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

> ## Agent Instructions
> Bitnob API requests authenticate with an `X-Auth-Client` API key header against https://api.bitnob.com.
> Always use the sandbox environment for testing. Never put live API keys in sample code.
> Money amounts are integers in the smallest unit of the currency (satoshis for BTC, cents for fiat). Never use floats.
> Every state-changing request takes a client-supplied `reference` and must be treated as idempotent on retry.
> Quotes expire. Re-quote rather than reusing a stale quote id.

# Bitnob Business API vs Bitnob Enterprise API

> Bitnob offers two APIs with different custody models, authentication, and base URLs. Compare them and pick the right starting point.

Bitnob has two separate APIs. They don't share credentials, base URLs, or authentication, so start by picking the one that fits what you're building.

| | Bitnob Business API | Bitnob Enterprise API |
| - | - | - |
| Custody | Bitnob holds the balance and settles for you. | Non-custodial. Keys stay in a hardware enclave, and transactions are signed only when your policies allow them. |
| What you build | Payouts, card issuing, trading, virtual accounts, stablecoin and bitcoin payments. | Wallets, addresses, and policy-governed signing across chains. |
| Base URL | `https://api.bitnob.com` | `https://api.platform.bitnob.com` |
| Authentication | HMAC-signed requests with a `CLIENT_ID` and `CLIENT_SECRET`. | An `X-API-Key` header. |
| Sandbox or live | Chosen by the secret you sign with. | Chosen by the key. Live keys use mainnet, sandbox keys use testnets. |
| Start here | [Business quickstart](https://www.bitnob.dev/docs/getting-started/quickstart.md) | [Enterprise quickstart](https://www.bitnob.dev/docs/platform/quickstart.md) |
| API reference | [Business API](https://www.bitnob.dev/api-reference/authentication/authentication.md) | [Bitnob Enterprise API](https://www.bitnob.dev/api-reference/platform/meta/get-api-key-info.md) |

Some companies use both: Bitnob Enterprise to hold and govern assets, and the Bitnob Business API to pay out in local currency.

## Bitcoin works with both

Bitcoin is the one product that spans the two APIs, depending on who holds the keys.

| You want | Use | Start with |
| - | - | - |
| A bitcoin wallet Bitnob runs for you: balances, on-chain and Lightning send and receive | Bitnob Business API | [Bitcoin overview](https://www.bitnob.dev/docs/bitcoin/overview.md) |
| To hold the keys yourself, or let your users hold them | Bitnob Enterprise API | [Custody models](https://www.bitnob.dev/docs/bitcoin/custody-models.md) |

## Not sure yet?

Start with the Bitnob Business API. Every account comes with a custodial wallet and sandbox credentials, so you can make a working call in minutes and move to the Bitnob Enterprise API later if you need to hold keys yourself.


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