diff --git a/piker/brokers/__init__.py b/piker/brokers/__init__.py
index 8817842e..0c328d9f 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/__init__.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/__init__.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ __brokers__: list[str] = [
     'binance',
     'ib',
     'kraken',
-    'kucoin'
+    'kucoin',
 
     # broken but used to work
     # 'questrade',
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def get_brokermod(brokername: str) -> ModuleType:
     Return the imported broker module by name.
 
     '''
-    module = import_module('.' + brokername, 'piker.brokers')
+    module: ModuleType = import_module('.' + brokername, 'piker.brokers')
     # we only allow monkeying because it's for internal keying
     module.name = module.__name__.split('.')[-1]
     return module
diff --git a/piker/brokers/_util.py b/piker/brokers/_util.py
index d35c2578..3588a87a 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/_util.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/_util.py
@@ -18,10 +18,11 @@
 Handy cross-broker utils.
 
 """
+from __future__ import annotations
 from functools import partial
 
 import json
-import asks
+import httpx
 import logging
 
 from ..log import (
@@ -60,11 +61,11 @@ class NoData(BrokerError):
     def __init__(
         self,
         *args,
-        info: dict,
+        info: dict|None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         super().__init__(*args)
-        self.info: dict = info
+        self.info: dict|None = info
 
         # when raised, machinery can check if the backend
         # set a "frame size" for doing datetime calcs.
@@ -90,16 +91,18 @@ class DataThrottle(BrokerError):
 
 
 def resproc(
-    resp: asks.response_objects.Response,
+    resp: httpx.Response,
     log: logging.Logger,
     return_json: bool = True,
     log_resp: bool = False,
 
-) -> asks.response_objects.Response:
-    """Process response and return its json content.
+) -> httpx.Response:
+    '''
+    Process response and return its json content.
 
     Raise the appropriate error on non-200 OK responses.
-    """
+
+    '''
     if not resp.status_code == 200:
         raise BrokerError(resp.body)
     try:
diff --git a/piker/brokers/binance/api.py b/piker/brokers/binance/api.py
index 0055668d..2d1c4ee6 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/binance/api.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/binance/api.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # piker: trading gear for hackers
 # Copyright (C)
-#   Guillermo Rodriguez (aka ze jefe)
-#   Tyler Goodlet
-#   (in stewardship for pikers)
+#  Guillermo Rodriguez (aka ze jefe)
+#  Tyler Goodlet
+#  (in stewardship for pikers)
 
 # This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 # it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
@@ -25,14 +25,13 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from collections import ChainMap
 from contextlib import (
     asynccontextmanager as acm,
+    AsyncExitStack,
 )
 from datetime import datetime
 from pprint import pformat
 from typing import (
     Any,
     Callable,
-    Hashable,
-    Sequence,
     Type,
 )
 import hmac
@@ -43,8 +42,7 @@ import trio
 from pendulum import (
     now,
 )
-import asks
-from rapidfuzz import process as fuzzy
+import httpx
 import numpy as np
 
 from piker import config
@@ -54,6 +52,7 @@ from piker.clearing._messages import (
 from piker.accounting import (
     Asset,
     digits_to_dec,
+    MktPair,
 )
 from piker.types import Struct
 from piker.data import (
@@ -69,7 +68,6 @@ from .venues import (
     PAIRTYPES,
     Pair,
     MarketType,
-
     _spot_url,
     _futes_url,
     _testnet_futes_url,
@@ -79,19 +77,18 @@ from .venues import (
 log = get_logger('piker.brokers.binance')
 
 
-def get_config() -> dict:
-
+def get_config() -> dict[str, Any]:
     conf: dict
     path: Path
     conf, path = config.load(
         conf_name='brokers',
         touch_if_dne=True,
     )
-
-    section = conf.get('binance')
-
+    section: dict = conf.get('binance')
     if not section:
-        log.warning(f'No config section found for binance in {path}')
+        log.warning(
+            f'No config section found for binance in {path}'
+        )
         return {}
 
     return section
@@ -147,7 +144,7 @@ def binance_timestamp(
 
 class Client:
     '''
-    Async ReST API client using ``trio`` + ``asks`` B)
+    Async ReST API client using `trio` + `httpx` B)
 
