Introduction to Crypto Spot Trading on Alpaca
Alpaca currently supports cryptocurrency trading in select international jurisdictions and certain U.S. regions. The platform offers access to:
- 20+ unique crypto assets
- 56 trading pairs
- Four base currencies (BTC, USD, USDT, USDC)
👉 Discover how to start trading crypto today
Available Crypto Assets and Trading Pairs
To check all supported assets and pairs, use this API call:
curl --request GET 'https://api.alpaca.markets/v2/assets?asset_class=crypto' \
--header 'Apca-Api-Key-Id: YOUR_KEY' \
--header 'Apca-Api-Secret-Key: YOUR_SECRET'Understanding Trading Pair Objects
Each trading pair includes these key details:
| Field | Description | Example Value |
|---|---|---|
| symbol | Trading pair identifier | BTC/USD |
| min_order_size | Smallest allowed order | 0.0001 |
| price_increment | Minimum price movement | 1 |
| fractionable | Whether fractional orders allowed | true |
Order Types and Execution
Alpaca supports three order types:
- Market orders
- Limit orders
- Stop limit orders
Submitting Orders via API
curl --request POST 'https://paper-api.alpaca.markets/v2/orders' \
--header 'Apca-Api-Key-Id: YOUR_KEY' \
--header 'Apca-Api-Secret-Key: YOUR_SECRET' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{
"symbol": "BTC/USD",
"qty": "0.0001",
"side": "buy",
"type": "market",
"time_in_force": "gtc"
}'Market Data Access
Historical Data Request
curl 'https://data.alpaca.markets/v1beta3/crypto/us/latest/orderbooks?symbols=BTC/USD,ETH/BTC,ETH/USD'Real-Time Data via WebSocket
wscat -c wss://stream.data.alpaca.markets/v1beta3/crypto/usCrypto Wallets and Transfers
Alpaca offers native wallet functionality for:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- ERC-20 tokens
👉 Learn about wallet security features
Fee Structure
Alpaca employs volume-tiered pricing:
| Tier | Volume Range | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0-100K | 0.15% | 0.25% |
| 2 | $100K-500K | 0.12% | 0.22% |
| ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 8 | $100M+ | 0% | 0.10% |
Checking Fees
Query the Activities API for CFEE or FEE types:
{
"activity_type": "CFEE",
"symbol": "ETHUSD",
"qty": "-0.000195",
"price": "1884.5"
}Trading Rules and Limitations
Key restrictions:
- No margin trading
- No short selling
- $200k maximum order notional
- 24/7 trading availability
FAQ Section
What cryptocurrencies does Alpaca support?
Alpaca currently supports 20+ major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins across 56 trading pairs.
How do crypto fees work?
Fees are volume-tiered and charged on the asset you receive. Maker fees range from 0-0.15% while taker fees range 0.10-0.25%.
Can I trade crypto 24/7?
Yes, Alpaca's crypto trading operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no market closures.
Is fractional trading supported?
Yes, all cryptocurrency assets on Alpaca are fractionable, though minimum decimal precision varies by asset.
How do I check my trading fees?
Query the Activities API for "CFEE" or "FEE" types. Fees are currently posted end-of-day but will move to real-time soon.
What order types are available?
Alpaca supports market, limit, and stop limit orders with GTC or IOC time-in-force options.