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

# Quickstart

> Authenticate and fetch an exchange rate in a few minutes.

## 1. Get your API key

Sign in to the [partner portal](https://merchant.xwift.africa) and copy your **consumer key** from API keys. You will send it as the `x-api-key` header on every partner request.

## 2. Fetch an exchange rate

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST "{{base_url}}/v1/exchange-rate" \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_CONSUMER_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"currency_code":"KES"}'
```

Example response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "code": 200,
  "message": "Exchange rates",
  "data": {
    "buying_rate": 129.5,
    "selling_rate": 131.2
  }
}
```

* **Buying rate** — used when you buy fiat with crypto (offramp pricing context).
* **Selling rate** — used when you sell fiat for crypto (onramp pricing context).

For ramp availability flags, use [`POST /v2/exchange-rate`](/api-reference/rates/exchange-rate-v2).

## 3. Typical offramp flow

1. Validate the destination with [`POST /v1/validation/{currency}`](/api-reference/payments/validation).
2. Receive a stablecoin payment on a supported chain.
3. Call [`POST /v1/pay/{currency}`](/api-reference/payments/pay) with the `transaction_hash` and payout details.
4. Poll [`POST /v1/status/{currency}`](/api-reference/payments/status) or wait for a [webhook](/webhooks).

See the [offramp guide](/guides/offramp) for currency-specific fields and limits.

## 4. Explore further

| Goal                                   | Start here                                                         |
| -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Collect fiat → send crypto             | [Onramp guide](/guides/onramp)                                     |
| Hosted settlement UI                   | [Checkout guide](/guides/checkout)                                 |
| AI agents in Cursor / Claude / ChatGPT | [MCP guide](/guides/agents)                                        |
| Direct mobile money / bank rails       | [Collection & disbursements](/guides/collection-and-disbursements) |