     Supports all of the spot, margin and futures endpoints depending
     on method.
@@ -156,10 +153,17 @@ class Client:
     def __init__(
         self,
 
+        venue_sessions: dict[
+            str,  # venue key
+            tuple[httpx.AsyncClient, str]  # session, eps path
+        ],
+        conf: dict[str, Any],
         # TODO: change this to `Client.[mkt_]venue: MarketType`?
         mkt_mode: MarketType = 'spot',
 
     ) -> None:
+        self.conf = conf
+
         # build out pair info tables for each market type
         # and wrap in a chain-map view for search / query.
         self._spot_pairs: dict[str, Pair] = {}  # spot info table
@@ -186,44 +190,13 @@ class Client:
         # market symbols for use by search. See `.exch_info()`.
         self._pairs: ChainMap[str, Pair] = ChainMap()
 
-        # spot EPs sesh
-        self._sesh = asks.Session(connections=4)
-        self._sesh.base_location: str = _spot_url
-        # spot testnet
-        self._test_sesh: asks.Session = asks.Session(connections=4)
-        self._test_sesh.base_location: str = _testnet_spot_url
-
-        # margin and extended spot endpoints session.
-        self._sapi_sesh = asks.Session(connections=4)
-        self._sapi_sesh.base_location: str = _spot_url
-
-        # futes EPs sesh
-        self._fapi_sesh = asks.Session(connections=4)
-        self._fapi_sesh.base_location: str = _futes_url
-        # futes testnet
-        self._test_fapi_sesh: asks.Session = asks.Session(connections=4)
-        self._test_fapi_sesh.base_location: str = _testnet_futes_url
-
         # global client "venue selection" mode.
         # set this when you want to switch venues and not have to
         # specify the venue for the next request.
         self.mkt_mode: MarketType = mkt_mode
 
-        # per 8
-        self.venue_sesh: dict[
-            str,  # venue key
-            tuple[asks.Session, str]  # session, eps path
-        ] = {
-            'spot': (self._sesh, '/api/v3/'),
-            'spot_testnet': (self._test_sesh, '/fapi/v1/'),
-
-            'margin': (self._sapi_sesh, '/sapi/v1/'),
-
-            'usdtm_futes': (self._fapi_sesh, '/fapi/v1/'),
-            'usdtm_futes_testnet': (self._test_fapi_sesh, '/fapi/v1/'),
-
-            # 'futes_coin': self._dapi,  # TODO
-        }
+        # per-mkt-venue API client table
+        self.venue_sesh = venue_sessions
 
         # lookup for going from `.mkt_mode: str` to the config
         # subsection `key: str`
@@ -238,40 +211,6 @@ class Client:
             'futes': ['usdtm_futes'],
         }
 
-        # for creating API keys see,
-        # https://www.binance.com/en/support/faq/how-to-create-api-keys-on-binance-360002502072
-        self.conf: dict = get_config()
-
-        for key, subconf in self.conf.items():
-            if api_key := subconf.get('api_key', ''):
-                venue_keys: list[str] = self.confkey2venuekeys[key]
-
-                venue_key: str
-                sesh: asks.Session
-                for venue_key in venue_keys:
-                    sesh, _ = self.venue_sesh[venue_key]
-
-                    api_key_header: dict = {
-                        # taken from official:
-                        # https://github.com/binance/binance-futures-connector-python/blob/main/binance/api.py#L47
-                        "Content-Type": "application/json;charset=utf-8",
-
-                        # TODO: prolly should just always query and copy
-                        # in the real latest ver?
-                        "User-Agent": "binance-connector/6.1.6smbz6",
-                        "X-MBX-APIKEY": api_key,
-                    }
-                    sesh.headers.update(api_key_header)
-
-                    # if `.use_tesnet = true` in the config then
-                    # also add headers for the testnet session which
-                    # will be used for all order control
-                    if subconf.get('use_testnet', False):
-                        testnet_sesh, _ = self.venue_sesh[
-                            venue_key + '_testnet'
-                        ]
-                        testnet_sesh.headers.update(api_key_header)
-
     def _mk_sig(
         self,
         data: dict,
@@ -290,7 +229,6 @@ class Client:
                 'to define the creds for auth-ed endpoints!?'
             )
 
