Get FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) prices using this API
In the world of finance, the demand for real-time data has never been greater, especially in the precious metals market. One of the most sought-after assets is gold, represented by the symbol XAU. Investors and traders alike are constantly looking for reliable sources of information to make informed decisions. This is where the Metals-API comes into play, providing a robust platform for accessing real-time and historical gold prices, among other metals. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of the Metals-API, its capabilities, and how it can empower developers to create innovative applications in the precious metals market.
Understanding Gold (XAU)
Gold has been a symbol of wealth and stability for centuries. As a precious metal, it plays a crucial role in the global economy, serving as a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations. The digital transformation in precious metals trading has opened up new avenues for investors, allowing them to access data analytics and market insights like never before. With the integration of technology in trading, the process of price discovery has become more efficient, enabling traders to make quicker and more informed decisions.
The rise of digital asset solutions has further enhanced the trading landscape, allowing for seamless transactions and real-time data access. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can build applications that provide users with up-to-date information on gold prices, historical trends, and market fluctuations, all of which are essential for making sound investment decisions.
API Description
The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide developers with access to real-time and historical data for various metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. This API is built with innovation in mind, offering a range of features that allow for the creation of next-generation applications. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, developers can easily integrate the API into their projects.
One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data. Depending on the subscription plan, users can receive updates every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This capability is crucial for traders who need to stay ahead of market movements. Additionally, the API offers historical rates dating back to 2019, allowing users to analyze trends over time and make informed predictions about future price movements.
Key Features and Endpoints
The Metals-API boasts a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs within the precious metals market. Here are some of the key features:
Latest Rates Endpoint
The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rates for all available metals. This endpoint is essential for traders who require up-to-the-minute information on market prices. For example, a typical response from this endpoint might look like this:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1746068435,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-05-01",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912,
"XPD": 0.000744
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}In this response, the "rates" object provides the current price of gold (XAU) in relation to USD, which is crucial for traders looking to make quick decisions.
Historical Rates Endpoint
The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access exchange rates for any date since 1999. This feature is invaluable for analyzing past market behavior and identifying trends. A sample response might look like this:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1745982035,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-04-30",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}This endpoint enables developers to create applications that visualize historical data, helping users to understand how gold prices have fluctuated over time.
Bid And Ask Endpoint
The Bid and Ask Endpoint is another powerful feature that provides real-time bid and ask prices for metals. This information is crucial for traders who need to know the current market spread. An example response could be:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1746068435,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-05-01",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 2.0e-6
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}Understanding the bid and ask prices allows traders to make informed decisions about when to enter or exit a position.
Convert Endpoint
The Convert Endpoint enables users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for traders who deal with multiple currencies. A typical response might look like this:
{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1746068435,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}This endpoint simplifies the process of currency conversion, making it easier for traders to manage their portfolios.
Time-Series Endpoint
The Time-Series Endpoint allows users to query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice. This feature is essential for analyzing trends over specific periods. An example response could be:
{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-04-24",
"end_date": "2025-05-01",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-04-24": {
"XAU": 0.000485
},
"2025-05-01": {
"XAU": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}This endpoint is particularly useful for developers looking to create applications that visualize price trends over time.
Fluctuation Endpoint
The Fluctuation Endpoint provides information about how currencies fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This feature is crucial for understanding market volatility. A sample response might look like this:
{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-04-24",
"end_date": "2025-05-01",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"start_rate": 0.000485,
"end_rate": 0.000482,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.62
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}This endpoint allows traders to gauge the stability of gold prices over a specified period, providing insights into market trends.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint
The OHLC Price Endpoint provides data on the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This information is essential for technical analysis. A typical response might look like this:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1746068435,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-05-01",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}This endpoint is particularly useful for traders who rely on historical price data to make predictions about future movements.
Historical LME Endpoint
The Historical LME Endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008. This endpoint is crucial for analyzing long-term trends in the metals market.
List of Symbols
The Metals-API provides access to a comprehensive range of metal symbols. For a complete list of all supported symbols and their specifications, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page. This resource is invaluable for developers looking to integrate specific metals into their applications.
Conclusion
The Metals-API is a transformative tool for developers in the precious metals market. By providing real-time and historical data for metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, it empowers users to make informed trading decisions. With features like the Latest Rates Endpoint, Historical Rates Endpoint, and Bid and Ask Endpoint, developers can create applications that deliver valuable insights to traders.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the integration of technology in trading will only become more pronounced. The Metals-API stands at the forefront of this transformation, offering innovative solutions that enhance the trading experience. For more information on how to get started, visit the Metals-API Documentation and explore the endless possibilities that this API has to offer.