Loading organizations...
Loading organizations...
Relai develops a mobile application that enables individuals to buy and sell Bitcoin easily and securely. The platform emphasizes simplicity and intuition, allowing users to conduct transactions within minutes without requiring extensive verification processes typical of many crypto exchanges. Uniquely, Relai promotes financial autonomy by providing a self-custodial wallet, ensuring users retain direct control over their digital assets rather than the company holding funds.
Julian Liniger and Adem Bilican co-founded Relai in Zurich in 2020, after initially developing the concept at an F10 hackathon in 2019. Their founding insight stemmed from a conviction that Bitcoin represents a superior method for long-term savings. The co-founders aimed to democratize access to this asset by eliminating common barriers, thereby creating a user-friendly entry point for new investors.
Relai primarily serves a growing demographic of retail investors across Europe who seek direct, secure, and uncomplicated access to Bitcoin. The company's vision centers on fostering a new generation of long-term savers by simplifying the adoption of Bitcoin, empowering users to manage their financial future independently. Relai continues to expand its reach while adhering to its core principle of user-controlled assets.
Relai has raised $24.5M across 5 funding rounds.
Relai has raised $24.5M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Relai has raised $24.5M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Relai's investors include Ego Death Capital, Jeff Booth, Harald Nieder, Creandum, Earlybird Venture Capital, Founders Fund, Redalpine Venture Partners, Valar Ventures, Robert Gentz, Rubin Ritter.
Relai is a Zurich-based fintech startup founded in 2020 that offers a simple, intuitive mobile app for buying and selling Bitcoin directly to users' own self-custodial wallets, without the company holding customer funds.[1][3] It targets everyday users in Europe seeking hassle-free Bitcoin access, solving the problem of complex, custodial crypto platforms by emphasizing speed, low fees, and true ownership.[1][3] The app has shown strong growth, surpassing 1 billion USD in total trading volume and 500,000 downloads by 2025, while securing a MiCA license from the French AMF—one of the first for Bitcoin companies—and raising funds including a 4.5 million USD round in 2023.[1]
Relai was co-founded in 2019 by Julian Liniger and Adem Bilican, who met at the F10 hackathon in Zurich to develop a straightforward Bitcoin app amid growing interest in self-sovereign crypto tools.[1] After intense development, the app launched in 2020, achieving CHF 2 million in trading volume that year.[1] Key milestones include a CHF 2.5 million Series A in 2021 (with Relai 2.0 launch), addition of instant payments like Apple Pay in 2022, a USD 4.5 million raise and zero-fee trading in 2023, 400,000 downloads and "Best Crypto Startup" award in 2024, and explosive 2025 growth.[1]
(Note: References to unrelated entities like supply chain [2], AI platforms [4], or IT services [5] appear to describe distinct companies sharing the name.)
Relai rides the wave of Bitcoin adoption and EU regulatory clarity under MiCA, which standardizes crypto rules and favors compliant, user-centric apps amid institutional inflows and retail curiosity.[1] Its timing aligns with post-2020 crypto maturation, where self-custody demands surged due to exchange failures like FTX, positioning Relai as a safe European gateway in a market projected for Bitcoin ETF-driven growth.[1][3] By prioritizing non-custodial access, it influences the ecosystem toward decentralization, empowering users and competing with global giants while boosting Switzerland's fintech hub status.[1]
Relai's trajectory points to European dominance in retail Bitcoin on-ramps, with potential expansion via its MiCA license, business tools, and further funding to hit multi-million users.[1] Trends like nation-state Bitcoin reserves, clearer regs, and mobile-first finance will accelerate its path, possibly evolving into a full-stack self-sovereign wallet suite. As a simple entry to financial sovereignty, Relai exemplifies how intuitive design unlocks Bitcoin's mass potential.[1]
Relai has raised $24.5M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Series A in December 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 2024 | $12.0M Series A | Ego Death Capital | |
| Mar 7, 2023 | $4.5M Other Equity | Jeff Booth | |
| May 25, 2022 | $2.3M Other Equity | Harald Nieder | |
| Jun 24, 2021 | $2.7M Series A | ||
| Jun 1, 2021 | $3.0M Seed | Creandum, Earlybird Venture Capital, Founders Fund, Redalpine Venture Partners, Valar Ventures, Robert Gentz, Rubin Ritter |
