Integrate this API to Get Nickel - LME 3-month (NI3M) prices

In the rapidly evolving landscape of financial technology, the ability to access real-time data is paramount, especially in the metals market. One of the most significant metals traded globally is Nickel, represented by the symbol XNI. The integration of the Metals-API into applications can provide developers with the tools necessary to access and analyze Nickel prices, particularly the LME 3-month (NI3M) prices. This blog post delves into the intricacies of Nickel, its markets, and how the Metals-API can transform data access and utilization in this sector.

About Nickel (XNI)

Nickel is a versatile metal used in various applications, from stainless steel production to battery manufacturing. As industries increasingly focus on sustainability and technological advancement, the demand for Nickel is projected to rise. The digital transformation in metal markets is reshaping how stakeholders interact with market data, making real-time access to pricing information essential.

Technological innovations, such as data analytics and smart technology integration, are enabling businesses to gain insights into market trends and make informed decisions. The future of Nickel trading will likely involve advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and automated trading systems that leverage real-time data from APIs like Metals-API.

Understanding the Metals-API

The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide developers with access to real-time and historical metals data. This API empowers users to build applications that can track prices, analyze trends, and convert currencies seamlessly. With its comprehensive set of features, the Metals-API is a game-changer for anyone involved in the metals market.

Key Features of Metals-API

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs in the metals trading space. Here are some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for Nickel and other metals. Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint can return updated rates every 60 minutes or even every 10 minutes. This feature is crucial for traders who need to make quick decisions based on the latest market data.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1770250097,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-02-05",
"rates": {
"XNI": 0.142857
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

Accessing historical rates is vital for market analysis. The Historical Rates endpoint allows users to retrieve data dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API call, developers can analyze past trends and make predictions about future price movements.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1770163697,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-02-04",
"rates": {
"XNI": 0.140000
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid and Ask Endpoint

The Bid and Ask endpoint is a powerful feature that provides real-time bid and ask prices for Nickel. This information is essential for traders looking to execute buy or sell orders at the best possible prices.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1770250097,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-02-05",
"rates": {
"XNI": {
"bid": 0.141000,
"ask": 0.143000,
"spread": 0.002000
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert endpoint allows users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for traders who need to quickly assess the value of their holdings in different currencies.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XNI",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1770250097,
"rate": 0.142857
},
"result": 142.857,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series endpoint allows users to query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice. This feature is invaluable for conducting thorough market analyses and understanding price movements over time.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-29",
"end_date": "2026-02-05",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-01-29": {
"XNI": 0.140000
},
"2026-02-05": {
"XNI": 0.142857
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation endpoint provides insights into how prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This information can help traders identify patterns and make informed decisions based on historical volatility.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-29",
"end_date": "2026-02-05",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XNI": {
"start_rate": 0.140000,
"end_rate": 0.142857,
"change": 0.002857,
"change_pct": 2.04
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

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

The OHLC endpoint provides essential data for traders looking to analyze price movements over a specific time period. This data includes the opening, high, low, and closing prices, which are critical for technical analysis.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1770250097,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-02-05",
"rates": {
"XNI": {
"open": 0.140000,
"high": 0.144000,
"low": 0.139000,
"close": 0.142857
}
},
"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 traders and analysts who need to study long-term trends in Nickel prices.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1770163697,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-02-04",
"rates": {
"XNI": 0.140000
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Authentication and Security

To access the Metals-API, developers must use an API key, which is a unique identifier passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This key ensures that only authorized users can access the data, maintaining the integrity and security of the API.

Performance Optimization and Rate Limiting

Understanding the rate limits associated with your subscription plan is crucial for optimizing API performance. Developers should implement caching strategies to minimize API calls and enhance application responsiveness. Additionally, monitoring usage patterns can help identify peak times and adjust API calls accordingly.

Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting

When integrating the Metals-API, developers may encounter common issues such as incorrect API key usage, exceeding rate limits, or malformed requests. Thoroughly reviewing the API documentation and implementing robust error handling can mitigate these challenges.

Conclusion

The integration of the Metals-API into applications provides developers with a powerful tool to access real-time and historical Nickel prices. By leveraging the various endpoints, developers can create applications that not only track prices but also analyze trends and make informed trading decisions. As the metals market continues to evolve, the importance of real-time data and advanced analytics will only grow. For more information on how to get started, visit the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a comprehensive list of available metals.