BlockCypher
Blockchain web services API supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dogecoin with webhooks and transaction broadcasting.
🔴 Offline · 389 ms
56.19%
3 calls/sec, 200 calls/hr, no key (key extends limits)
No key required
Free alternatives (live ranking)
- Kraken Public API — 🟢 Online · Unlimited public data, no key required
- Coinbase Advanced Trade API (Public) — 🟢 Online · 10 calls/sec, no key for public endpoints
- Blockchain.com Data API — 🟢 Online · Unlimited, no key, no credit card
Compare BlockCypher with…
- BlockCypher vs Kraken Public API — Unlimited public data, no key required
- BlockCypher vs Coinbase Advanced Trade API (Public) — 10 calls/sec, no key for public endpoints
- BlockCypher vs Blockchain.com Data API — Unlimited, no key, no credit card
Paid alternatives
- BlockCypher Pro — from $39/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BlockCypher require an API key?
No, BlockCypher is freely accessible without registration or an API key.
What is BlockCypher's free tier?
3 calls/sec, 200 calls/hr, no key (key extends limits)
Is BlockCypher currently online?
We check BlockCypher every hour. The current status is shown at the top of this page. You can also see the 30-day uptime history in the chart above.
Implementation notes
When to use BlockCypher
BlockCypher supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dogecoin with a unified REST API, webhook notifications, and transaction broadcasting. Its no-key free tier gives 200 calls/hour and 3 calls/second — enough for a wallet balance checker or block explorer feature without creating an account.
Common pitfalls
- The no-key tier is 200 calls/hour with a 3 calls/second burst limit. Registering a free API token raises the limit to 2,000 calls/hour. For any app beyond a simple demo, the free token is worth the 30-second registration.
- BlockCypher uses its own address balance and transaction formats that include custom fields like `total_received`, `total_sent`, and `unconfirmed_balance` alongside standard blockchain fields. The `unconfirmed_balance` may be non-zero even for confirmed transactions if they involve chained unconfirmed inputs.
- Webhook registrations (for real-time transaction notifications) expire after 72 hours on the free tier. Webhooks must be re-registered periodically. Paid plans allow persistent webhooks.
- The Ethereum endpoint (`/v1/eth/main`) uses BlockCypher's own address format and may lag behind on contract interactions. For complex ERC-20 or DeFi transaction lookups, Etherscan is more reliable.
Quick start (bash)
curl "https://api.blockcypher.com/v1/btc/main" | python3 -m json.toolEmbed this badge
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Markdown
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