diff --git a/catalyst/exchange/__init__.py b/catalyst/exchange/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/catalyst/exchange/assets.py b/catalyst/exchange/assets.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a2007a45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/catalyst/exchange/assets.py
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+import pandas as pd
+import pytz
+
+assets = list(
+    dict(
+        symbol='eth-usd',
+        exchange='bitfinex',
+        first_traded=pd.datetime(2010, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, pytz.utc)
+    )
+)
diff --git a/catalyst/exchange/bitfinex.py b/catalyst/exchange/bitfinex.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9d4c2294
--- /dev/null
+++ b/catalyst/exchange/bitfinex.py
@@ -0,0 +1,266 @@
+import six
+import base64
+import hashlib
+import hmac
+import json
+import time
+import requests
+import pandas as pd
+# from websocket import create_connection
+from catalyst.exchange.exchange import Exchange, RTVolumeBar, Position
+from logbook import Logger
+from catalyst.finance.order import Order, ORDER_STATUS
+from catalyst.finance.execution import (MarketOrder,
+                                        LimitOrder,
+                                        StopOrder,
+                                        StopLimitOrder)
+
+BITFINEX_URL = 'https://api.bitfinex.com'
+BITFINEX_KEY = 'hjZ7DZzwbBZsIZPWeSSQtrWCPNwyhxw96r3LnY7jtOH'
+BITFINEX_SECRET = b'LilCoxcqUnHKBcGtrttwCIv4qONTdjuFMSdz8Rxh6OM'
+ASSETS = '{ "btcusd": {"symbol":"btc_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ltcusd": {"symbol":"ltc-usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ltcbtc": {"symbol":"ltc_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ethusd": {"symbol":"eth_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ethbtc": {"symbol":"eth_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "etcbtc": {"symbol":"etc_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "etcusd": {"symbol":"etc_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "rrtusd": {"symbol":"rrt_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "rrtbtc": {"symbol":"rrt_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "zecusd": {"symbol":"zec_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "zecbtc": {"symbol":"zec_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "xmrusd": {"symbol":"xmr_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "xmrbtc": {"symbol":"xmr_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "dshusd": {"symbol":"dsh_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "dshbtc": {"symbol":"dsh_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "bccbtc": {"symbol":"bcc_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "bcubtc": {"symbol":"bcu_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "bccusd": {"symbol":"bcc_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "bcuusd": {"symbol":"bcu_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "xrpusd": {"symbol":"xrp_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "xrpbtc": {"symbol":"xrp_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "iotusd": {"symbol":"iot_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "iotbtc": {"symbol":"iot_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ioteth": {"symbol":"iot_eth", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "eosusd": {"symbol":"eos_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "eosbtc": {"symbol":"eos_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "eoseth": {"symbol":"eos_eth", "start_date": "2010-01-01"} }'
+
+log = Logger('Bitfinex')
+warning_logger = Logger('AlgoWarning')
+
+
+class Bitfinex(Exchange):
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.url = BITFINEX_URL
+        self.key = BITFINEX_KEY
+        self.secret = BITFINEX_SECRET
+        self.id = 'b'
+        self.name = 'bitfinex'
+        self.orders = {}
+        self.assets = {}
+        self.load_assets(ASSETS)
+
+    def request(self, operation, data, version='v1'):
+        payload_object = {
+            'request': '/{}/{}'.format(version, operation),
+            'nonce': '{0:f}'.format(time.time() * 100000),  # convert to string
+            'options': {}
+        }
+
+        if data is None:
+            payload_dict = payload_object
+        else:
+            payload_dict = payload_object.copy()
+            payload_dict.update(data)
+
+        payload_json = json.dumps(payload_dict)
+        if six.PY3:
+            payload = base64.b64encode(bytes(payload_json, 'utf-8'))
+        else:
+            payload = base64.b64encode(payload_json)
+
+        m = hmac.new(self.secret, payload, hashlib.sha384)
+        m = m.hexdigest()
+
+        # headers
+        headers = {
+            'X-BFX-APIKEY': self.key,
+            'X-BFX-PAYLOAD': payload,
+            'X-BFX-SIGNATURE': m
+        }
+
+        if data is None:
+            request = requests.get(
+                self.url + '/{version}/{operation}'.format(
+                    version=version,
+                    operation=operation
+                ), data={},
+                headers=headers)
+        else:
+            request = requests.post(
+                self.url + '/{version}/{operation}'.format(
+                    version=version,
+                    operation=operation
+                ),
+                headers=headers)
+
+        return request
+
+    def subscribe_to_market_data(self, symbol):
+        pass
+
+    def positions(self):
+        pass
+
+    def portfolio(self):
+        pass
+
+    def account(self):
+        pass
+
+    @property
+    def time_skew(self):
+        # TODO: research the time skew conditions
+        return None
+
+    def get_open_orders(self, asset):
+        # TODO: map to asset
+        response = self.request('orders', None)
+        orders = response.json()
+        # TODO: what is the right format?
