Explore how to access Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (FGDL) prices via this API

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial technology, accessing real-time data for precious metals has become crucial for investors and developers alike. One such valuable asset is the Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (FGDL), which represents a significant opportunity in the gold market. To effectively track and analyze FGDL prices, developers can leverage the Metals-API, a powerful tool designed to provide comprehensive data on various metals, including gold (XAU). This blog post will delve into how to access FGDL prices via the Metals-API, explore the intricacies of gold as a commodity, and discuss the innovative features of the API that empower developers to create next-generation applications.

Understanding Gold (XAU)

Gold has long been regarded as a safe haven asset, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Its intrinsic value, coupled with its historical significance, makes it a focal point for investors. In recent years, the digital transformation in precious metals has revolutionized how investors access and analyze gold data. The integration of data analytics and technology in trading has enabled market participants to gain deeper insights into price movements and market trends.

Digital Transformation in Precious Metals

The digital transformation of the precious metals market has led to the emergence of various platforms and tools that facilitate real-time data access. The Metals-API stands out as a leading solution, providing developers with the ability to access real-time and historical data on gold prices. This transformation has not only improved transparency but has also enhanced the efficiency of trading operations.

Data Analytics and Market Insights

With the Metals-API, developers can harness the power of data analytics to derive actionable insights from gold price movements. By utilizing the API's various endpoints, users can analyze historical trends, track fluctuations, and make informed decisions based on real-time data. This capability is essential for those looking to optimize their trading strategies and manage risk effectively.

Technology Integration in Trading

The integration of technology in trading has paved the way for innovative solutions that streamline the trading process. The Metals-API offers a suite of endpoints that allow developers to access critical data points, such as the latest rates, historical prices, and bid/ask spreads. This integration enables seamless trading experiences and empowers developers to build applications that cater to the needs of modern investors.

Innovation in Price Discovery

Price discovery is a fundamental aspect of trading, and the Metals-API plays a crucial role in this process. By providing real-time data on gold prices, the API enhances the accuracy of price discovery, allowing traders to make timely decisions. The ability to access the latest rates and historical data empowers users to identify trends and capitalize on market opportunities.

Digital Asset Solutions

As the financial landscape continues to evolve, the demand for digital asset solutions has grown. The Metals-API serves as a bridge between traditional precious metals trading and the digital economy. By offering a comprehensive set of endpoints, the API enables developers to create applications that facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of gold and other metals in a digital format.

Metals-API Overview

The Metals-API is a robust platform that provides developers with access to real-time and historical data for various metals, including gold (XAU), silver (XAG), platinum (XPT), and palladium (XPD). The API is designed to empower developers to build applications that require accurate and timely metals data. With a focus on innovation and technological advancement, the Metals-API offers a range of features that enhance the user experience.

Key Features of Metals-API

The Metals-API boasts a variety of endpoints that cater to different data needs. Here’s a closer look at some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for metals, updated based on the user's subscription plan. This endpoint is essential for developers looking to integrate live pricing into their applications. For example, a developer can retrieve the latest gold price in USD, enabling users to make informed trading decisions.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1760752832,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-18",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000482,
        "XAG": 0.03815,
        "XPT": 0.000912,
        "XPD": 0.000744
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for metals dating back to 2019. This feature is particularly useful for analyzing price trends over time. Developers can query the API for specific dates to retrieve historical data, which can be used for backtesting trading strategies.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1760666432,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-17",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid And Ask Endpoint

The Bid and Ask Endpoint provides real-time bid and ask prices for metals, allowing developers to retrieve current market prices. This feature is crucial for traders who need to know the best prices at which to buy or sell metals. The bid/ask spread can also be analyzed to gauge market liquidity.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1760752832,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-18",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": {
            "bid": 0.000481,
            "ask": 0.000483,
            "spread": 2.0e-6
        },
        "XAG": {
            "bid": 0.0381,
            "ask": 0.0382,
            "spread": 0.0001
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert Endpoint allows users to convert amounts between different metals or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for applications that require currency conversion for pricing. Developers can easily implement this functionality to enhance user experience.

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1760752832,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint enables users to query the API for daily historical rates between two specified dates. This capability is essential for analyzing trends and making predictions based on historical data. Developers can leverage this endpoint to create visualizations that showcase price movements over time.

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-10-11",
    "end_date": "2025-10-18",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-10-11": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825
        },
        "2025-10-18": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint provides information about how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This feature is valuable for traders who want to understand market volatility and make informed decisions based on price changes.

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-10-11",
    "end_date": "2025-10-18",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": {
            "start_rate": 0.000485,
            "end_rate": 0.000482,
            "change": -3.0e-6,
            "change_pct": -0.62
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint

The OHLC Price Endpoint allows users to retrieve open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is crucial for technical analysis and helps traders identify trends and potential reversal points.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1760752832,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-18",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": {
            "open": 0.000485,
            "high": 0.000487,
            "low": 0.000481,
            "close": 0.000482
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical LME Endpoint

The Historical LME Endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008. This endpoint is particularly useful for developers working with industrial metals and looking to analyze long-term trends.

API Key and Authentication

To access the Metals-API, developers must obtain an API key, which is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This key is essential for authentication and ensures that only authorized users can access the data. Developers should keep their API keys secure and avoid exposing them in public repositories.

API Response Structure

The API responses are structured in JSON format, making them easy to parse and integrate into applications. Each response includes a success flag, a timestamp, and the requested data. Understanding the structure of the API responses is crucial for developers to effectively handle the data and implement it in their applications.

Common Use Cases for Metals-API

There are numerous applications for the Metals-API in the financial technology space. Here are a few common use cases:

• Trading Platforms: Developers can integrate the Metals-API into trading platforms to provide users with real-time pricing and historical data for metals.
• Market Analysis Tools: Analysts can use the API to build tools that analyze market trends and provide insights based on historical data.
• Investment Applications: Investment apps can leverage the API to offer users the ability to track their investments in precious metals and receive alerts based on price movements.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a powerful tool that provides developers with access to real-time and historical data for precious metals, including gold (XAU). By leveraging the API's various endpoints, developers can create innovative applications that enhance trading experiences and provide valuable market insights. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, the integration of technology in precious metals trading will play a crucial role in shaping the future of investment strategies.

For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a comprehensive list of available metals. The potential for innovation in the precious metals market is vast, and the Metals-API is at the forefront of this transformation.