Relai has established itself as a market-leading Bitcoin app, offering self-custody security, regulatory compliance, and a user-friendly interface to make buying and selling Bitcoin as easy and accessible as possible.
In this in-depth Relai review, you’ll learn about the main features of the app, what additional services it offers, why they’re so keen on self-custody, and what you can expect if you become a Relai app user.
TL;DR
- Relai is the best Swiss Bitcoin-only app focused on security, compliance, and simplicity.
- The app comes with a self-custody wallet to ensure you control your private keys from purchase to storage.
- The company offers zero-fee monthly auto-invest on purchases up to 100 CHF/EUR, which is ideal for anyone looking to save in Bitcoin.
- Relai offers flexible payment options including free bank transfers, cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
What Is Relai?
Relai is a Swiss-made Bitcoin app that has revolutionized how Swiss investors buy and store Bitcoin. Founded as a Bitcoin-only platform, Relai serves over 85,000 users across Switzerland and the Eurozone with a simple mission: make Bitcoin investing as easy and secure as possible!
Unlike traditional crypto exchanges that offer hundreds of speculative tokens, Relai focuses exclusively on Bitcoin. This Bitcoin-only approach eliminates the confusion and risks associated with the broader “crypto” market, allowing users to focus on what matters most: building long-term wealth through the world’s best digital money.
Relai operates as a licensed Swiss financial service provider, fully compliant with Switzerland’s Anti-Money Laundering Act and regulated by VQF (Verein zur Qualitätssicherung von Finanzdienstleistungen). This regulatory foundation provides users with peace of mind that their investments are protected by some of the world’s strictest financial standards.
How Does Relai Work?
Getting started with Relai is remarkably straightforward, requiring just four simple steps:
Step 1: Download the App: Available on both iOS and Android, the Relai app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The onboarding process, which involves simply identifying yourself with a passport, email, and phone number, is streamlined and user-friendly, requiring minimal personal information to get started.
Step 2: Choose Your Investment Amount: You can start investing with as little as 50 CHF/EUR and scale up to 100,000 CHF/EUR per year once verified. The platform allows both one-time purchases and recurring auto-invest plans.
Step 3: Select Payment Method and Add Referral Code: Relai offers multiple payment options, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Each method has different processing times, and instant payment options charge you between 1.5% and 3%. Bank transfers are completely free of charge. Relai’s operation fee is a flat rate of 1%, which you can lower with a referral code to 0.9%.
Step 4: Set Up Auto-Invest: Relai offers a 0% fee plan up to 100 CHF/EUR a month, or 1,200 CHF/EUR a year. For higher amounts, simply set up a standing order with your bank or choose automatic card payments. Your Bitcoin purchases will then execute automatically according to your chosen schedule.
Step 5: Explore the App and Relai’s Excellent Learning Materials: Relai offers more than just buying and selling features; it also features an integrated self-custodial wallet. With it, the user is in full control of their Bitcoin. Additionally, Relai offers excellent learning materials through the app, its website, and YouTube channel. A look around all of that is worth it!
Key Features of Relai
Now, let’s take a look at what Relai has to offer in terms of features and functionalities.
User Experience
Relai has earned recognition as an award-winning Bitcoin app thanks to its intuitive design and simplified user interface. The platform recently underwent a complete redesign, focusing on clarity and ease of use. Users consistently praise the app’s straightforward navigation, with reviews highlighting phrases like “super simple,” “perfect,” and “easy to use.”
The onboarding process takes just minutes, and the buy flow has been optimized to eliminate confusion. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced investor, the app provides a smooth experience that removes technical barriers to Bitcoin ownership.
Bitcoin-Only Focus
While other platforms distract users with thousands of speculative altcoins, Relai maintains laser focus on Bitcoin. This approach reflects a deep understanding that Bitcoin isn’t just another cryptocurrency; it’s a monetary revolution that deserves dedicated attention.
By avoiding the “crypto” noise, Relai users can concentrate on accumulating the world’s most secure and decentralized digital asset without the temptation to gamble on unproven tokens. This Bitcoin-only philosophy aligns with industry leaders like Michael Saylor and institutions like BlackRock, who recognize Bitcoin’s unique properties as digital gold.