+        return orders
+
+    def get_order(self, order_id):
+        pass
+
+    def get_spot_value(self, assets, field, dt, data_frequency):
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
+    def balance(self, currencies):
+        response = self.request('balances', None)
+        positions = response.json()
+        if 'message' in positions:
+            raise ValueError(
+                'unable to fetch balance %s' % positions['message']
+            )
+
+        balance = dict()
+        for position in positions:
+            if position['currency'] in currencies:
+                balance[position['currency']] = float(position['available'])
+        return balance
+
+    # TODO: why repeating prices if already in style?
+    def order(self, asset, amount, limit_price, stop_price, style):
+        """
+        The type of the order: LIMIT, MARKET, STOP, TRAILING STOP,
+         EXCHANGE MARKET, EXCHANGE LIMIT, EXCHANGE STOP,
+          EXCHANGE TRAILING STOP, FOK, EXCHANGE FOK.
+        """
+
+        is_buy = (amount > 0)
+
+        if isinstance(style, MarketOrder):
+            order_type = 'market'
+        elif isinstance(style, LimitOrder):
+            order_type = 'limit'
+            price = limit_price
+        elif isinstance(style, StopOrder):
+            order_type = 'stop'
+            price = stop_price
+        elif isinstance(style, StopLimitOrder):
+            raise NotImplementedError('Stop/limit orders not available')
+
+        exchange_symbol = self.get_symbol(asset)
+        req = dict(
+            symbol=exchange_symbol,
+            amount=str(float(amount)),
+            price=str(float(price)),
+            side='buy' if is_buy else 'sell',
+            type='exchange ' + order_type,  # TODO: support margin trades
+            exchange='bitfinex',
+            is_hidden=False,
+            is_postonly=False,
+            use_all_available=0,
+            ocoorder=False,
+            buy_price_oco=0,
+            sell_price_oco=0
+        )
+
+        response = self.request('order/new', req)
+        exchange_order = response.json()
+        if 'message' in exchange_order:
+            raise ValueError(
+                'unable to create Bitfinex order %s' % exchange_order[
+                    'message']
+            )
+
+        order = Order(
+            dt=pd.Timestamp.utcnow(),
+            asset=asset,
+            amount=amount,
+            stop=style.get_stop_price(is_buy),
+            limit=style.get_limit_price(is_buy),
+        )
+
+        order_id = order.broker_order_id = exchange_order['id']
+        self.orders[order_id] = order
+
+        return order_id
+
+    def cancel_order(self, order_id):
+        response = self.request('order/cancel', {'order_id': order_id})
+        status = response.json()
+        return status
+
+    def order_status(self, order_id):
+        response = self.request('order/status', {'order_id': int(order_id)})
+        order_status = response.json()
+        if 'message' in order_status:
+            raise ValueError(
+                'Unable to retrieve order status: %s' % order_status['message']
+            )
+
+        result = dict(exchange='b')
+
+        if order_status['is_cancelled']:
+            warning_logger.warn(
+                'removing cancelled order from the open orders list %s',
+                order_status)
+            result['status'] = 'canceled'
+
+        elif not order_status['is_live']:
+            log.info('found executed order %s', order_status)
+            result['status'] = 'closed'
+            result['executed_price'] = float(
+                order_status['avg_execution_price'])
+            result['executed_amount'] = float(order_status['executed_amount'])
+
+        else:
+            result['status'] = 'open'
+
+        return result
+
+    def get_v2_symbols(self, assets):
+        """
+        Workaround to support Bitfinex v2
+        TODO: Might require a separate asset dictionary
+
+        :param assets:
+        :return:
+        """
+
+        v2_symbols = []
+        for asset in assets:
+            pair = asset.symbol.split('_')
+            symbol = 't' + pair[0].upper() + pair[1].upper()
+            v2_symbols.append(symbol)
+        return v2_symbols
+
+    def tickers(self, date, assets):
+        symbols = self.get_v2_symbols(assets)
+        log.debug('fetching tickers {}'.format(symbols))
+
+        request = requests.get(
+            self.url + '/v2/tickers?symbols={}'.format(','.join(symbols))
+        )
+        tickers = request.json()
+        if 'message' in tickers:
+            raise ValueError(
+                'Unable to retrieve tickers: %s' % tickers['message']
+            )
+
+        formatted_tickers = []
+        for index, ticker in enumerate(tickers):
+            if not len(ticker) == 11:
+                raise ValueError('Invalid ticker: %s' % ticker)
+
+            tick = dict(
+                asset=assets[index],
+                timestamp=date,
+                bid=ticker[1],
