Modern apps thrive on real-time data. Whether you're chatting in Telegram, watching live market prices on WhiteBIT, or playing an online game — the technology behind it is often WebSockets.
In this short guide, you’ll learn what WebSockets are, why they’re essential for crypto exchanges, and how to build your own WebSocket server and client in under 5 minutes! Let’s go! 🚀
🔄 How WebSockets Work (vs HTTP)
Traditional HTTP:
Client sends request ➡️ Server responds ➡️ Connection closed.
WebSocket:
Client connects via ws:// or wss://
Connection stays open
Messages can be sent both ways, anytime
Perfect for anything that needs live updates without page refreshes.
🧠 Where You See WebSockets Daily:
✅ Crypto exchanges – Live trading data (Binance, WhiteBIT, etc.)✅ Online chats – WhatsApp Web, Slack✅ Games – Fast events and multiplayer actions✅ Trading dashboards – Real-time PnL and charts✅ Collaborative tools – Like Google Docs or Figma
In crypto especially, WebSockets are crucial — every second matters. DEX dashboards, CEX tickers, arbitrage bots — they all rely on open, low-latency WebSocket streams.
🛠 Build Your First WebSocket Project (in 5 Minutes)
Let’s create a real-time echo server and connect it to a frontend.
- Backend Setup (Node.js)
Then create a server.js:
Run it:
node server.js
- Frontend Client (in Browser Console)
💡 Why WebSockets Matter in Web3
Crypto apps are time-sensitive. Even milliseconds can affect profit or loss. That’s why:
WhiteBIT, Kraken, and Coinbase offer WebSocket APIs for pro traders
DEXes and bots use WebSocket feeds to react instantly
NFT auctions and token launches use WebSockets for live event tracking
Want to build in Web3? Mastering WebSockets is step one. 👨💻