Overview
What is Coinmarketcap?
Coinmarketcap is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that wraps the CoinMarketCap API. It provides a standardized interface for accessing cryptocurrency market data, exchange information, and other blockchain-related metrics. This tool is designed for developers and analysts who want to integrate live crypto data into AI assistants or automated workflows using the MCP protocol.
How to use Coinmarketcap?
Install by running npx @shinzolabs/coinmarketcap-mcp (recommended), cloning the repository manually, or using Smithery. Configure the server in your claude_desktop_config.json with a CoinMarketCap API key and a subscription level (COINMARKETCAP_API_KEY and SUBSCRIPTION_LEVEL). The subscription level you choose determines which endpoints are available.
Key features of Coinmarketcap
- Complete coverage of the CoinMarketCap API
- Fetch latest crypto trends, market movements, and global metrics
- Access OHLCV data with Standard subscription or higher
- Type-safe parameter validation using Zod
- Supports multiple subscription tiers (Basic, Hobbyist, Startup, Standard, Professional, Enterprise)
Use cases of Coinmarketcap
- Get real-time quotes and market listings for cryptocurrencies
- Retrieve historical OHLCV data for trend analysis
- Convert amounts between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies
- Access Fear & Greed Index and trending tokens
- Integrate crypto market data into AI assistants like Claude
FAQ from Coinmarketcap
What is a CoinMarketCap API key and how do I get one?
Sign up at https://pro.coinmarketcap.com/signup/?plan=0 to receive a free Basic API key. The key is used to authenticate requests and determine your rate limits.
Which subscription level do I need for a particular endpoint?
The README lists available endpoints grouped by subscription level: Basic, Hobbyist, Startup, Standard, and Enterprise. For example, cryptoOhlcvLatest requires Startup or above, while blockchainStatisticsLatest requires Enterprise. Set the SUBSCRIPTION_LEVEL environment variable to match your plan.
What runtime dependencies does Coinmarketcap require?
Node.js and a package manager (npm or pnpm) are needed. The server is distributed as an npm package and relies on Zod for validation. No additional database or external service is required beyond the CoinMarketCap API.
Does Coinmarketcap support streaming or real-time data?
The README does not mention streaming; all endpoints are request‑response. Data freshness depends on the CoinMarketCap API’s update cycle.
How can I authenticate or configure the server?
Set two environment variables in your MCP client configuration: COINMARKETCAP_API_KEY (your API key) and SUBSCRIPTION_LEVEL (e.g., "Basic"). The server uses these to authenticate and to determine which endpoints to expose.
