocol" icon="table" href="/exchange/guides/general/api-comparison">
    Side-by-side feature, latency, and sequencing comparison.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication" icon="lock" href="/exchange/guides/rest/authentication">
    HMAC-SHA512 signing for REST and WebSocket private endpoints.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Rate limits" icon="gauge" href="/exchange/guides/general/ratelimits">
    Limits across REST, WebSocket, and FIX.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Errors" icon="triangle-exclamation" href="/exchange/guides/general/errors">
    Common errors and how to resolve them.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>