API Authentication: Funding Balance Access

TL;DR

Securely access your funding balance via API using API keys and a robust authentication process. This guide covers generating an API key, making authenticated requests, handling responses, and best practices for security.

Generating Your API Key

1. Log in to your Funding account: Access the platform where you manage your funding balance.
2. Navigate to API Settings: Look for a section labelled ‘API Keys’, ‘Developer Tools’, or similar. This is usually found within your profile or security settings.
3. Create a New Key: Click on a button like ‘Generate API Key’ or ‘Add API Key’.
4. Key Details: You may be prompted to provide a name/description for the key (e.g., ‘Funding Balance App’). Some platforms allow you to restrict the key’s permissions; select only the necessary access (e.g., read-only access to balance information).
5. Copy and Store Securely: Important! The API key will be displayed only once. Copy it immediately and store it in a secure location, such as a password manager or encrypted configuration file. Do not commit it directly into your code repository.

Making Authenticated API Requests

Most APIs require you to include the API key in every request. There are several common methods:

1. Header Authentication: This is generally the preferred method for security.
   • Add an Authorization header with your API key:

     Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY

2. Query Parameter: (Less secure, but sometimes necessary).
   • Append the API key as a query parameter in the URL:

     https://api.fundingplatform.com/balance?apiKey=YOUR_API_KEY

3. Request Body: (Less common, but possible).
   • Include the API key as a field within the request body (e.g., JSON payload).

Example using curl with header authentication:

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" https://api.fundingplatform.com/balance

Handling API Responses

1. Successful Response (200 OK): The API will return your funding balance in a structured format, usually JSON.
   • Example JSON response:

     {
       "balance": 1234.56,
       "currency": "GBP"
     }

2. Authentication Errors (401 Unauthorized): This indicates an invalid or missing API key.
   • Check your API key for typos and ensure it has the correct permissions.
3. Rate Limiting (429 Too Many Requests): APIs often limit the number of requests you can make within a certain timeframe.
   • Implement retry logic with exponential backoff to handle rate limiting gracefully.
4. Other Errors: Consult the API documentation for specific error codes and their meanings.

Best Practices

1. Secure Storage: Never hardcode your API key directly into your application code. Use environment variables or a secure configuration management system.
2. Key Rotation: Regularly rotate your API keys to minimize the impact of potential compromises.
3. Least Privilege: Grant only the necessary permissions to each API key.
4. Monitor Usage: Track API key usage to detect any suspicious activity.
5. HTTPS Only: Always use HTTPS when making API requests to encrypt data in transit.
6. Input Validation: Validate all input data before sending it to the API to prevent injection attacks.

Remember to consult your Funding platform’s official API documentation for detailed instructions and specific requirements. This guide provides general best practices applicable to most APIs.