Free Foreign Exchange & Crypto Rates API - 26 Years Historical Data

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Access 593 real-time and historical forex rates plus EU VAT rates with a completely free API. With 26 years of historical data dating back to 1999 and cryptocurrency pricing since Bitcoin’s inception in 2009, this powerful tool is built for developers who need reliable, comprehensive, and easy-to-integrate financial data—no credit card required.

Whether you're building a currency converter, analyzing global market trends, or integrating crypto into your application, this API delivers accurate exchange rate information from trusted financial sources.

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Why Developers Choose This Free Forex & Crypto API

Thousands of developers worldwide trust this API for its simplicity, reliability, and depth of data. It combines decades of historical forex data with real-time cryptocurrency rates—all accessible through a clean, RESTful interface.

Key Features at a Glance

The API is designed with developer experience in mind—simple implementation, consistent responses, and detailed documentation make integration seamless across any tech stack.

Global Currency Coverage

This API supports all major world currencies, used across more than 150 countries. From USD to JPY, EUR to ZAR, every significant fiat currency is included with full historical context.

Examples of supported conversions:

Plus, major cryptocurrencies like:

You can retrieve live rates, convert values between currencies, or analyze long-term trends using time-series endpoints—all in one unified system.

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Multiple Data Formats & Easy Integration

Choose the response format that fits your workflow: JSON, XML, CSV, TSV, or JSONP. Most users prefer JSON due to its lightweight structure and native compatibility with modern programming languages.

Integration takes just two lines of code in any language that supports HTTP requests. Here's an example in JavaScript:

const response = await fetch('https://api.unirateapi.com/api/rates?api_key=your-api-key&from=USD');
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data.rates);

With clear documentation and code samples for all major platforms, getting started is fast and frustration-free.

Trusted Financial Data Sources

Accuracy matters when dealing with financial data. That’s why exchange rates are aggregated from authoritative sources including:

These sources ensure stable, verified data that updates in real time during trading hours. Cryptocurrency prices are pulled from leading exchanges to reflect current market conditions.

All data undergoes validation checks before delivery, minimizing errors and ensuring consistency across requests.

Complete API Endpoints Overview

Get Current Exchange Rates

Endpoint: GET /api/rates
Retrieve the latest forex and crypto rates with a base currency.

{
 "base": "USD",
 "rates": {
 "EUR": 0.85,
 "GBP": 0.73,
 "JPY": 110.0,
 "BTC": 0.00001
 }
}

Convert Between Currencies

Endpoint: GET /api/convert
Convert any amount between two currencies.

{
 "amount": 100,
 "from": "USD",
 "to": "EUR",
 "result": 85.0
}

Access Historical Rates

Endpoint: GET /api/historical/rates
Fetch exchange rates for a specific past date.

{
 "date": "2024-01-01",
 "base": "USD",
 "rates": {
 "EUR": 0.90,
 "GBP": 0.79,
 "JPY": 148.5
 }
}

Retrieve Time Series Data

Endpoint: GET /api/historical/timeseries
Get daily rates over a custom date range (up to 5 years).

{
 "start_date": "2024-01-01",
 "end_date": "2024-01-03",
 "base": "USD",
 "data": {
 "2024-01-01": {"EUR": 0.90},
 "2024-01-02": {"EUR": 0.89},
 "2024-01-03": {"EUR": 0.88}
 }
}

List All Supported Currencies

Endpoint: GET /api/currencies
Get a complete list of available currencies.

{
 "currencies": ["USD", "EUR", "GBP", "JPY", "BTC", "ETH"],
 "count": 593
}

Check Historical Data Availability

Endpoint: GET /api/historical/limits
See how far back historical data goes per currency.

{
 "currencies": {
 "EUR": {
 "earliest_date": "1999-01-01",
 "latest_date": "2025-12-31",
 "total_days": 9664
 }
 },
 "total_currencies": 170
}

Get EU VAT Rates

Endpoint: GET /api/vat/rates
Access up-to-date VAT percentages for all EU member states.

{
 "vat_rates": {
 "DE": { "country_code": "DE", "country_name": "Germany", "vat_rate": 19.0 },
 "FR": { "country_code": "FR", "country_name": "France", "vat_rate": 20.0 }
 }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

How much historical forex data is available?

The API provides 26 years of historical exchange rates, starting from January 1, 1999. Cryptocurrency data is available from Bitcoin’s launch in 2009 onward.

Are there any usage limits or costs?

No. The API is completely free forever with no credit card required. There are no hidden fees or tiered pricing. A soft rate limit of 30 requests per minute applies to prevent abuse.

Which currencies and cryptocurrencies are supported?

A total of 593 currencies are supported: over 170 fiat currencies and more than 420 cryptocurrencies, making it one of the most extensive free APIs available.

Is real-time data provided?

Yes. Exchange rates are updated continuously throughout the trading day using feeds from the ECB, major banks, and top crypto exchanges.

Where does the data come from?

Forex data is sourced from the European Central Bank, reputable commercial banks, and established financial providers. VAT data comes directly from the European Commission.

Do I need to credit the API?

Yes. You must include visible attribution on pages displaying the rates:
Exchange Rates By UniRateAPI
This helps sustain the free version and ensures long-term availability.

Built by Developers, for Developers

This API was created to solve real-world problems faced by developers needing accurate, long-term financial data without complexity or cost. Every feature—from consistent JSON responses to multi-format support—was designed with usability in mind.

Whether you're working on fintech apps, e-commerce platforms, or blockchain projects, this tool simplifies access to critical global rate information.

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Final Thoughts

With free access, extensive coverage, and developer-first design, this API stands out as a go-to resource for real-time and historical exchange rate data. Combine decades of forex history with modern crypto pricing—all through a simple, reliable interface.

Start integrating today and power your applications with accurate, up-to-date financial insights.

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