Relai MiCA License: Swiss Bitcoin App Approved in France

Background: Relai Acquires MiCA License

Swiss-based Bitcoin platform Relai has gained regulatory approval in the European Union after receiving a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) license from France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF). The license was officially granted on Thursday, according to regulatory filings. Relai, established in Zurich in 2020, operates as a Bitcoin-only investment application, enabling users to buy, sell, and save Bitcoin (BTC) while maintaining self-custody of their digital assets.

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Impact of the Relai MiCA License

With the MiCA license, Relai becomes one of the first Bitcoin-focused companies authorized to provide regulated crypto asset services under the EU’s new framework. This regulatory milestone allows Relai to expand the range of Bitcoin investment services available through its app and support SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) payments across EU member states. It also gives Relai the capacity to offer increased trading limits against euros, further integrating its business into the European financial infrastructure.

“We’re incredibly proud to be one of the first Bitcoin companies to get the MiCA license,” said Julian Liniger, CEO and co-founder of Relai, in a statement shared with Cointelegraph. “We are eager to expand to France first and Europe in a second step.”

Relai Co-founders — Relai co-founders, Julian Liniger (left) and Adem Bilican.

Relai’s co-founder of EU operations, Adem Bilican, added that the platform’s aim is “bringing Bitcoin to as many people as possible. Simple, secure, regulated.” The license is seen both as a significant development for Relai and as a key advancement for the broader Bitcoin sector in Europe.

Recent Developments and Market Context

The approval of Relai’s MiCA license follows earlier plans announced in late 2024, after the firm raised $12 million in a Series A funding round led by Ego Death Capital. Additional backers included Plan B Bitcoin Fund, Timechain, and Solit Group. The MiCA regulatory regime was designed by the EU to standardize and clarify the legal status of crypto asset service providers, aiming to foster consumer protection and market integrity.

The license for Relai was granted one day after Blockchain.com, another major crypto platform, reported it had received its own MiCA license from the Maltese Financial Services Authority. These developments signal increased regulatory activity and compliance efforts among leading crypto firms in Europe.

What’s Next for Relai and the EU Crypto Market

Relai’s initial focus will be on expanding operations in France, with plans to roll out its regulated services to the wider European market. The company’s Bitcoin-only model and emphasis on self-custody remain central to its strategy to attract users seeking security and regulatory clarity for their digital assets.

Market observers note that the granting of MiCA licenses to firms like Relai may encourage greater institutional participation and user engagement in the European crypto sector. As more platforms comply with MiCA regulations, the landscape for crypto asset services across the EU is expected to further evolve.

For ongoing updates on regulatory moves and Bitcoin market news, visit Vizi’s cryptocurrency section.