Is Relai App Legit ?

Relai is legitimate. It’s a real company backed by regulatory licenses, a significant user base, and thousands of public reviews. It’s not a scam platform trying to disappear with user funds. What it is, is a relatively simple and honest way to buy Bitcoin.

Relai is a Bitcoin-only investing app developed by a Swiss company founded in Zurich in 2020 by Julian Liniger and Adem Bilican. It’s designed to be an easy way for people — even beginners — to buy Bitcoin directly on their phones without needing to deal with a complicated exchange interface.

According to the company, Relai has processed over $1 billion in trading volume and is licensed as a financial services provider. In 2025, Relai even acquired a MiCA license in France, allowing it to offer regulated crypto services across the EU under the European crypto-assets framework.

The core idea is simplicity: open the app, link a bank card or account, and buy Bitcoin with just a few taps. Relai uses a self-custody model, meaning you control your Bitcoin private keys — the app does not hold your coins for you. In theory, that’s a big plus for security and aligns with the motto “not your keys, not your Bitcoin.”

Read my full review on Relai App

Hands-On Experience: What the App Feels Like

When I installed Relai and set up an account, the onboarding was straightforward. The app walks you through connecting a payment method and setting up purchases in a way that feels less intimidating than bigger exchanges. The interface is minimalist but clean, and the whole process reminded me more of a budgeting app than a full-blown crypto exchange.

I opted to buy Bitcoin via a bank transfer. It took a few minutes to link my account, and then initiating a purchase was as easy as picking an amount and tapping “Buy.”

Funds left my account, and within a short while the Bitcoin appeared in my wallet — though sometimes a bit slower than advertised. This matches what other users have noted: simplicity is a strength, but execution can lag at peak times.

Using Relai’s auto-invest feature (where you set up recurring purchases) felt genuinely helpful for someone who wants to accumulate Bitcoin over time without manual intervention. For HODLers or long-term buyers, this feels like a standout feature.

Real User Feedback: Legit or Not?

Looking at user reviews across platforms, there’s a mix of praise and criticism — but not the chaos usually associated with scams.

On Trustpilot, Relai holds a 4.2 out of 5 score with over 1,200 reviews, and 75% of those are 5-star ratings. Many users describe it as intuitive, reliable, and great for beginners. Others praise the security and simplicity of the experience.

But there are negative reviews too. Some people have complained about slow support, unclear fees, and occasional technical glitches. A portion of users report account access frustrations or verification hurdles. It’s notable that 14% of reviewers gave a 1-star rating, which isn’t trivial. Complaints tend to cluster around customer service issues or misunderstandings about fees, rather than outright fraud.

This pattern — mostly positive with some frustrated users — is exactly what you’d expect from a legitimate but imperfect financial service, not a scam.

Fees: Clear as Mud?

One consistent point of feedback from users concerns fees. Relai advertises a 1 % fee, but several customers have pointed out that additional costs can make the effective fee higher — including spreads and network fees. Some felt this wasn’t clearly laid out up front.

From my own testing, the price I paid on the app wasn’t exactly the same as the market price shown on external BTC price indexes, which is typical for most crypto platforms (they earn via spread). So if fees matter most to you, make sure you understand the breakdown before executing a trade.

Regulation and Licensing — A Big Symbol of Legitimacy

A major boost to Relai’s credibility comes from its MiCA license from French regulators, as well as its status as a licensed Swiss financial service provider.

These aren’t trivial achievements — they signal that the company has met regulatory standards around anti-money-laundering (AML), consumer protections, and operational transparency.

You won’t see this level of oversight from fly-by-night crypto apps. Regulation isn’t a perfect guarantee of safety (no investment is), but it’s a strong sign that Relai is playing in the legitimate financial sandbox.

Security: Self-Custody Is Empowering but You’re Responsible

Because Relai gives you your own wallet and keys, the security model shifts. You aren’t trusting Relai with your Bitcoin — instead, you’re trusting your own device and backups. That’s exactly how Bitcoin was meant to work, but it also means if you lose your seed phrase, no one can recover your funds.

From my experience, the wallet setup was clear, and the app encouraged secure backups. If you’re new to crypto, this might feel like extra responsibility — but for seasoned Bitcoin holders, it’s actually reassuring.

Scam Detector Score? A Mixed Signal

Interestingly, one online reviewer site (Scam Detector) rated Relai with a medium trust score, flagging some potential risks like phishing and spam risk based on automated analysis.

It’s worth noting that these systems err on the side of caution and don’t reflect regulatory licensing or real user history. Still, you should always be alert about phishing emails or fake apps claiming to be Relai.

Final Verdict — Is Relai App Legit?

After extensive use and research, here’s my honest take:

Relai is legitimate. It’s a real company backed by regulatory licenses, a significant user base, and thousands of public reviews. It’s not a scam platform trying to disappear with user funds. What it is, is a relatively simple and honest way to buy Bitcoin.

But “legit” doesn’t mean perfect. There are real user complaints around fees, interface quirks, and support issues. And because crypto markets themselves are volatile and risky, no app can make Bitcoin investing risk-free.

If you value simplicity, self-custody, and regulated access, Relai is worth considering. If you prioritize advanced trading tools, tight spreads, or ultra-responsive support, other platforms might fit you better.

Is it for everyone? No. But for many people — especially beginners — Relai is definitely a legitimate and usable option to buy Bitcoin with confidence.