-
         # XXX: Info on security and authentification
         # https://binance-docs.github.io/apidocs/#endpoint-security-type
         if not (api_secret := subconf.get('api_secret')):
@@ -319,7 +257,7 @@ class Client:
         params: dict,
 
         method: str = 'get',
-        venue: str | None = None,  # if None use `.mkt_mode` state
+        venue: str|None = None,  # if None use `.mkt_mode` state
         signed: bool = False,
         allow_testnet: bool = False,
 
@@ -330,8 +268,9 @@ class Client:
         - /fapi/v3/ USD-M FUTURES, or
         - /api/v3/ SPOT/MARGIN
 
-        account/market endpoint request depending on either passed in `venue: str`
-        or the current setting `.mkt_mode: str` setting, default `'spot'`.
+        account/market endpoint request depending on either passed in
+        `venue: str` or the current setting `.mkt_mode: str` setting,
+        default `'spot'`.
 
 
         Docs per venue API:
@@ -360,9 +299,6 @@ class Client:
                 venue=venue_key,
             )
 
-        sesh: asks.Session
-        path: str
-
         # Check if we're configured to route order requests to the
         # venue equivalent's testnet.
         use_testnet: bool = False
@@ -387,11 +323,12 @@ class Client:
             # ctl machinery B)
             venue_key += '_testnet'
 
-        sesh, path = self.venue_sesh[venue_key]
-
-        meth: Callable = getattr(sesh, method)
+        client: httpx.AsyncClient
+        path: str
+        client, path = self.venue_sesh[venue_key]
+        meth: Callable = getattr(client, method)
         resp = await meth(
-            path=path + endpoint,
+            url=path + endpoint,
             params=params,
             timeout=float('inf'),
         )
@@ -433,7 +370,15 @@ class Client:
                 item['filters'] = filters
 
             pair_type: Type = PAIRTYPES[venue]
-            pair: Pair = pair_type(**item)
+            try:
+                pair: Pair = pair_type(**item)
+            except Exception as e:
+                e.add_note(
+                    "\nDon't panic, prolly stupid binance changed their symbology schema again..\n"
+                    'Check out their API docs here:\n\n'
+                    'https://binance-docs.github.io/apidocs/spot/en/#exchange-information'
+                )
+                raise
             pair_table[pair.symbol.upper()] = pair
 
             # update an additional top-level-cross-venue-table
@@ -528,7 +473,9 @@ class Client:
 
         '''
         pair_table: dict[str, Pair] = self._venue2pairs[
-            venue or self.mkt_mode
+            venue
+            or
+            self.mkt_mode
         ]
         if (
             expiry
@@ -547,9 +494,9 @@ class Client:
             venues: list[str] = [venue]
 
         # batch per-venue download of all exchange infos
-        async with trio.open_nursery() as rn:
+        async with trio.open_nursery() as tn:
             for ven in venues:
-                rn.start_soon(
+                tn.start_soon(
                     self._cache_pairs,
                     ven,
                 )
@@ -602,11 +549,11 @@ class Client:
 
     ) -> dict[str, Any]:
 
-        fq_pairs: dict = await self.exch_info()
+        fq_pairs: dict[str, Pair] = await self.exch_info()
 
         # TODO: cache this list like we were in
         # `open_symbol_search()`?
-        keys: list[str] = list(fq_pairs)
+        # keys: list[str] = list(fq_pairs)
 
         return match_from_pairs(
             pairs=fq_pairs,
@@ -614,9 +561,19 @@ class Client:
             score_cutoff=50,
         )
 
+    def pair2venuekey(
+        self,
+        pair: Pair,
+    ) -> str:
+        return {
+            'USDTM': 'usdtm_futes',
+            # 'COINM': 'coin_futes',
+            # ^-TODO-^ bc someone might want it..?
+        }[pair.venue]
+
     async def bars(
         self,
-        symbol: str,
+        mkt: MktPair,
 
         start_dt: datetime | None = None,
         end_dt: datetime | None = None,
@@ -646,16 +603,20 @@ class Client:
         start_time = binance_timestamp(start_dt)
         end_time = binance_timestamp(end_dt)
 
