> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://tradewatch.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# HTTP API Quickstart

> Start using our HTTP API in minutes

<Tip>
  **Don't have an API key?** [Start your free trial](https://dash.tradewatch.io/register) and get one in under 2 minutes — no credit card required.
</Tip>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Make your first request">
    Use the `latest` endpoint to get the most up-to-date exchange rates. Replace `<YOUR_API_KEY>` with your actual key.

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl "https://api.tradewatch.io/latest?base=USD&api-key=<YOUR_API_KEY>"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Parse the response">
    You will receive a JSON response with the latest rates.

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "timestamp": 1766932791,
      "base": "USD",
      "rates": {
        "NEO": 0.26667,
        "BAT": 4.48652,
        "IOT": 11.48775,
        "GHS": 11.46,
        "EGP": 47.5229,
        "IDR": 16763,
        "XLM": 4.49772,
        "USD": 1,
        "AED": 3.6721,
        "GBP": 0.74083,
        "UNI": 0.15698,
        "ETH": 0.00034,
        "DKK": 6.3514,
        "DOT": 0.53295,
        "CAD": 1.3675,
        "MXN": 17.904,
        "HUF": 328.8,
        "RON": 4.47025,
        "BIF": 2945.69,
        "MYR": 4.04849,
        "ZMW": 22.46,
        "UAH": 42.2481,
        "XMR": 0.00222,
        "FIL": 0.73558,
        "EUR": 0.84964,
        "SEK": 9.154,
        "SGD": 1.28395,
        "HKD": 7.77115,
        "AUD": 1.4886,
        "CHF": 0.78953,
        "XAU": 2.20632,
        "CNY": 7.00415,
        "LTC": 0.01261,
        "TRX": 3.52212,
        "NZD": 1.71352,
        "BNB": 0.00116,
        "TRY": 42.88678,
        "THB": 34.4565,
        "XAF": 556.9,
        "XAG": 1.26226,
        "ZEC": 0.00187,
        "OMG": 3.33337,
        "RWF": 1447.83,
        "KZT": 505.21,
        "BDT": 122.1494,
        "RUB": 77.27701,
        "ZAR": 16.6621,
        "NOK": 10.00901,
        "INR": 89.8812,
        "JPY": 156.58849,
        "CZK": 20.606,
        "ADA": 2.69423,
        "BRL": 5.5444,
        "BTC": 0.00001,
        "PLN": 3.58082,
        "PHP": 58.7051,
        "KES": 128.85,
        "ILS": 3.18846
      }
    }
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="WebSocket Quickstart" icon="bolt" href="/quickstart/websocket-api">
    Real-time streaming connection for live exchange rate updates.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discover API endpoints" icon="server" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    Explore all available endpoints and parameters.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

If a request fails, see [Errors & Troubleshooting](/platform/errors-and-troubleshooting) for recovery steps for `401`, `403`, `404`, and `429` responses.

<Card title="Ready to go beyond the trial? View plans →" icon="rocket" href="https://dash.tradewatch.io/billing" color="#B63592">
  Upgrade to access real-time data, higher request limits, and WebSocket streaming.
</Card>