Bitcoin Updates Today: Relai Secures MiCA License: Connecting Bitcoin’s Decentralized Nature with European Union Regulatory Standards

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app Relai has emerged as one of the earliest crypto platforms to obtain a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license within the European Union’s regulatory system, paving the way for it to broaden its regulated Bitcoin offerings throughout Europe. The French financial authority, Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), issued the license to Relai, allowing the Zurich-based company to function as a crypto-asset service provider (CASP) in both France and the wider European Economic Area (EEA), according to . This achievement represents a major milestone in the EU’s initiative to unify crypto regulations and enhance institutional trust in digital assets, as highlighted by .

With the MiCA license, Relai is now authorized to provide services such as SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) transactions, increased euro trading thresholds, and self-custody solutions for Bitcoin, which aligns with its goal of offering secure, user-managed access to the cryptocurrency, as noted by coinotag. Thanks to the EU’s passporting provisions, Relai can now make its services available in all 27 EU countries without dealing with separate national regulations, a benefit also mentioned by financefeeds. The app, which secured $12 million in Series A funding at the end of 2024, has already surpassed 500,000 downloads and reached $1 billion in trading activity, according to

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Relai’s self-custody approach, which lets users maintain control over their private keys, sets it apart from conventional custodial exchanges. This model is in line with Bitcoin’s decentralized philosophy and addresses increasing worries about the security risks of centralized exchanges, as described in coinotag’s report. The MiCA license also allows Relai to introduce features such as automated investment plans and greater pricing transparency, according to

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This approval comes as more crypto companies seek MiCA compliance. Blockchain.com, for example, recently obtained a similar license in Malta, as reported by coinotag, while Coinbase and Bitstamp have also navigated the MiCA regulatory landscape. For Relai, the license strengthens its commitment to focusing solely on Bitcoin, simplifying its operations compared to platforms that support multiple assets, as noted by financefeeds.

Julian Liniger, co-founder and CEO of Relai, commented on the achievement: “We’re extremely proud to be among the first Bitcoin firms to receive the MiCA license and look forward to launching in France first, followed by the rest of Europe,” he stated, according to coinotag. Adem Bilican, Relai EU co-founder, described the license as a “major breakthrough for the entire Bitcoin sector,” emphasizing the company’s mission to make Bitcoin accessible to everyone, as reported by coinotag.

The timing of Relai’s approval is significant. MiCA, which took effect in 2024, is designed to create consistent crypto regulations across the EU and protect consumers, as explained by coinotag. By achieving compliance ahead of many competitors, Relai secures a strategic advantage in a market where regulatory certainty is vital for expansion, a point highlighted by financefeeds. Experts believe that MiCA’s rollout could encourage traditional financial institutions to enter the crypto space, further establishing Bitcoin as a legitimate investment, according to coinotag.

Relai’s growth strategy includes launching localized educational resources, organizing Bitcoin events throughout Europe, and strengthening its security protocols, as detailed in a Morningstar report. The company also revealed the creation of an advisory board made up of industry experts to help steer its development, per Morningstar. With the MiCA license secured, Relai is well-positioned to meet the rising demand for regulated crypto services, especially as institutional interest in Bitcoin continues to grow.