Bitcoin Savings Plan
One of Relai’s standout features is its Bitcoin Savings Plan functionality, which enables users to implement dollar-cost averaging (DCA) strategies effortlessly. Users can set up weekly or monthly auto-invest plans to build their Bitcoin position gradually over time.
This Bitcoin Savings Plan approach helps smooth out Bitcoin’s natural volatility while building discipline around regular investing. The platform makes it incredibly easy to set up recurring purchases, requiring only a standing order with your bank to automate the entire process.
Research consistently shows that regular Bitcoin Savings Plan strategies outperform attempts to time the market, making this feature particularly valuable for long-term investors.
Relai Private
For high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) seeking to trade larger volumes, Relai Private offers a premium over-the-counter (OTC) service. This service caters to trades exceeding 100,000 CHF/EUR with personalized support and competitive pricing.
Relai Private clients benefit from:
- Dedicated relationship managers
- Expert guidance on custody solutions
- Access to exclusive educational content and webinars
- Very competitive pricing on large-volume trades
- Tax reporting support through a partnership with Blockpit
Relai Business
Small and medium-sized enterprises looking to add Bitcoin to their balance sheets can utilize Relai Business. This service provides companies with the tools and support needed to incorporate Bitcoin into their treasury strategy.
Features include:
- Minimum transaction amounts of 20,000 CHF/EUR
- Professional compliance support
- Expert guidance on corporate custody solutions
- Dedicated business relationship management
- Educational resources for decision-makers
Self-Custodial Wallet
Perhaps Relai’s most important feature is its integrated self-custody wallet. Unlike exchanges that hold your Bitcoin on your behalf, Relai ensures that you maintain complete control over your private keys from the moment of purchase.
When you create your wallet, you receive a 12-word recovery phrase that serves as your master key. This self-custody wallet approach means that only you can access your Bitcoin, not Relai, not hackers, and not government authorities. This fundamental principle aligns with Bitcoin’s core ethos: “Not your keys, not your coins.”
The Relai team also encourages users to transfer their Bitcoin to hardware wallets for long-term cold storage, providing maximum security for larger holdings.
Multiple Payment Methods
Relai supports a comprehensive range of payment options to accommodate different user preferences:
- Bank Transfers: Free of charge, and the most cost-effective option
- Credit/Debit Cards: Instant purchases with a 3% additional fee
- Apple Pay: Convenient mobile payments with a 1.5% additional fee
- Google Pay: Android-friendly instant payments with a 1.5% additional fee
This variety ensures that users can choose the payment method that best suits their needs, whether they prioritize cost-effectiveness or instant gratification.
Transparent Fees
Relai maintains a clear and competitive fee structure:
- 9% fees when using an invite code (10% discount)
- 0% standard fee without invite code
- Zero fees on monthly auto-invests up to 100 CHF/EUR
This transparent pricing model eliminates hidden fees and allows users to calculate their exact costs upfront. The zero-fee monthly purchases represent significant value, potentially saving users over 1,000 CHF/EUR in fees annually. Compared to other exchanges, Relai also has a small spread, but never as high as some of the bigger platforms.
Bitcoin-Backed Loans
Through its partnership with Sygnum Bank, Relai Private and Business clients can access Bitcoin-backed loans (Lombard loans). This innovative service allows Bitcoin holders to unlock liquidity without selling their Bitcoin, maintaining exposure to potential upside while accessing fiat currency for other investments or expenses.
Key features include:
- Loan-to-value (LTV) ratios up to 40%
- Minimum 12-month terms
- No taxable events (since Bitcoin isn’t sold)
- Available to qualified investors with CHF 500,000+ in financial assets
- Minimum deposit requirement of CHF 100,000
Pros & Cons
While we’ve explored Relai’s extensive feature set and capabilities throughout this review, it’s important to provide a balanced perspective on the platform’s strengths and limitations.
Here’s a breakdown of what works well and what potential users should consider before choosing Relai as their Bitcoin investment solution.
