Gate.io vs Relai Comparison
In our overall rating Relai leads with 4.2 out of 5 points, ahead of Gate.io with 3.7. Our table lists the trading fee as “0.1% spot (maker and taker)” for Gate.io and “1 %” for Relai. If you care most about features, fees, and stability, Gate.io has the better sub-scores, while Relai leads on usability and support.
| 0.1% spot (maker and taker) | Fees | 1 % |
| — | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 10.00 |
| — | Cryptos | 1 |
| — | Payment Methods | Instant SEPA transfer, credit and debit card (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| MiCA licence via MFSA (Malta) | Regulation | MiCA licence (CASP) from the French AMF since 23 Oct 2025 (no. A2025-006), passported across the EU incl. Germany, Austria and Spain. Switzerland: Relai AG is a member of the SRO VQF |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, calculated from the disclosed trading fee. A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| — | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 10.00 |
| 0.1% spot (maker and taker) | Fees | 1 % |
| — | Wallet transfer | € 0 (Bitcoin network fee only, variable) |
| — | Cost transparency | Yes |
| ~$10 USD | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| — | Payment Methods | Instant SEPA transfer, credit and debit card (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Pros & Cons
- MiCA authorisation as a crypto-asset service provider from Malta's MFSA since 29 September 2025, passported across the EEA, plus a licence for payment services
- Gate EU with localised sites: more than 200 cryptocurrencies, each tradable against the euro and USDC
- Spot fee of 0.1% for makers and takers, makers pay 0% from VIP 10
- Convert, OTC trading, staking and the Gate Card alongside spot trading
- A much smaller selection for EU customers than on the global platform, which according to Gate lists more than 5,400 cryptocurrencies
- No futures trading on Gate EU
- No USDT pairs, no GT token and no GT fee discount on Gate EU
- Migration required: existing EEA customers of the global platform are being moved to Gate EU step by step
- Self-custody wallet directly in the app, Bitcoin is held in your own wallet
- Savings plan for weekly or monthly Bitcoin purchases; the first monthly auto-invest plan up to €100 is fee-free
- Wallet transfer to your own and external wallets (incl. hardware wallets) possible
- MiCA authorisation from France’s AMF for Relai EU SASU since 23 October 2025, with an EU passport for all 27 member states; in Switzerland a member of the self-regulatory organisation VQF
- Deposits via SEPA bank transfer (including instant transfer), credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Only Bitcoin tradable, altcoin selection occasionally criticized by users
- Fee of 1 % per purchase, 0.9 % with an invite code; credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay cost an extra 3.0 %
- Minimum amount of 50 € is room for improvement compared with other providers
- Setup of external wallet transfers, according to users, is room for improvement
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisAccording to the analyzed user data, Relai is frequently praised by users for its intuitive and clear app. At the same time, users occasionally report hurdles with support, verification, and individual app launches, so the overall experience varies depending on the usage situation.
Provider details (fees, licences, pros and cons) editorially reviewed: November 2026. Investing in crypto assets carries a high level of risk, up to and including total loss of capital. This is not investment advice. Figures without guarantee, check current conditions with the provider.
Features
| not specified | Savings plan | available |
| not specified | Staking | not available |
| not specified | Wallet transfer | available |
| not specified | Self-custody wallet | available |
| not specified | Credit card payment | available |
| not specified | VASP license (Switzerland) | available |
| not specified | Web platform | not available |
| not specified | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | available |
| not specified | Hardware wallet support | available |
- MiCA and PSD2 licensed through Gate Technology Ltd in Malta
- Gate EU with more than 200 cryptocurrencies against the euro and USDC
- Bitcoin-only approach with self-custody directly in the app
- Savings plan with automatic transfer to your own wallet or hardware wallet
- Swiss company with a MiCA authorisation from France’s AMF for EU customers
- Relai Private from 100,000 CHF/EUR and Relai Business for companies
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
Spot on Gate EU: 0.1% for makers and takers (VIP 0). The fee falls step by step with your 30-day volume or account balance, and makers pay 0% from VIP 10. Gate EU does not offer futures (as of 1 November 2026).
When it comes to fees and costs, the user data paints a mixed picture. Some users describe Relai as cost-effective, while others rate the fees as high. Overall, opinions on the costs differ clearly.
Usability & User Experience
Not enough reviews available.
Users particularly appreciate Relai’s intuitive app, which in many reviews is described as clear and easy to use. According to reviews, getting started also works without much prior knowledge, which stands out positively, especially in everyday use. Occasionally, however, users report that the app does not open directly.
Features & Offering
Not enough reviews available.
In the analyzed user reviews, some users would like dark mode, automatic orders, tax documents, or a settlement account. In addition, precautionary transfers, coins on the homepage, and more coins are mentioned. Overall, the feedback on features mainly relates to such additional requests.
Stability & Security
Not enough reviews available.
Regarding stability and reliability, individual reviews report that the app does not start, cannot be opened, or crashes. Overall, this area is occasionally criticized by users.
Customer Support
Not enough reviews available.
According to reviews, the sentiment around support is rather critical. While competent service is mentioned occasionally, users also criticize in some cases that support is not reachable or that responses take a long time. Overall, users report mixed experiences with support.
Details
| Gate Technology Ltd | Company | Relai AG (CH) / Relai EU SASU (EU) |
| — | Headquarters | & |
| 2013 | Founded | 2020 |
| MiCA licence via MFSA (Malta) | Regulation | MiCA licence (CASP) from the French AMF since 23 Oct 2025 (no. A2025-006), passported across the EU incl. Germany, Austria and Spain. Switzerland: Relai AG is a member of the SRO VQF |
| ~$10 USD | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| Photo ID and selfie (required before deposits and withdrawals) | KYC | ID card or passport (with MRZ), NFC chip scan, selfie |
Verdict
In our overall rating Relai leads with 4.2 against 3.7 for Gate.io.
For most investors Relai is therefore the better choice.
Gate, known as Gate.io until May 2025, is one of the exchanges with the widest altcoin selection worldwide: according to Gate, more than 5,400 cryptocurrencies can be traded on its global platform. Customers in the EEA are served through Gate EU, run by Gate Technology Ltd in Malta. Malta's regulator MFSA authorised the company as a crypto-asset service provider under MiCA on 29 September 2025; the authorisation is passported across the EEA, and the company also holds a licence for payment services. Since the end of June 2026, Gate has been moving existing EEA customers from the global platform to Gate EU step by step.
Gate EU is leaner than the global exchange: on 1 November 2026 it listed more than 200 cryptocurrencies, each against the euro and USDC. It also offers convert, OTC trading, staking and the Gate Card; futures, USDT pairs and the in-house GT token are not part of the offering. The spot fee is 0.1% for makers and takers and falls with trading volume, with makers paying nothing from VIP 10.
Our verdict: for experienced altcoin traders in Europe, Gate EU is a regulated option with a broad selection and a low spot fee. It is not designed for futures trading.
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.