# Getting API Keys for Trading

### What Are API Keys

API keys are special access codes that allow the MoonTrader terminal to connect to your exchange account and perform trading operations on the exchange. Without them, the terminal cannot trade.

### How API Keys Work

When creating an API key, the exchange provides two components:

* **API Key (public key)** — identifies your application
* **Secret Key (secret key)** — confirms that the request is actually from you

Some exchanges also require:

* **Passphrase** — an additional password for enhanced security

### API Key Access Rights

When creating keys, configure their permissions:

* **Read** — view balances, trade history, open orders
* **Trade** — place and cancel orders
* **Transfer** — internal transfers between wallets
* **Withdraw** — do NOT enable for security

### API Key Security

Basic principles:

* Never enable withdrawal rights
* Use IP whitelist — restrict access only to your servers
* Do not share keys with third parties

### IP Whitelist

IP whitelist is a list of allowed IP addresses for using the key. It is recommended to specify:

* the public IP address of the server running the MoonTrader core
* the public IP address of the server with Watchdog monitoring system (if used)

### Prerequisites for Creating API Keys

✅ KYC verification completed on the exchange

✅ Two-factor authentication (2FA) configured

✅ Static IP of your server is known

✅ Decision on keys naming(for example, "MoonTrader")

**Important:** the Secret Key is displayed only once during creation. Save it immediately after generation.

### Select an Exchange to Create API Keys:

* [Getting API Keys for Binance](https://claude.ai/chat/ccd9a2ec-68fe-4328-bc08-6ed86d8ab769#)
* [Getting API Keys for Bybit](https://claude.ai/chat/ccd9a2ec-68fe-4328-bc08-6ed86d8ab769#)
* [Getting API Keys for OKX](https://claude.ai/chat/ccd9a2ec-68fe-4328-bc08-6ed86d8ab769#)


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