Bitcoin.de vs Relai Comparison

Bitcoin.de is regarded as a pioneer among German crypto marketplaces and has been active since 2011, making the platform one of the oldest providers in the German-speaking market; it says it has more than 1.1 million customers. The principle that euro balances remain in the user’s own bank account is viewed positively by security-conscious users.

Trading has largely been suspended since 12 June 2026, and deposits are paused as well. On 6 October 2026 the parent company Bitcoin Group SE announced that BaFin had not granted the application futurum bank AG filed on 27 June 2025 for authorisation as a crypto-asset service provider under MiCAR; this also ends the toleration under which its crypto services had been running. The bank can lodge an objection within one month of notification. For the restart, bitcoin.de is preparing a cooperation with two regulated partners based in Germany, an institution acting as trading partner and a custodian; the provider has not given a date (customer notice dated 7 October 2026). Until the transfer, futurum bank AG continues to hold the crypto assets, and withdrawals to your own wallets remain possible.

The selection of just 10 cryptocurrencies is clearly room for improvement compared with modern exchanges. The limitation to SEPA as the only payment method, the lack of a mobile app, and 2FA protection only via SMS are also occasionally criticized. Some users consider the interface in need of modernization. According to the provider, the new platform with apps for iOS and Android, more than 100 cryptocurrencies, savings plans, swaps and staking is technically complete, but it will only launch with the new operating model.

As long as trading is paused, Bitcoin.de is not an option for new purchases; existing customers can withdraw their crypto assets to their own wallets. After the announced restart, the platform will mainly appeal to investors who want to rely on a long-established German provider; fees and coin selection under the new model have not yet been published.

Relai has established itself in the DACH region as one of the best-known Bitcoin-only apps and is especially appreciated by the Bitcoin community. The Swiss company follows a consistent self-custody approach: Bitcoin is held directly in the in-app wallet, and transfers to external wallets, including hardware wallets, are possible. Customers in the EU are served by Relai EU SASU, which has held a MiCA authorisation from the French financial markets authority AMF since 23 October 2025 and, according to the ESMA register, may operate in all 27 member states via the EU passport; in Switzerland, Relai AG is a member of the self-regulatory organisation VQF. Relai is therefore considered to be on solid regulatory footing.

The savings plan functionality is particularly valued, enabling automatic Bitcoin purchases with direct transfer to your own wallet or a hardware wallet. For investors who see Bitcoin as a long-term store of value and place importance on self-custody, Relai is regarded as one of the most accessible solutions. The fee is 1 % per purchase, or 0.9 % with an invite code; the first monthly auto-invest plan up to €100 remains fee-free. Paying by credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay adds 3.0 %.

Since only Bitcoin can be traded, Relai is not suitable for investors interested in altcoins, something occasionally criticized by some users. The minimum amount of 50 € and the setup of external wallet transfers are also seen as room for improvement. Relai is therefore especially suited to Bitcoin-focused investors who want to combine self-custody and automated saving with a regulated provider.