Relai Review: How Good is Europe’s Leading Bitcoin App?

Relai is a market-leading app for buying and holding bitcoin. You make one-off purchases or set up automatic recurring ones, and the coins go straight to a wallet only you control. That’s the core of the product.

This review explains Relai, how it works, what makes it stand out, and whether it’s worth using as your primary way to invest in bitcoin in Europe.

TL;DR

• Relai is a Swiss-based app designed exclusively for buying and storing bitcoin.
• It’s registered as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) with the French AMF under MiCA.
• Relai is best suited for long-term bitcoin holders prioritizing self-custody.

What Is Relai?

Relai was founded in Switzerland by Julian Liniger and Adem Bilican to make buying and holding bitcoin in Europe as simple as possible. Recently, the app has crossed $1 billion in total transaction volume and surpassed 500,000 app downloads since its founding. It was also named one of Europe’s fastest-growing startups by Sifted in 2024 and took home the “Best Crypto Startup” award at the Swiss Crypto Awards that same year.

The platform operates across three tiers. 

The mobile app is for retail investors, and it covers one-time purchases and automated savings plans from €50 or CHF 50. Relai Private is a high-touch service for high-net-worth individuals trading above 100,000 CHF or EUR, with personalized guidance and dedicated support. Relai Business is designed for SMEs that want to add bitcoin to their corporate balance sheet, with the same self-custodial model and expert guidance as the other tiers.

The app is available in English, German, French, and Italian. It serves users in Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, and the broader EU.

What Makes Relai Different?

Relai is bitcoin-only by design. It also defaults to self-custody and holds a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) license.

Bitcoin-Only by Design

Relai doesn’t list altcoins, stablecoins, DeFi products, or leveraged tokens. If you open the app looking for anything other than bitcoin, you’ll leave empty-handed. But if you’re there to buy bitcoin, there’s no noise from these other products.

Self-Custody by Default

Relai is designed as a non-custodial service, with BTC delivered directly to a wallet you control, backed by a recovery phrase generated locally on your device.

MiCA Compliance and Swiss Regulation

Relai is one of the first bitcoin-only platforms to be registered as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) with the French Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) under the MiCA framework. It is also a registered member of the Swiss VQF/SRO.

Set-and-Forget Savings Plans

Relai’s Bitcoin Savings Plan is its most-used feature. Set it once with a desired frequency (weekly, biweekly, or monthly), and the app will automatically debit your bank account on schedule and route BTC straight to your wallet.

Ease of Use

The interface is stripped back to a handful of options. New users can download the app, sign up, complete verification, and make their first purchase within minutes. Setting up a savings plan takes a few taps. Just enter an amount, pick a frequency, and confirm.

Payment Methods & Fees

Relai charges a 1% base service fee on most transactions. Apply a referral code and the rate drops to 0.9%. High-volume investors or business accounts can see rates scale down even further. 

Relai waives its service fee on one bitcoin purchase per calendar month for transactions up to €100 or CHF 100, as long as the buy happens through the savings plan feature. Network fees may still apply.

Card payments, including credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, typically incur an additional fee of around 3% per transaction. Bank transfers via SEPA are usually the most cost-effective option, with no additional fee from Relai (though your bank may apply its own charges).

Who Is Relai Best For?

Relai is great for long-term bitcoin savers who want to automate recurring purchases without managing an exchange account. Anyone who doesn’t trust exchange custody after FTX and Celsius will find the default non-custodial setup reassuring. Beginners who find traditional exchanges too complex or intimidating will appreciate the minimal interface. 

For European investors seeking a regulated platform, Relai’s MiCA CASP registration and Swiss VQF membership make it a strong option.

Relai is less suited to active traders who need features such as advanced order types or stop losses. Anyone who wants altcoin exposure or yield products will need to look elsewhere.

Closing Thoughts

Relai’s focus is narrow on purpose. You can’t trade altcoins, hold stablecoins, earn yield, or place a limit order. What you can do is set up a recurring bitcoin buy and hold your own keys.

This tradeoff won’t suit everyone. Active traders and anyone wanting exposure beyond bitcoin should look at a general-purpose exchange.

But for Europeans who’ve decided that bitcoin is the only cryptocurrency they care about and want a MiCA-regulated way to buy it, Relai provides one of the best ways to do it.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk, including the potential loss of capital. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.