Nordic APIs Digest #5/2025 - Ways to Optimize OAuth Performance
Hello world,
We've all seen the sensationalist headlines proclaiming the death of microservices - but the reality? Far from it. A whopping 85% of large organizations still rely on them. j simpson cuts through the noise to unpack the real state of microservices today. While they're no silver bullet, they're certainly alive and well.
Meanwhile, Art Anthony explores the evolving landscape of open banking. One striking trend? Large banks are starting to resemble challengers, thanks in no small part to open APIs.
OAuth remains the backbone of API security, but how can we fine-tune it? Kristopher Sandoval ?? GDC shares expert tips to optimize OAuth performance - plus, don't miss their deep dive into SPIFFE vs. SPIRE, two emerging standards for machine-to-machine identity.
Speaking of identity, I sat down with David Brossard , CTO of Axiomatics , to discuss Salesforce's journey with their homegrown CIAM solution.
And finally, Moesif 's Derric Gilling returns to the blog to tackle API monetization in the AI age. There's far more to it than just per-call pricing - API product managers, this one's for you.
Thanks for reading,
Editor in Chief, Nordic APIs
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Blog Highlights
Are Microservices Going out of Style?
by j simpson
Microservices are still a viable architectural style, even if they're not generating as many buzzy headlines as they once were. Discover the future of microservices in 2025 — what's hype, what's real, and how modern architectures are evolving. Read blog post.
Securing Cloud-Native Workloads with SPIFFE and SPIRE
by Kristopher Sandoval
Within heterogeneous enterprise IT environments, workload identification has become much more important in a rapid way. SPIFFE and its SPIRE implementation provide a way to validate identity in complex machine-to-machine systems. Learn more.
7 Ways to Optimize OAuth Performance
by Kristopher Sandoval
OAuth can be highly optimized for various flows depending on your system's needs. While an OAuth system is relatively easy to use, it's possible to implement the solution in a sub-optimal way. Learn more.
Monetizing Proprietary Data Through APIs: How to Unlock New Revenue in the AI World
by Derric Gilling
Monetizing data quality isn't just about pricing per HTTP 200 or 400 status code. Here's a more nuanced approach to pricing API calls at a granular level. Have a read.
Exploring Salesforce's Journey with CIAM
by Bill Doerrfeld
Who should own customer identity — marketing or security? Salesforce's CIAM journey reveals why identity strategy matters and what businesses can learn from their approach. Read more.
The State of Digital Banking in the UK
by Art Anthony
Whether banking or fintech, the UK's finance space is one to watch. The industry is increasingly leaning on APIs and open data to reach ambitious goals. Here's what's next - read more.
At Nordic APIs, we are striving to inspire API practitioners with thought-provoking content. By sharing compelling stories, we aim to show that everyone can benefit from using APIs.
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