- Relai, the Swiss Bitcoin app with a self-custody wallet, announces a new funding round.
- In 2023, the start-up reports record growth of 300%, as well as 300,000 app downloads and an annual trading volume of over $180 million.
- The bitcoin-only startup plans to use this funding and expand its product offerings and marketing efforts in Switzerland.
Zurich, 09. January 2024 — In a move defying current venture capital (VC) market trends, Relai, the popular Bitcoin-only app from Switzerland, has successfully closed a funding round with renowned investors. This success comes at a time when the VC landscape is struggling with significant declines. The financing round underlines the Swiss start-up’s great market potential and innovative approach.
The funding round saw participation from prominent figures in the Swiss and European investment community, including Luzius Meisser, Bitcoin pioneer and co-founder of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland and Jan Brzezek, Founder & former CEO of Crypto Finance AG.
Other investors participating in the funding round were Jeff Booth’s Ego Death Capital, Timechain, Cabrit Capital, Lightning Ventures, and a large German Family Office. The bitcoin-only startup plans to expand its product offerings, boost its marketing efforts in Switzerland, and prepare for European expansion later this year and into 2025 with the goal of getting the MiCA license to offer the services to everyone in Europe.
Julian Liniger, CEO of Relai stated:
“Despite the current downturn in the venture capital market, we are very pleased to have secured this smart money financing round from such reputable investors. Their confidence in Relai underlines the strength of our product and our team. This interim success motivates us to continue our long-term mission to bring Bitcoin to 100 million Europeans.”
In addition to the new funding round, the firm is also proud to announce that Richard Byworth, Partner at Syz Capital and former top executive at Nomura, has joined the Board of Directors. He will use his more than 20 years of experience in the financial and banking sector to support Relai’s European expansion and further fundraising activities.
About Relai
The Zurich-based startup was founded by Julian Liniger and Adem Bilican in 2020. This Bitcoin-only app is designed to be simple and intuitive, allowing anyone to buy and sell Bitcoin within minutes, with no registration, verification, or deposit required.
Independently audited and with a trading volume of over $250 million, the app is serving the next generation of long-term investors by giving them a simple, user-friendly, and secure way to save Bitcoin. In August 2022, Relai was named one of the top startups to watch by Sifted, and in September 2023, it was listed as one of the top 100 Swiss startups. Learn more at relai.app.
Press Contacts
Joël Kai Lenz, PR Manager — Email: joel@relai.app
Imo Babics, Chief Marketing Officer — Email: imo@relai.app