+        bs_pair: Pair = self._pairs[mkt.bs_fqme.upper()]
+
         # https://binance-docs.github.io/apidocs/spot/en/#kline-candlestick-data
         bars = await self._api(
             'klines',
             params={
-                'symbol': symbol.upper(),
+                # NOTE: always query using their native symbology!
+                'symbol': mkt.bs_mktid.upper(),
                 'interval': '1m',
                 'startTime': start_time,
                 'endTime': end_time,
                 'limit': limit
             },
+            venue=self.pair2venuekey(bs_pair),
             allow_testnet=False,
         )
         new_bars: list[tuple] = []
@@ -972,17 +933,148 @@ class Client:
         await self.close_listen_key(key)
 
 
+_venue_urls: dict[str, str] = {
+    'spot': (
+        _spot_url,
+        '/api/v3/',
+    ),
+    'spot_testnet': (
+        _testnet_spot_url,
+        '/fapi/v1/'
+    ),
+    # margin and extended spot endpoints session.
+    # TODO: did this ever get implemented fully?
+    # 'margin': (
+    #     _spot_url,
+    #     '/sapi/v1/'
+    # ),
+
+    'usdtm_futes': (
+        _futes_url,
+        '/fapi/v1/',
+    ),
+
+    'usdtm_futes_testnet': (
+        _testnet_futes_url,
+        '/fapi/v1/',
+    ),
+
+    # TODO: for anyone who actually needs it ;P
+    # 'coin_futes': ()
+}
+
+
+def init_api_keys(
+    client: Client,
+    conf: dict[str, Any],
+) -> None:
+    '''
+    Set up per-venue API keys each http client according to the user's
+    `brokers.conf`.
+
+    For ex, to use spot-testnet and live usdt futures APIs:
+
+    ```toml
+        [binance]
+        # spot test net
+        spot.use_testnet = true
+        spot.api_key = '<spot_api_key_from_binance_account>'
+        spot.api_secret = '<spot_api_key_password>'
+
+        # futes live
+        futes.use_testnet = false
+        accounts.usdtm = 'futes'
+        futes.api_key = '<futes_api_key_from_binance>'
+        futes.api_secret = '<futes_api_key_password>''
+
+        # if uncommented will use the built-in paper engine and not
+        # connect to `binance` API servers for order ctl.
+        # accounts.paper = 'paper'
+    ```
+
+    '''
+    for key, subconf in conf.items():
+        if api_key := subconf.get('api_key', ''):
+            venue_keys: list[str] = client.confkey2venuekeys[key]
+
+            venue_key: str
+            client: httpx.AsyncClient
+            for venue_key in venue_keys:
+                client, _ = client.venue_sesh[venue_key]
+
+                api_key_header: dict = {
+                    # taken from official:
+                    # https://github.com/binance/binance-futures-connector-python/blob/main/binance/api.py#L47
+                    "Content-Type": "application/json;charset=utf-8",
+
+                    # TODO: prolly should just always query and copy
+                    # in the real latest ver?
+                    "User-Agent": "binance-connector/6.1.6smbz6",
+                    "X-MBX-APIKEY": api_key,
+                }
+                client.headers.update(api_key_header)
+
+                # if `.use_tesnet = true` in the config then
+                # also add headers for the testnet session which
+                # will be used for all order control
+                if subconf.get('use_testnet', False):
+                    testnet_sesh, _ = client.venue_sesh[
+                        venue_key + '_testnet'
+                    ]
+                    testnet_sesh.headers.update(api_key_header)
+
+
 @acm
-async def get_client() -> Client:
+async def get_client(
+    mkt_mode: MarketType = 'spot',
+) -> Client:
+    '''
+    Construct an single `piker` client which composes multiple underlying venue
+    specific API clients both for live and test networks.
 
