Use Case
Use funding-rate context as a trade filter
Funding rate is one of the strongest tells in perpetuals positioning. Smart Money API already factors it in: the /v1/confirm composite blends a derivatives sub-score (deriv_score) built from funding rate, long/short ratio and open-interest momentum. Read that sub-score to use funding context as a risk filter before entry.
Who this is for
Developers who want funding-aware market context without wiring up per-venue funding feeds themselves. Note: there is no standalone funding endpoint — funding is one input to deriv_score inside /v1/confirm. Smart Money API is decision support; your code stays in control of execution and risk.
Prerequisites
- Python 3.9+ with
pip install requests. - A strategy that already produces a candidate direction (long or short).
- A Smart Money API key (free tier covers BTC).
Get your API key
Every request authenticates with the X-API-Key header. To get a key:
- 1Create a free account, then open your dashboard.
- 2Copy the API key shown under API Access. The free tier covers BTC at 20 requests/day — enough to test this guide end to end.
- 3Need more symbols or higher limits? Compare tiers on the pricing page.
Keep the key secret — store it in an environment variable, never commit it to source control.
Setup
- 1Install the library:
pip install requests. - 2Export your key:
export SMA_API_KEY="sm_your_key_here". - 3Call
/v1/confirmfor your candidate direction and readderiv_score— the funding-aware derivatives sub-score — plus the matchingreasons. - 4Use the overall
actionandderiv_scoretogether as a filter: enter onCONFIRM, sizing bysize_mult.
Working example
This script calls GET /v1/confirm?symbol=BTC&direction=long and inspects deriv_score and the funding-related entries in reasons before deciding whether to enter.
import os
import requests
API_KEY = os.environ["SMA_API_KEY"] # never hard-code
SMA_BASE = "https://api.smartmoneyapi.com"
def confirm(symbol: str, direction: str) -> dict:
"""Funding context is folded into deriv_score inside the composite."""
r = requests.get(
f"{SMA_BASE}/v1/confirm",
params={"symbol": symbol, "direction": direction, "source": "funding-filter"},
headers={"X-API-Key": API_KEY},
timeout=10,
)
r.raise_for_status()
return r.json()
# 1. Your strategy decides a candidate direction
symbol, direction = "BTC", "long"
# 2. Read the funding-aware derivatives sub-score
sig = confirm(symbol, direction)
deriv = sig["deriv_score"] # blends funding + LSR + OI momentum
print("deriv_score", deriv, "action", sig["action"])
for reason in sig["reasons"]:
if "funding" in reason.lower() or "lsr" in reason.lower():
print("deriv context:", reason)
# 3. Use derivatives context as a filter (your code executes; the API only advises)
if sig["action"] == "CONFIRM" and deriv >= 0.5:
base_qty = 0.01
qty = base_qty * sig["size_mult"] # scale by suggested multiplier
print(f"Funding context supports {direction} -> would enter {qty} {symbol}")
elif sig["action"] == "REDUCE":
print("Mixed derivatives context -> trade smaller or wait")
else: # SKIP
print("Funding/derivatives context does not support this trade -> stand aside")
Expected response
A successful call to /v1/confirm returns JSON like this — note deriv_score and the funding/LSR entries in reasons:
{
"ts": 1710940821,
"symbol": "BTC",
"direction": "long",
"composite": 0.74,
"confidence": "HIGH",
"action": "CONFIRM",
"size_mult": 1.5,
"deriv_score": 0.81,
"onchain_score": 0.68,
"whale_score": 0.73,
"reasons": [
"Funding rate positive across all venues",
"LSR favors longs: 1.42",
"Whales: 67% long consensus",
"MVRV above 1.0 — on-chain bullish"
]
}
deriv_score is the derivatives sub-score (funding rate + LSR + OI momentum) that feeds the overall composite, which ranges from -1.0 (strong contra) to +1.0 (strong confirm). confidence is HIGH or MEDIUM, and size_mult is a 0.0–1.5 suggested size multiplier. See the full field reference in the API docs.
How to act on the response
CONFIRM
Funding and derivatives context support your direction. Proceed with your own entry and risk rules, optionally scaling size by size_mult.
REDUCE
Derivatives signals are mixed. Consider a smaller position, tighter stops, or waiting for a cleaner setup.
SKIP
Funding and derivatives context do not support this trade. Stand aside and re-check on the next candidate.
Ready to build?
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Not financial advice. Crypto trading involves risk.