dYdX API
dYdX API
dYdX is a decentralized derivatives exchange (perpetuals DEX) API — runs on StarkEx Layer 2, offering low-fee + on-chain settlement derivatives trading.
Decentralized (funds stay on-chain, non-custodial)
UX more complex than CEX (wallet signatures)
Login at dydx.exchange with wallet to create sub-account. Python SDK: dydx-v3-python (v3) or dydx-v4-client (v4).
Uptime · 30-day window
About this API
dYdX is a decentralized exchange founded 2017, the leader in DEX derivatives (perpetuals) since 2021. Like Uniswap (spot DEX), dYdX is a derivatives DEX — non-custodial (your funds stay in your own wallet, not given to a centralized entity) but supports perpetuals. Technically: v3 runs on StarkEx Layer 2 (zk-rollup) for lower gas fees; v4 (2023+) migrated to dYdX's own Cosmos chain. API design borrows CEX experience — uses REST + WebSocket, order placement similar to Binance, but actually generates wallet-signed on-chain orders. Most friendly for traders wanting DEX but CEX-like experience.
What you can build
- 1DEX perpetuals trading
- 2Decentralized arbitrage
- 3On-chain margin trading
- 4Derivatives traders avoiding CEX regulation
Strengths & limitations
Strengths
- Decentralized (funds stay on-chain, non-custodial)
- Layer 2 — cheap and fast
- Deepest derivatives liquidity among DEXs
Limitations
- UX more complex than CEX (wallet signatures)
- v3 on StarkEx; v4 migrated to own Cosmos chain (dual API during migration)
- Some markets less complete than Binance
Example request
curl https://dydx.exchange/<endpoint> \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY"
# Some providers use X-Api-Key instead — verify in the docs.Getting started
Login at dydx.exchange with wallet to create sub-account. Python SDK: dydx-v3-python (v3) or dydx-v4-client (v4).
FAQ
v3 or v4?+
v3 still maintained but v4 is the future. New projects use v4; dual API works during migration.
Technical details
- Auth type
- api_key
- Pricing
- free
- Rate limit
- public 100 req/10s; authenticated 175 req/10s
- Protocols
- REST, WebSocket
- SDKs
- python, typescript
- Response time
- 1046 ms
- Last health check
- 5/12/2026, 7:37:20 AM