-    client = Client()
-    await client.exch_info()
-    log.info(
-        f'{client} in {client.mkt_mode} mode: caching exchange infos..\n'
-        'Cached multi-market pairs:\n'
-        f'spot: {len(client._spot_pairs)}\n'
-        f'usdtm_futes: {len(client._ufutes_pairs)}\n'
-        f'Total: {len(client._pairs)}\n'
-    )
+    '''
+    venue_sessions: dict[
+        str,  # venue key
+        tuple[httpx.AsyncClient, str]  # session, eps path
+    ] = {}
+    async with AsyncExitStack() as client_stack:
+        for name, (base_url, path) in _venue_urls.items():
+            api: httpx.AsyncClient = await client_stack.enter_async_context(
+                httpx.AsyncClient(
+                    base_url=base_url,
+                    # headers={},
 
-    yield client
+                    # TODO: is there a way to numerate this?
+                    # https://www.python-httpx.org/advanced/clients/#why-use-a-client
+                    # connections=4
+                )
+            )
+            venue_sessions[name] = (
+                api,
+                path,
+            )
+
+        conf: dict[str, Any] = get_config()
+        # for creating API keys see,
+        # https://www.binance.com/en/support/faq/how-to-create-api-keys-on-binance-360002502072
+        client = Client(
+            venue_sessions=venue_sessions,
+            conf=conf,
+            mkt_mode=mkt_mode,
+        )
+        init_api_keys(
+            client=client,
+            conf=conf,
+        )
+        fq_pairs: dict[str, Pair] = await client.exch_info()
+        assert fq_pairs
+        log.info(
+            f'Loaded multi-venue `Client` in mkt_mode={client.mkt_mode!r}\n\n'
+            f'Symbology Summary:\n'
+            f'------ - ------\n'
+            f'spot: {len(client._spot_pairs)}\n'
+            f'usdtm_futes: {len(client._ufutes_pairs)}\n'
+            '------ - ------\n'
+            f'total: {len(client._pairs)}\n'
+        )
+        yield client
diff --git a/piker/brokers/binance/broker.py b/piker/brokers/binance/broker.py
index ff6a2ff5..a13ce38f 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/binance/broker.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/binance/broker.py
@@ -264,15 +264,20 @@ async def open_trade_dialog(
     # do a open_symcache() call.. though maybe we can hide
     # this in a new async version of open_account()?
     async with open_cached_client('binance') as client:
-        subconf: dict = client.conf[venue_name]
-        use_testnet = subconf.get('use_testnet', False)
+        subconf: dict|None = client.conf.get(venue_name)
 
         # XXX: if no futes.api_key or spot.api_key has been set we
         # always fall back to the paper engine!
-        if not subconf.get('api_key'):
+        if (
+            not subconf
+            or
+            not subconf.get('api_key')
+        ):
             await ctx.started('paper')
             return
 
+        use_testnet: bool = subconf.get('use_testnet', False)
+
     async with (
         open_cached_client('binance') as client,
     ):
diff --git a/piker/brokers/binance/feed.py b/piker/brokers/binance/feed.py
index 1416d6a7..3a242e02 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/binance/feed.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/binance/feed.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ import tractor
 
 from piker.brokers import (
     open_cached_client,
+    NoData,
 )
 from piker._cacheables import (
     async_lifo_cache,
@@ -252,24 +253,30 @@ async def open_history_client(
             else:
                 client.mkt_mode = 'spot'
 
-            # NOTE: always query using their native symbology!
-            mktid: str = mkt.bs_mktid
-            array = await client.bars(
-                mktid,
+            array: np.ndarray = await client.bars(
+                mkt=mkt,
                 start_dt=start_dt,
                 end_dt=end_dt,
             )
+            if array.size == 0:
+                raise NoData(
+                    f'No frame for {start_dt} -> {end_dt}\n'
+                )
+
             times = array['time']
-            if (
-                end_dt is None
-            ):
-                inow = round(time.time())
+            if not times.any():
+                raise ValueError(
+                    'Bad frame with null-times?\n\n'
+                    f'{times}'
+                )
+
+            if end_dt is None:
+                inow: int = round(time.time())
                 if (inow - times[-1]) > 60:
                     await tractor.pause()
 
