Isn't HEAT a clone of NXT? What exactly is different about it when it comes to exchange integration?
HEAT isn't a clone of NXT, but a more advanced system on both capacity and features. Parts of HEAT are based on NXT's p2p protocol and cryptography, relying on the proven core parts while being able to offer a more extensive feature set.
HEAT supports legacy API format compatible with NXT, as described in the server file heat-default.properties:
#### LEGACY API - REQUIRES INCLUSION OF `heatledger-legacy-*.*.*.jar` #######
# Heat legacy API offers an NXT compatible API of a selected set of NXT API's to
# accommodate existing application operators to hook-in HEAT technology easily using
# existing NXT based sysyems.
#
# Not all API's are included in the legacy API if you or your organization requires
# one or more specific NXT based API's please contact us at support@heatledger.com
# to discuss the possibilities of adding your missing API.
#
# Currently we provide compatibility for the following NXT API's, this includes
# messages and encryptedMessages
#
# - getAccountId
# - getBalance
# - getBlockId
# - getBlocks
# - getTransaction
# - sendMoney
# - getBlockchainTransactions (requires heat.replicatorEnabled=true)
#If exchanges wish to use the more advanced features of HEAT, they need to alter their NXT based system. They need to alter it regardless, as ports etc. aren't the same.
Cross posting this to the
HEAT Announcements and Technical info discussion thread, as it's a good question.