+                ask=ticker[3],
+                last_price=ticker[7],
+                low=ticker[10],
+                high=ticker[9],
+                volume=ticker[8],
+            )
+            formatted_tickers.append(tick)
+
+        log.debug('got tickers {}'.format(formatted_tickers))
+        return formatted_tickers
diff --git a/catalyst/exchange/exchange.py b/catalyst/exchange/exchange.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9838dc7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/catalyst/exchange/exchange.py
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+import abc
+from collections import namedtuple
+from abc import ABCMeta, abstractmethod, abstractproperty
+import json
+import pandas as pd
+from catalyst.assets._assets import Asset
+
+RTVolumeBar = namedtuple('RTVolumeBar', ['last_trade_price',
+                                         'last_trade_size',
+                                         'last_trade_time',
+                                         'total_volume',
+                                         'vwap',
+                                         'single_trade_flag'])
+
+Position = namedtuple('Position', ['contract', 'position', 'market_price',
+                                   'market_value', 'average_cost',
+                                   'unrealized_pnl', 'realized_pnl',
+                                   'account_name'])
+
+
+class Exchange:
+    __metaclass__ = ABCMeta
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.name = None
+        self.trading_pairs = None
+        self.assets = {}
+
+    def get_trading_pairs(self, pairs):
+        return [pair for pair in pairs if pair in self.trading_pairs]
+
+    def get_symbol(self, asset):
+        symbol = None
+
+        for key in self.assets:
+            if not symbol and self.assets[key].symbol == asset.symbol:
+                symbol = key
+
+        if not symbol:
+            raise ValueError('Currency %s not supported by exchange %s' %
+                             (asset['symbol'], self.name))
+
+        return symbol
+
+    def get_symbols(self, assets):
+        symbols = []
+        for asset in assets:
+            symbols.append(self.get_symbol(asset))
+        return symbols
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def asset_parser(asset):
+        for key in asset:
+            if key == 'start_date':
+                asset[key] = pd.to_datetime(asset[key], utc=True)
+        return asset
+
+    def load_assets(self, assets_json):
+        assets = json.loads(
+            assets_json,
+            object_hook=Exchange.asset_parser
+        )
+
+        for exchange_symbol in assets:
+            asset_obj = Asset(
+                sid=0,
+                exchange=self.name,
+                **assets[exchange_symbol]
+            )
+            self.assets[exchange_symbol] = asset_obj
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def subscribe_to_market_data(self, symbol):
+        pass
+
+    @abstractproperty
+    def positions(self):
+        pass
+
+    @abstractproperty
+    def portfolio(self):
+        pass
+
+    @abstractproperty
+    def account(self):
+        pass
+
+    @abstractproperty
+    def time_skew(self):
+        pass
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def order(self, asset, amount, limit_price, stop_price, style):
+        pass
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def get_open_orders(self, asset):
+        pass
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def get_order(self, order_id):
+        pass
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def cancel_order(self, order_param):
+        pass
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def get_spot_value(self, assets, field, dt, data_frequency):
+        pass
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def tickers(self, date, pairs):
+        return
+
+        # @abc.abstractmethod
+        # def new_order(self, symbol, side, order_type, price, amount, leverage):
+        #     return
+        #
+        # @abc.abstractmethod
+        # def cancel_order(self, order_id):
+        #     return
+        #
+        # @abc.abstractmethod
+        # def order_status(self, order_id):
+        #     return
+        #
+        # @abc.abstractmethod
+        # def balance(self, currencies):
+        #     return
+        #