Pros:
- Bitcoin-Only Focus: Eliminates distractions and confusion from altcoin speculation
- Self-Custody Security: Users maintain complete control over their private keys
- Swiss Quality: Licensed financial service provider with strict regulatory oversight
- Zero-Fee Options: Free monthly purchases up to 100 CHF/EUR annually
- User-Friendly Design: Award-winning app with intuitive interface
- Multiple Services: Retail, Private, and Business solutions under one roof
- Payment Flexibility: Supports various payment methods for user convenience
- Bitcoin-Backed Loans: Innovative liquidity solutions through Sygnum partnership
- Educational Resources: Regular Bitcoin reports and educational content
Cons:
- Mobile-Only: No desktop trading interface (though one is being developed)
- Higher Fees for Cards: 3% additional fee for credit card payments
Relai vs. Other Bitcoin Apps in Switzerland: How Do They Compare?
Switzerland is a highly competitive landscape for crypto apps, exchanges, and services like Relai. To give you the best overview, we made the following table with a detailed breakdown of all platforms:
| Feature | Relai | SwissQuote | Bity | Traditional Banks |
| Self-Custody | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Bitcoin-Only | Yes | No | No | No |
| Zero Fees | Monthly 100 CHF/EUR | No | No | No |
| Auto-Invest | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swiss Licensed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Min. Investment | 50+ CHF/EUR | 100+ CHF | 50+ CHF | 100+ CHF |
| Payment Methods | Multiple | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| Education Content | Extensive | Limited | Limited | Limited |
Relai clearly leads in user experience, cost-effectiveness, and Bitcoin-focused features, while traditional financial institutions lag behind in innovation and self-custody options.
How Secure is the Relai App?
Security forms the foundation of Relai’s service offering, implemented through multiple layers of protection:
Regulatory Compliance: As a Swiss-licensed financial service provider and VQF member, Relai operates under some of the world’s strictest financial regulations. This regulatory framework ensures proper fund handling, customer protection, and operational transparency.
Self-Custody Architecture: The self-custody wallet design eliminates counterparty risk. Since Relai never holds user funds, the platform cannot be “hacked” in the traditional sense – users’ Bitcoin remains under their exclusive control at all times.
Swiss Banking Standards: Operating from Switzerland provides additional security through the country’s renowned privacy laws and stable political environment. Swiss financial infrastructure offers exceptional reliability and protection.
Technical Security: The app employs strong encryption protocols and secure communication channels. Regular security audits and updates ensure the platform remains protected against emerging threats.
Recovery Options: The 12-word recovery phrase system provides robust backup options, allowing users to restore their wallets even if their device is lost or damaged.
Who Is Relai Best Suited For?
Relai is an excellent choice for Bitcoin beginners thanks to its simplified interface and educational resources. The app’s Bitcoin-only focus removes the distractions and risks of altcoin speculation, while the integrated self-custody wallet helps new users learn the fundamentals of proper Bitcoin ownership from the start.
For long-term investors, Relai’s Bitcoin Savings Plan and zero-fee monthly purchases make it easy to adopt a disciplined dollar-cost averaging approach. This strategy allows users to build their Bitcoin holdings gradually, smoothing out market volatility over time.
High-net-worth individuals can take advantage of Relai Private, which offers tailored services for larger investments. These include personalized support, competitive over-the-counter trading, and the option to secure Bitcoin-backed loans without selling their holdings.
Small and medium-sized businesses looking to add Bitcoin to their balance sheet can benefit from Relai’s business-focused services. These provide the tools and compliance support needed to integrate Bitcoin into a corporate treasury strategy.
Verdict
Relai has emerged as Switzerland’s best Bitcoin app and one of Europe’s premier Bitcoin investment platforms. The platform successfully combines Swiss quality with Bitcoin innovation, delivering a user experience that satisfies both beginners and sophisticated investors.
Relai’s approach aligns perfectly with Bitcoin’s core principles while remaining accessible to mainstream users. The Bitcoin-only focus eliminates distractions and risks associated with altcoin speculation, allowing users to concentrate on accumulating the world’s premier digital asset.
Relai’s competitive advantages, zero-fee monthly purchases, award-winning user experience, regulatory compliance, and comprehensive service offerings create a compelling value proposition. The recent addition of Bitcoin-backed loans through the Sygnum Bank partnership demonstrates continued innovation in Bitcoin financial services.
For Swiss investors who are seeking a reliable, secure, and user-friendly way to invest in Bitcoin, Relai represents the gold standard. The platform’s commitment to Bitcoin-only investing, self-custody principles, and Swiss-made quality makes it an excellent choice for anyone serious about building long-term wealth through Bitcoin.
