Skip to content
Get packs

Guide · Open source

How to use ccxt: install it and call crypto exchanges in code

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

ccxt is an open-source library that lets your code talk to many cryptocurrency exchanges using the same set of functions, instead of learning each exchange's API separately. It is aimed at developers, technically skilled traders, data scientists and financial analysts. After this guide you will know which language version to install, how to install it, and what the library covers.

CCXTccxt/ccxt · ★ 44.7k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check your runtime. Confirm you have Node.js 18+ for JavaScript or TypeScript, or Python 3 for Python.
  2. 2Install the package. Run pip install ccxt for Python or npm install ccxt for JavaScript or TypeScript.
  3. 3Pick an exchange. Choose one of the exchanges the library supports, and read its entry in the project's exchange list.
  4. 4Make a public data call. Start with public market data, which does not require an account, to confirm the library works.
  5. 5Add private calls only when needed. Use account keys for private APIs only after you have read the exchange's requirements.
  6. 6Build your own logic. Write your analysis, backtest or bot code on top of the unified functions.

What ccxt is and who it is for

The CCXT library connects to cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide. It gives quick access to market data for storage, analysis, visualization, indicator development, algorithmic trading, strategy backtesting and bot programming.

The README says it is intended for coders, developers, technically skilled traders, data scientists and financial analysts building trading algorithms. It is a library, not a finished trading app, so you need to write code to use it.

  • Public and private APIs, over both REST and WebSocket
  • A unified API so the same calls work across exchanges
  • Available for JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, C#, PHP, Go, Java and Rust

Check the requirements for your language

The version you need depends on the language you use. The README lists these runtimes.

  • JavaScript/TypeScript: Node.js 18+
  • Python: Python 3
  • PHP 8.1+, Go 1.20+, Java 21+ and .NET netstandard2.0/2.1 are also listed in the README

Install ccxt for Python or JavaScript

Install ccxt with your language's package manager. For Python, use pip. For JavaScript or TypeScript, use npm.

Other languages have their own install steps, which are listed in the README and the project's manual.

pip install ccxt npm install ccxt

Understand the unified API

Each exchange is available as an object that exposes the same set of functions. Once you learn the common calls, you can switch exchanges with less rework than learning each exchange's API from scratch.

The library can optionally normalize data for cross-exchange analytics and arbitrage. Private account calls are also supported, so check the exchange's own requirements before using them.

  • Public market data needs no account
  • Private account APIs are available for exchanges that support them
  • Prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi are listed among supported venues

Know what ccxt does not do

CCXT does not provide trading advice, and the README includes a disclaimer that it cannot guarantee trading results. It is also not a ready-made app for people who do not code.

If you want a finished bot or interface, the README's See Also section names projects such as Freqtrade, OctoBot and Hummingbot.

What people use it for

  • Pulling market data from several exchanges into one format for analysis
  • Backtesting trading strategies on historical exchange data
  • Building a trading bot or algorithmic trading software
  • Creating one integration layer across multiple exchanges

Frequently asked questions

Is ccxt free to use?

The project is open source and released under the MIT licence. The README does not list any paid tiers for the library itself, so check the licence file in the repository for the full terms.

What do I need to install ccxt?

You need Python 3 for the Python version or Node.js 18+ for the JavaScript and TypeScript version. Then run pip install ccxt or npm install ccxt.

Does ccxt support Python?

Yes. The README lists Python 3 as a supported runtime and gives pip install ccxt as the install command.

Is ccxt a trading app?

No. The README describes a library that you call from code. It is not a finished end-user trading program with a graphical interface.

What are alternatives to ccxt?

The README's See Also section lists Freqtrade, OctoBot and Hummingbot. Those are trading bot projects, so they suit people who want a ready-made bot more than a library.

Which exchanges does ccxt support?

The README says it supports more than 100 exchanges and prediction markets, including Polymarket, Kalshi, Hyperliquid, Limitless and Myriad. The project maintains an exchange markets list on its wiki.

New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week

The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.

Our verdict

ccxt suits developers, data scientists and technically skilled traders who want one set of functions across many crypto exchanges. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants a no-code trading app or guaranteed results, since the README says it does not give trading advice.

Install options & downloads