Rateory exchange-rate methodology
Rateory is designed as a reference and comparison tool. It helps you estimate conversions and understand historical movement, but it does not execute currency transactions and does not publish bank, card, broker or cash-exchange quotes.
1. Current reference rates
The website requests current reference-rate data from the Frankfurter v2 API. The provider date returned with the rate is shown in the converter so you can distinguish the reference period from the moment you happen to open the page.
A reference rate is a comparison baseline. The rate offered for a real transaction can include a provider margin, fixed fees, card-network rules, intermediary charges, rounding and timing differences.
2. Historical data
Historical charts use the same reference-data service. A missing point is not silently invented. If historical data is unavailable, Rateory shows an unavailable state rather than presenting a fabricated value.
3. Legacy BGN handling
Rateory keeps Bulgarian lev support for legacy conversions. Conversions involving BGN after the euro transition use the official fixed relationship of 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN, while supported cross-rates are derived through EUR. This is labeled as legacy or derived data in the application logic rather than represented as a live market quote.
4. Why a bank or transfer app can differ
- Spread or margin: the provider can build a markup into the exchange rate.
- Fees: fixed, percentage, card or payout fees can change the final amount.
- Timing: authorization, settlement and provider update times can be different.
- Market access: some currencies can have different official, banking, remittance or cash-market conditions.
5. How to compare a real transaction
Start with the same source amount on Rateory and on the provider you are considering. Then compare the final amount the recipient would receive after every fee. This is usually more meaningful than comparing only an advertised fee or a headline exchange rate.
6. Limitations
Reference data can be delayed, unavailable or unsuitable for a specific local cash market. Rateory does not guarantee that a displayed rate can be obtained from any provider. For a real payment, transfer or exchange, confirm the executable rate and conditions with the service handling the transaction.
7. Corrections and questions
If you believe Rateory is displaying a data or methodology problem, contact the operator at [email protected]. Rateory is operated by Northbird in the Netherlands.