             start_dt = from_timestamp(times[0])
             end_dt = from_timestamp(times[-1])
-
             return array, start_dt, end_dt
 
         yield get_ohlc, {'erlangs': 3, 'rate': 3}
diff --git a/piker/brokers/binance/venues.py b/piker/brokers/binance/venues.py
index 2529e520..dce0ea95 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/binance/venues.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/binance/venues.py
@@ -137,10 +137,12 @@ class SpotPair(Pair, frozen=True):
     quoteOrderQtyMarketAllowed: bool
     isSpotTradingAllowed: bool
     isMarginTradingAllowed: bool
+    otoAllowed: bool
 
     defaultSelfTradePreventionMode: str
     allowedSelfTradePreventionModes: list[str]
     permissions: list[str]
+    permissionSets: list[list[str]]
 
     # NOTE: see `.data._symcache.SymbologyCache.load()` for why
     ns_path: str = 'piker.brokers.binance:SpotPair'
diff --git a/piker/brokers/kraken/api.py b/piker/brokers/kraken/api.py
index 6414de8e..4b16a2d0 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/kraken/api.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/kraken/api.py
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ from typing import (
 )
 import time
 
+import httpx
 import pendulum
-import asks
 import numpy as np
 import urllib.parse
 import hashlib
@@ -60,6 +60,11 @@ log = get_logger('piker.brokers.kraken')
 
 # <uri>/<version>/
 _url = 'https://api.kraken.com/0'
+
+_headers: dict[str, str] = {
+    'User-Agent': 'krakenex/2.1.0 (+https://github.com/veox/python3-krakenex)'
+}
+
 # TODO: this is the only backend providing this right?
 # in which case we should drop it from the defaults and
 # instead make a custom fields descr in this module!
@@ -135,16 +140,15 @@ class Client:
     def __init__(
         self,
         config: dict[str, str],
+        httpx_client: httpx.AsyncClient,
+
         name: str = '',
         api_key: str = '',
         secret: str = ''
     ) -> None:
-        self._sesh = asks.Session(connections=4)
-        self._sesh.base_location = _url
-        self._sesh.headers.update({
-            'User-Agent':
-                'krakenex/2.1.0 (+https://github.com/veox/python3-krakenex)'
-        })
+
+        self._sesh: httpx.AsyncClient = httpx_client
+
         self._name = name
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._secret = secret
@@ -166,10 +170,9 @@ class Client:
         method: str,
         data: dict,
     ) -> dict[str, Any]:
-        resp = await self._sesh.post(
-            path=f'/public/{method}',
+        resp: httpx.Response = await self._sesh.post(
+            url=f'/public/{method}',
             json=data,
-            timeout=float('inf')
         )
         return resproc(resp, log)
 
@@ -180,18 +183,18 @@ class Client:
         uri_path: str
     ) -> dict[str, Any]:
         headers = {
-            'Content-Type':
-                'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
-            'API-Key':
-                self._api_key,
-            'API-Sign':
-                get_kraken_signature(uri_path, data, self._secret)
+            'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
+            'API-Key': self._api_key,
+            'API-Sign': get_kraken_signature(
+                uri_path,
+                data,
+                self._secret,
+            ),
         }
-        resp = await self._sesh.post(
-            path=f'/private/{method}',
+        resp: httpx.Response = await self._sesh.post(
+            url=f'/private/{method}',
             data=data,
             headers=headers,
-            timeout=float('inf')
         )
         return resproc(resp, log)
 
@@ -665,24 +668,36 @@ class Client:
 @acm
 async def get_client() -> Client:
 
-    conf = get_config()
-    if conf:
-        client = Client(
-            conf,
+    conf: dict[str, Any] = get_config()
+    async with httpx.AsyncClient(
+        base_url=_url,
+        headers=_headers,
 
-            # TODO: don't break these up and just do internal
-            # conf lookups instead..
-            name=conf['key_descr'],
-            api_key=conf['api_key'],
-            secret=conf['secret']
-        )
-    else:
-        client = Client({})
+        # TODO: is there a way to numerate this?
+        # https://www.python-httpx.org/advanced/clients/#why-use-a-client
+        # connections=4
+    ) as trio_client:
+        if conf:
+            client = Client(
+                conf,
+                httpx_client=trio_client,
 