diff --git a/catalyst/exchange/symbols/bitfinex.json b/catalyst/exchange/symbols/bitfinex.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2419516c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/catalyst/exchange/symbols/bitfinex.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{ "btcusd": {"symbol":"btc_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ltcusd": {"symbol":"ltc-usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ltcbtc": {"symbol":"ltc_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ethusd": {"symbol":"eth_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ethbtc": {"symbol":"eth_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "etcbtc": {"symbol":"etc_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "etcusd": {"symbol":"etc_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "rrtusd": {"symbol":"rrt_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "rrtbtc": {"symbol":"rrt_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "zecusd": {"symbol":"zec_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "zecbtc": {"symbol":"zec_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "xmrusd": {"symbol":"xmr_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "xmrbtc": {"symbol":"xmr_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "dshusd": {"symbol":"dsh_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "dshbtc": {"symbol":"dsh_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "bccbtc": {"symbol":"bcc_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "bcubtc": {"symbol":"bcu_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "bccusd": {"symbol":"bcc_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "bcuusd": {"symbol":"bcu_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "xrpusd": {"symbol":"xrp_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "xrpbtc": {"symbol":"xrp_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "iotusd": {"symbol":"iot_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "iotbtc": {"symbol":"iot_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "ioteth": {"symbol":"iot_eth", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "eosusd": {"symbol":"eos_usd", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "eosbtc": {"symbol":"eos_btc", "start_date": "2010-01-01"}, "eoseth": {"symbol":"eos_eth", "start_date": "2010-01-01"} }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/exchange/__init__.py b/tests/exchange/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/tests/exchange/base.py b/tests/exchange/base.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..777b1b80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/exchange/base.py
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+import unittest
+import abc
+from abc import ABCMeta
+
+
+class BaseExchangeTestCase():
+    __metaclass__ = ABCMeta
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def test_order(self):
+        pass
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def test_cancel_order(self):
+        pass
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def test_order_status(self):
+        pass
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def test_balance(self):
+        pass
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def test_ticker(self):
+        pass
diff --git a/tests/exchange/test_bitfinex.py b/tests/exchange/test_bitfinex.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..45d665dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/exchange/test_bitfinex.py
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+from catalyst.exchange.bitfinex import Bitfinex
+from .base import BaseExchangeTestCase
+from logbook import Logger
+import pandas as pd
+from catalyst.finance.execution import (MarketOrder,
+                                        LimitOrder,
+                                        StopOrder,
+                                        StopLimitOrder)
+from catalyst.assets._assets import Asset
+
+log = Logger('BitfinexTestCase')
+
+
+class BitfinexTestCase(BaseExchangeTestCase):
+    def test_ticker(self):
+        log.info('fetching ticker from bitfinex')
+        bitfinex = Bitfinex()
+        current_date = pd.Timestamp.utcnow()
+        assets = [
+            Asset(sid=0, exchange=bitfinex.name, symbol='eth_usd'),
+            Asset(sid=1, exchange=bitfinex.name, symbol='etc_usd'),
+            Asset(sid=2, exchange=bitfinex.name, symbol='eos_usd')
+        ]
+        tickers = bitfinex.tickers(date=current_date, assets=assets)
+        log.info('got tickers {}'.format(tickers))
+
+    def test_order(self):
+        log.info('ordering from bitfinex')
+        bitfinex = Bitfinex()
+        asset = Asset(sid=0, exchange=bitfinex.name, symbol='eth_usd')
+        order_id = bitfinex.order(
+            asset=asset,
+            style=LimitOrder(limit_price=200),
+            limit_price=200,
+            amount=1,
+            stop_price=None
+        )
+        log.info('order created {}'.format(order_id))
+
+    def test_cancel_order(self):
+        log.info('canceling order from bitfinex')
+        bitfinex = Bitfinex()
+        response = bitfinex.cancel_order(order_id=2776936269)
+        log.info('canceled order: {}'.format(response))
+
+    def test_order_status(self):
+        log.info('querying orders from bitfinex')
+        bitfinex = Bitfinex()
+        response = bitfinex.order_status(order_id=2776972180)
+        log.info('the orders: {}'.format(response))
+
+    def test_balance(self):
+        log.info('querying positions from bitfinex')
+        bitfinex = Bitfinex()
+        balance = bitfinex.balance(currencies=['usd', 'etc', 'pez'])
+        log.info('the balance: {}'.format(balance))