#Wallet Authentication

Hydra uses wallet-based authentication powered by Privy. Connect your wallet, prove you hold enough HYDRA tokens, and generate API keys from the dashboard — no passwords, no custody, no bridging.

#Authentication Flow

1. Connect your wallet on hydra.fast (via Privy)
2. Your on-chain HYDRA token balance is checked automatically
3. Create an app on the Platform dashboard
4. Activate the streams your tier unlocks
5. Generate an API key scoped to your active streams
6. Use the API key in the x-api-key header on all requests

#Step 1 — Connect Your Wallet

Visit hydra.fast and click Sign In. Privy handles the wallet connection — you can use MetaMask, WalletConnect, Coinbase Wallet, or any EIP-1193 compatible wallet.

No account creation form. No email required. Your wallet address is your identity.

#Step 2 — Token Balance Check

Once connected, Hydra reads your HYDRA (ERC-20) balance on the Base network. Your balance determines your tier, which controls which streams you can subscribe to:

Your balance is cached for 1 hour and re-checked automatically. If your balance drops below a tier threshold, streams requiring that tier become unavailable on your next balance check.

#Step 3 — Create an App & Generate an API Key

Navigate to the Platform section of the dashboard. From there:

1. Create an app — give it a name and slug (e.g. my-osint-bot)
2. Activate streams — toggle on the streams you want (limited by your tier)
3. Generate an API key — choose a name, select scopes, and optionally set an expiry

The API key is shown once at creation time. Copy it immediately — it cannot be retrieved later.

hyd_a1b2c3d4e5f6...

#Step 4 — Use Your API Key

Pass the key in the x-api-key header on every request:

# REST
curl https://api.hydra.fast/v1/signals \
  -H "x-api-key: hyd_a1b2c3d4..."

# WebSocket
wss://api.hydra.fast/stream?apiKey=hyd_a1b2c3d4...

#Balance & Tier Updates

Your token balance is checked hourly. If your balance changes:

#Error Responses