-    # at startup, load all symbols, and asset info in
-    # batch requests.
-    async with trio.open_nursery() as nurse:
-        nurse.start_soon(client.get_assets)
-        await client.get_mkt_pairs()
+                # TODO: don't break these up and just do internal
+                # conf lookups instead..
+                name=conf['key_descr'],
+                api_key=conf['api_key'],
+                secret=conf['secret']
+            )
+        else:
+            client = Client(
+                conf={},
+                httpx_client=trio_client,
+            )
 
-    yield client
+        # at startup, load all symbols, and asset info in
+        # batch requests.
+        async with trio.open_nursery() as nurse:
+            nurse.start_soon(client.get_assets)
+            await client.get_mkt_pairs()
+
+        yield client
diff --git a/piker/brokers/kraken/broker.py b/piker/brokers/kraken/broker.py
index 53168c03..eb5963cd 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/kraken/broker.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/kraken/broker.py
@@ -612,18 +612,18 @@ async def open_trade_dialog(
 
                 # enter relay loop
                 await handle_order_updates(
-                    client,
-                    ws,
-                    stream,
-                    ems_stream,
-                    apiflows,
-                    ids,
-                    reqids2txids,
-                    acnt,
-                    api_trans,
-                    acctid,
-                    acc_name,
-                    token,
+                    client=client,
+                    ws=ws,
+                    ws_stream=stream,
+                    ems_stream=ems_stream,
+                    apiflows=apiflows,
+                    ids=ids,
+                    reqids2txids=reqids2txids,
+                    acnt=acnt,
+                    ledger=ledger,
+                    acctid=acctid,
+                    acc_name=acc_name,
+                    token=token,
                 )
 
 
@@ -639,7 +639,8 @@ async def handle_order_updates(
 
     # transaction records which will be updated
     # on new trade clearing events (aka order "fills")
-    ledger_trans: dict[str, Transaction],
+    ledger: TransactionLedger,
+    # ledger_trans: dict[str, Transaction],
     acctid: str,
     acc_name: str,
     token: str,
@@ -699,7 +700,8 @@ async def handle_order_updates(
                     # if tid not in ledger_trans
                 }
                 for tid, trade in trades.items():
-                    assert tid not in ledger_trans
+                    # assert tid not in ledger_trans
+                    assert tid not in ledger
                     txid = trade['ordertxid']
                     reqid = trade.get('userref')
 
@@ -747,11 +749,17 @@ async def handle_order_updates(
                     client,
                     api_name_set='wsname',
                 )
-                ppmsgs = trades2pps(
-                    acnt,
-                    acctid,
-                    new_trans,
+                ppmsgs: list[BrokerdPosition] = trades2pps(
+                    acnt=acnt,
+                    ledger=ledger,
+                    acctid=acctid,
+                    new_trans=new_trans,
                 )
+                # ppmsgs = trades2pps(
+                #     acnt,
+                #     acctid,
+                #     new_trans,
+                # )
                 for pp_msg in ppmsgs:
                     await ems_stream.send(pp_msg)
 
diff --git a/piker/brokers/kucoin.py b/piker/brokers/kucoin.py
index 28524a22..0f5961ae 100755
--- a/piker/brokers/kucoin.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/kucoin.py
@@ -16,10 +16,9 @@
 # along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 '''
-Kucoin broker backend
+Kucoin cex API backend.
 
 '''
-
 from contextlib import (
     asynccontextmanager as acm,
     aclosing,
@@ -42,7 +41,7 @@ import wsproto
 from uuid import uuid4
 
 from trio_typing import TaskStatus
-import asks
+import httpx
 from bidict import bidict
 import numpy as np
 import pendulum
@@ -212,8 +211,12 @@ def get_config() -> BrokerConfig | None:
 
 class Client:
 
