Relai
Bitcoin app where you hold your own keys, with Relai EU registered as a MiCA CASP with the AMF and a 1% fee
Quick Overview
| Company | Relai EU SASU |
|---|---|
| Category | Crypto Exchanges |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - France (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages we read |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Self-custody wallet (user holds keys) |
| Main Features | Bitcoin purchase and sale, self-custody wallet with 12-word recovery phrase, savings plans, invite discount |
| Pricing | 1% on buying and selling, 0.9% with an invite code (home page FAQ, 28 Oct 2026) |
| Best For | People who want to own Bitcoin keys instead of leaving coins on an exchange |
| Replaces | Coinbase |
Detailed Review
Relai is built around self-custody: the Bitcoin you buy goes to a wallet where only you hold the 12-word recovery phrase, so the company does not hold your coins.
The legal notice names Relai EU SASU in Paris (RCS 934 814 062, share capital EUR 3,501,000) under AMF supervision, and the home page adds Relai AG in Switzerland as a member of the VQF self-regulatory organisation.
Self-custody by design
Because the keys stay with the user, an insolvency of the operator does not freeze a custodied balance. The cost is that losing the recovery phrase means losing the coins, and the app cannot reset it.
Fee in one number
The home page FAQ says you pay 1% when you buy or sell, or 0.9% with an invite code, and that you see the full price before confirming.
Two entities
Relai EU handles the EU side under MiCA registration with the AMF, and Relai AG the Swiss side. Switzerland counts as eligible on this site, but read which one contracts with you.
Limitations to Consider
A flat 1% is higher than the explicit 0.15% to 0.25% fees on exchanges such as Finst or Bitvavo. The pages we read focus on Bitcoin, so there is no broad altcoin list. Self-custody puts the backup burden on you, and we did not read the terms to confirm which entity contracts with each country.
Who Should Use Relai
Long-term Bitcoin holders who accept key management responsibility in return for not leaving funds with a custodian.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Self-custody wallet
- Single published fee of 1%
- MiCA CASP registration with the AMF stated
- Swiss entity with VQF membership
- Simple buy flow
Cons
- 1% fee is high next to exchanges
- Bitcoin focus
- You carry the key backup risk
- Contracting entity per country not confirmed
Alternatives to Relai
Other European crypto exchanges worth comparing before you decide:
Bitvavo
Netherlands · Euro exchange with 400+ assets and tiered fees
Finst
Netherlands · Flat 0.15% fee per trade with no added spread
Bitpanda
Austria · Crypto, stocks, ETFs and metals in one app
Coinfinity
Austria · Bitcoin platform with savings plans and Lightning
See all European crypto exchanges or compare them directly against Coinbase on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The home page says the Bitcoin goes straight into your own possession and that you manage your own private keys.
1% when you buy or sell, or 0.9% with an invite code, per the home page FAQ.
The home page says Relai EU is registered as a CASP under MiCA with the French AMF.