> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bullring.finance/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Authentication

To access Bullring Finance APIs, you must authenticate every request using an API key. This key ensures your application is verified and authorized to interact with the platform.

***

## Get Your API Key

1. Reach out to the [Bullring Team](mailto:developer@bullring.finance) to be onboarded
2. Log in to the Bullring Dashboard
3. Navigate to **Developers → API Keys**
4. Click **Generate Key** for either **staging** or **production**
5. Copy and store your key securely — it won’t be shown again

Each environment has its own unique key. Use the **staging key** for testing and the **production key** for live transactions.

***

## Authentication Header

All requests to both environments **must** include your API key in the following header:

```http theme={null}
x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY
```

If your request does not include a valid key, it will be rejected with a `401 Unauthorized` response.

***

## Best Practices

* 🔒 Never expose your API key in frontend code
* 🔁 Rotate your API keys periodically for added security
* 👀 Monitor usage in the Bullring Dashboard

***

Need help? Reach out to [developer@bullring.finance](mailto:developer@bullring.finance)