-    def __init__(self) -> None:
-        self._config: BrokerConfig | None = get_config()
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        httpx_client: httpx.AsyncClient,
+    ) -> None:
+        self._http: httpx.AsyncClient = httpx_client
+        self._config: BrokerConfig|None = get_config()
         self._pairs: dict[str, KucoinMktPair] = {}
         self._fqmes2mktids: bidict[str, str] = bidict()
         self._bars: list[list[float]] = []
@@ -227,18 +230,24 @@ class Client:
 
     ) -> dict[str, str | bytes]:
         '''
-        Generate authenticated request headers
+        Generate authenticated request headers:
+
         https://docs.kucoin.com/#authentication
+        https://www.kucoin.com/docs/basic-info/connection-method/authentication/creating-a-request
+        https://www.kucoin.com/docs/basic-info/connection-method/authentication/signing-a-message
 
         '''
-
         if not self._config:
             raise ValueError(
-                'No config found when trying to send authenticated request')
+                'No config found when trying to send authenticated request'
+            )
 
         str_to_sign = (
             str(int(time.time() * 1000))
-            + action + f'/api/{api}/{endpoint.lstrip("/")}'
+            +
+            action
+            +
+            f'/api/{api}/{endpoint.lstrip("/")}'
         )
 
         signature = base64.b64encode(
@@ -249,6 +258,7 @@ class Client:
             ).digest()
         )
 
+        # TODO: can we cache this between calls?
         passphrase = base64.b64encode(
             hmac.new(
                 self._config.key_secret.encode('utf-8'),
@@ -270,8 +280,10 @@ class Client:
         self,
         action: Literal['POST', 'GET'],
         endpoint: str,
+
         api: str = 'v2',
         headers: dict = {},
+
     ) -> Any:
         '''
         Generic request wrapper for Kucoin API
@@ -284,14 +296,19 @@ class Client:
                 api,
             )
 
-        api_url = f'https://api.kucoin.com/api/{api}/{endpoint}'
-
-        res = await asks.request(action, api_url, headers=headers)
-
-        json = res.json()
-        if 'data' in json:
-            return json['data']
+        req_meth: Callable = getattr(
+            self._http,
+            action.lower(),
+        )
+        res = await req_meth(
+            url=f'/{api}/{endpoint}',
+            headers=headers,
+        )
+        json: dict = res.json()
+        if (data := json.get('data')) is not None:
+            return data
         else:
+            api_url: str = self._http.base_url
             log.error(
                 f'Error making request to {api_url} ->\n'
                 f'{pformat(res)}'
@@ -311,7 +328,7 @@ class Client:
         '''
         token_type = 'private' if private else 'public'
         try:
-            data: dict[str, Any] | None = await self._request(
+            data: dict[str, Any]|None = await self._request(
                 'POST',
                 endpoint=f'bullet-{token_type}',
                 api='v1'
@@ -349,8 +366,8 @@ class Client:
             currencies: dict[str, Currency] = {}
             entries: list[dict] = await self._request(
                 'GET',
-                api='v1',
                 endpoint='currencies',
+                api='v1',
             )
             for entry in entries:
                 curr = Currency(**entry).copy()
@@ -366,7 +383,10 @@ class Client:
         dict[str, KucoinMktPair],
         bidict[str, KucoinMktPair],
     ]:
-        entries = await self._request('GET', 'symbols')
+        entries = await self._request(
+            'GET',
+            endpoint='symbols',
+        )
         log.info(f' {len(entries)} Kucoin market pairs fetched')
 
         pairs: dict[str, KucoinMktPair] = {}
@@ -567,13 +587,21 @@ def fqme_to_kucoin_sym(
 
 @acm
 async def get_client() -> AsyncGenerator[Client, None]:
-    client = Client()
+    '''
+    Load an API `Client` preconfigured from user settings
 
-    async with trio.open_nursery() as n:
-        n.start_soon(client.get_mkt_pairs)
-        await client.get_currencies()
+    '''
+    async with (
+        httpx.AsyncClient(
+            base_url=f'https://api.kucoin.com/api',
+        ) as trio_client,
+    ):
+        client = Client(httpx_client=trio_client)
+        async with trio.open_nursery() as tn:
+            tn.start_soon(client.get_mkt_pairs)
+            await client.get_currencies()
 
-    yield client
+        yield client
 
 
 @tractor.context