If your exchange wallet stopped syncing or CoinTracker shows an invalid API key error, you can fix it by creating a new key on your exchange and updating it in CoinTracker. Both steps are covered below.
When to update your API key
You'll need to update your API key in these situations:
- Your exchange wallet stopped syncing and you're seeing an invalid credentials or expired key error.
- Your exchange revoked CoinTracker's access. Some exchanges rotate or expire keys automatically for security.
- You changed the password or 2FA on your exchange account, which can invalidate existing keys.
- You're replacing the current API key with a different one.
Old keys usually can't be reused, so you'll need to generate a new one on the exchange. Check your exchange's own help center for the exact steps to create an API key.
Create a new API key on your exchange
Each exchange has its own flow, but a few rules apply across all of them.
Turn on read-access permissions only
CoinTracker only reads your transaction history and never moves funds. Leave withdrawal and trade permissions turned off on the new key.
Save the passphrase if your exchange generates one
Some exchanges, like Coinbase Advanced and KuCoin, create a unique passphrase with each API key. Save it somewhere safe because you'll need it when entering the credentials in CoinTracker.
Activate the new key
Most exchanges require you to confirm the key by email or 2FA before it starts working.
Leave IP restrictions off
CoinTracker doesn't sync from a fixed IP, so an IP whitelist on the key will block access.
Confirm your exchange account has activity
Some exchanges, including Kraken, won't expose transaction history through the API if the account is empty. If you haven't deposited or traded, the sync will return nothing.
Once you have the new API key and secret (and passphrase, if your exchange uses one), return to CoinTracker to update the credentials.
Update your API key in CoinTracker
If you already have the exchange connected, update the existing connection instead of adding it a second time. This keeps your transaction history in one place.
- Go to the Wallets page in CoinTracker.
- Select the exchange you want to update.
- Select the [...] icon > Update API Key option.
- Paste your new API key, secret, and passphrase (if your exchange uses one).
- Save the new credentials and let the wallet resync.
If the exchange isn't connected yet, add it as a new wallet from the Add wallet page using your new credentials.
If the new API key still doesn't work
Run through this checklist before trying anything else:
- Double-check you copied the full key and secret with no extra spaces.
- Confirm the passphrase matches what you set on the exchange.
- Check that read-access permissions are turned on for the key.
- Confirm the key is active on the exchange. Some exchanges require email or 2FA confirmation.
- Make sure no IP restrictions are set on the key.
- Check that your exchange account has at least one transaction.
If every item checks out and the wallet still won't sync, reach out to our support team via Chatoshi before removing the exchange.
Important: Removing an exchange deletes any manual edits you've made to its transactions (category changes, notes, cost basis tweaks, manually added transactions). Re-adding with the new API key brings back the source transactions from the exchange, but not your edits. Only remove as a last resort after support confirms it's the right fix.
Upload a CSV as a backup
If the API connection still won't work, most exchanges let you export your transaction history as a CSV file. Upload the CSV to CoinTracker to keep your transaction history complete while you work through the API issue.
If you run into any trouble, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team via Chatoshi for help.