Relai

Relai AG is a financial software company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, that provides a simplified gateway to Bitcoin investment. The firm was founded in 2020 by Julian Liniger and Adem Bilican, who were motivated by their own frustrations with the complex and insecure process of purchasing Bitcoin. Liniger, with a background in business administration and psychology, teamed up with Bilican, a software developer with a PhD in bioinformatics, to create a solution. Their journey began at a hackathon in Zurich, leading to the official app launch on July 3, 2020.

The company operates a Bitcoin-only investment application designed for ease of use, enabling individuals to buy and sell Bitcoin within minutes. Relai's business model is centered on charging transaction fees for buying and selling the cryptocurrency. The platform's primary product is its mobile app, which features a non-custodial wallet, meaning users retain full control over their private keys and, consequently, their assets. This self-custody approach is a core element of its value proposition, offering users enhanced security and financial sovereignty. The app facilitates transactions through various payment methods, including bank transfers, credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. It also promotes long-term investment strategies through features like automated recurring purchases, known as dollar-cost averaging (DCA).

Relai targets a broad market, from newcomers and millennials to seasoned investors, and has expanded its services to include specialized segments. Relai Private caters to high-net-worth individuals trading amounts over 100,000 EUR/CHF, while Relai Business serves small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to incorporate Bitcoin into their corporate balance sheets. Since its inception, the company has demonstrated significant growth, raising a total of $24.4 million over several funding rounds. A notable Series A round in December 2024 raised $12 million, bringing the company's valuation to $72 million. The company has processed over $850 million in trading volume and is pursuing a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license to expand its operations across the European Union.

Keywords: Bitcoin investment, self-custodial wallet, cryptocurrency app, dollar-cost averaging, Swiss fintech, buy Bitcoin, Relai AG, Julian Liniger, Adem Bilican, European crypto platform, Bitcoin savings plan, non-custodial crypto, financial software, fintech startup, mobile investing, high-net-worth crypto, SME crypto assets, Bitcoin trading, MiCA license, crypto security