Relai Review: Is it the Best App to Buy Bitcoin in Europe?

Buying bitcoin in Europe has become easier over the years, but not necessarily simpler. Many apps bundle bitcoin alongside hundreds of other assets, introduce custodial risk, or overwhelm users with trading features that long-term investors do not need. 

Relai takes a different approach. Built as a Bitcoin-only app with self-custody at its core, Relai focuses on one thing: helping European users accumulate bitcoin securely and consistently. 

In this review, we look at how Relai works, what sets it apart from other crypto apps, and whether it deserves its reputation as one of the best ways to buy bitcoin in Europe.

TL;DR

• Relai is a Swiss-based, Bitcoin-only app designed for European users.
• The app offers built-in self-custody, which means users control their bitcoin from day one.
• Relai is optimized for long-term accumulation through automated bitcoin savings plans. 
• It supports bank transfers, cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. 
• Best suited for beginners and long-term bitcoin savers who prioritize simplicity and security.

What Is Relai?

Relai is a market-leading bitcoin app that allows users to buy and hold BTC with a strong emphasis on simplicity, security, and self-custody. 

Founded in Switzerland, the company was built around the idea that owning bitcoin should not require navigating complex exchanges, trading interfaces, or custodial risk. Unlike most crypto platforms, Relai is Bitcoin-only. 

The app doesn’t support altcoins, tokens, or derivatives. This narrow focus allows Relai to streamline the user experience and design its product specifically for long-term bitcoin ownership rather than short-term trading. 

One of Relai’s defining characteristics is its self-custodial setup. When users create an account, they generate their own recovery phrase and retain full control over their private keys. Bitcoin purchased through the app is sent directly to the user’s wallet, not held by Relai. This significantly reduces counterparty risk compared to custodial exchanges. 

Relai operates under Swiss financial regulations and complies with European regulatory standards via its MiCA license, giving it a strong compliance foundation while still prioritizing user sovereignty. 

Today, the app serves over 100,000 users across multiple European countries and has become especially popular among individuals who want a straightforward way to build a long-term bitcoin position without relying on centralized custody.

Why Bitcoin-Only?

The decision by Relai to be a Bitcoin-only platform is one of its biggest competitive advantages. It makes it simple to use, especially for those who prefer to focus on Bitcoin. 

Relai’s Bitcoin-only focus also aligns with the growing recognition of bitcoin as a unique asset class by institutions. The platform is designed to offer a clean and less noisy environment for strategies like dollar cost averaging. 

Relai’s Key Features

Besides focusing on only Bitcoin and self-custody, Relai has several other features, and the most notable include:

• Self-custody wallet: Relai enables you to self-custody through an integrated non-custodial wallet.
• Bitcoin savings plan: As a user, you can set up automated, recurring purchases as part of a disciplined Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) strategy.
• Flexible payment methods: Relai accepts several payment methods, including traditional bank transfers, credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.
• Support for high-volume investors: Relai has an Over-the-Counter (OTC) trading desk for individuals and businesses transacting in large amounts.

Is Relai Safe?

Safety is one of the most important considerations when choosing a platform for digital assets like bitcoin. Relai has built its entire infrastructure around giving users high-level security for their assets. 

The primary security feature of Relai is allowing users to self-custody their bitcoin. Because the app never holds your bitcoin, it significantly reduces the risk of hacks and other forms of attacks.  Your funds are protected by a recovery phrase known only to you, giving you absolute control.

Beyond the technical architecture, Relai operates within a strong regulatory compliance framework. As a Swiss-based financial service provider with the European MiCa license, it follows some of the most rigorous Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) rules globally.

Pros & Cons

The following are the most notable pros and cons of Relai as a platform for accumulating bitcoin:

Pros

•  Exceptional simplicity
•  True self-custody
•  Cost-effective DCA
•  Bitcoin-only focus

Cons

• Mobile-only platform
• Limited asset choice

Who’s Relai For?

First and foremost, it is the ideal app for Bitcoin beginners. You can buy bitcoin fast and cheap with Relai, even if you are very new to it. The simplified interface removes the technical barriers that often discourage new entrants. 

Second, it is perfect for long-term accumulators and savers. The bitcoin savings plan option for small recurring purchases makes it the best tool for implementing a disciplined dollar-cost-averaging (DCA) strategy over the years, turning regular savings into bitcoin. 

Third, security-conscious investors who prioritize self-custody over everything else will appreciate that the app never holds their bitcoin. 

Finally, through Relai Private and Relai Business, the app also caters to high-net-worth individuals and businesses in Europe looking for an easy way to add bitcoin to their portfolios.

Final Verdict: Is Relai the Best App to Buy Bitcoin?

A combination of features makes Relai arguably the best app to buy bitcoin in Europe. That is especially for users who prioritize security, simplicity, and long-term accumulation. The app successfully bridges the gap between the technical requirements of secure bitcoin ownership and the need for user-friendliness. 

For anyone in Europe focused exclusively on accumulating the world’s oldest and most secure crypto in a simple and automated manner, Relai delivers an experience that is hard to match.