Relai Secures MiCA License in France for Bitcoin Expansion

Switzerland-based Relai, which operates exclusively as a Bitcoin investment application, has secured formal regulatory approval under the European Union’s landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework. The license was granted by France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), the country’s primary financial markets regulator, according to official records confirmed on Thursday. This development represents a significant achievement for the Bitcoin-only service provider, making Relai one of the first companies with an exclusive Bitcoin focus to receive MiCA authorization within the European Union’s regulatory perimeter.

The MiCA license approval marks a crucial validation for Relai’s business model, which centers on providing accessible Bitcoin investment services while maintaining full regulatory compliance. As a crypto asset service provider (CASP), Relai’s authorization demonstrates that specialized Bitcoin platforms can successfully navigate the EU’s comprehensive regulatory requirements. This regulatory milestone comes at a pivotal moment for cryptocurrency regulation in Europe, as MiCA establishes harmonized rules across member states for crypto asset service providers operating within the bloc.

With the MiCA license secured through French regulators, Relai has established its initial beachhead for European expansion, beginning with immediate market entry into France. The company’s strategic approach leverages France’s regulatory approval as a springboard for broader European operations under MiCA’s passporting provisions, which allow authorized firms to offer services across all EU member states. This phased expansion strategy reflects careful planning to maximize regulatory efficiency while ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Relai CEO and co-founder Julian Liniger expressed significant enthusiasm about the development, stating in an official communication that the company is “incredibly proud to be one of the first Bitcoin companies to get the MiCA license and are eager to expand to France first and Europe in a second step.” This statement underscores the company’s deliberate approach to European market penetration, beginning with targeted entry into the French market before scaling operations continent-wide. The expansion aligns with Relai’s core mission to “bring Bitcoin to as many people as possible” through regulated, accessible investment platforms.

Relai’s successful MiCA authorization represents more than just a corporate achievement—it signals a maturation of Bitcoin’s integration into mainstream European finance. As a Bitcoin-only platform receiving regulatory approval, Relai demonstrates that specialized cryptocurrency services can meet the stringent requirements of comprehensive financial regulation. This development potentially paves the way for other Bitcoin-focused companies to pursue similar regulatory pathways, potentially increasing consumer access to regulated Bitcoin investment options across Europe.

The timing of Relai’s approval coincides with the broader implementation of MiCA across the European Union, establishing a standardized regulatory framework for crypto asset services. For European consumers, this regulatory clarity combined with authorized service providers like Relai offers increased protection and legitimacy when accessing Bitcoin investment products. The company’s exclusive focus on Bitcoin, rather than diversified cryptocurrency offerings, represents a specialized approach that has now gained formal regulatory recognition, potentially influencing how other single-asset crypto platforms approach compliance and market expansion.

As Relai prepares to launch services in France and subsequently across Europe, its regulatory-approved status provides a competitive advantage in attracting consumers seeking compliant Bitcoin exposure. The company’s Swiss origins combined with EU regulatory approval create a compelling narrative of cross-border financial innovation meeting established regulatory standards. This development may encourage further integration between traditional financial oversight and cryptocurrency services, potentially accelerating Bitcoin’s adoption among mainstream European investors through trusted, regulated channels.