KuCoin UTA-API Upgrade: WebSocket Changes
KuCoin will upgrade UTA-API on Aug 27, 2026, with possible WebSocket disconnections and changes to welcome responses.
Source-checked briefing: prepared from the official notice cited below and checked for source, date, duplication, and risk language. No individual editor review is claimed. Methodology
KuCoin announced a zero-downtime upgrade to its UTA-API on August 27, 2026, from 06:00 UTC, expected to last 120 minutes. During this period, UTA WebSocket connections may experience temporary disconnections, data loss, or delays. After the upgrade, the welcome response for public WebSocket connections will change from "message":"welcome" to "data":"welcome", and a new pingTimeout field will be added. Additionally, extra spaces in JSON push data will be removed. No user action is required unless they experience connection issues, in which case they may reconnect.
- 01
Upgrade scheduled for August 27, 2026, at 06:00 UTC, lasting 120 minutes.
- 02
Upgrade is zero-downtime, but UTA WebSocket may see temporary disconnections, data loss, or delays.
- 03
Public WebSocket welcome response changes from "message":"welcome" to "data":"welcome".
Key timeline
Announcement published.
Upgrade starts, expected to last 120 minutes.
Who may be affected
- Users of KuCoin UTA-API public WebSocket connections (FUTURES and SPOT).
- Users of KuCoin UTA-API private WebSocket connections.
Impact analysis
The upgrade is zero-downtime, meaning trading services should remain available. However, WebSocket connections may experience temporary disconnections, data loss, or delays during the 120-minute window. Users relying on real-time data via WebSocket should be prepared to reconnect if needed. After the upgrade, applications parsing the welcome response must expect the new format ("data":"welcome") and may need to handle the new pingTimeout field. The removal of extra spaces in JSON push data could affect parsers that are sensitive to whitespace, though standard JSON parsers should handle it. No changes to REST API are mentioned.
What the announcement does not say
The announcement does not specify whether the upgrade affects REST API endpoints, nor does it provide details on the exact impact duration for individual connections. It also does not mention any changes to authentication or other API features.
Risk notes
- Temporary WebSocket disconnections may cause missed data; users should implement reconnection logic.
- The welcome response format change could break clients that expect the old "message" field.
- The new pingTimeout field requires clients to adjust their ping/pong handling to avoid disconnections.
- Removal of extra spaces in JSON could affect custom parsers that rely on specific formatting.
- This article is for verification of official exchange announcements only and does not constitute investment or trading advice.
This article is for information only and is not investment, legal, or tax advice. Digital assets are volatile and may result in loss of principal.
Frequently asked questions
Will trading be interrupted during the upgrade?
The announcement states the upgrade is zero-downtime, so trading should not be interrupted. However, WebSocket connections may experience temporary issues.
What should I do if my WebSocket disconnects?
The announcement advises users to reconnect to the WebSocket to restore the connection.
Are there any changes to the REST API?
The announcement only mentions changes to WebSocket connections; no REST API changes are specified.
Official sources
Collected material is used only for fact checking. If this page differs from the original announcement, the official page controls.