Relai vs Strike

Relai and Strike both operate in the exchange and brokerage space, but they take fundamentally different approaches to how your bitcoin is held. The scores are close — Relai at 78/100 (B+) and Strike at 74/100 (B). When the gap is this narrow, the details matter: custody model, single points of failure, and the fine print on fees.

Where Each Platform Wins

Custody and security — the most heavily weighted category in our methodology at 35% — tilts 17 points toward Relai (82 vs. 65). Relai eliminates single points of failure in its custody architecture, while Strike relies on a model where one compromised entity could put your bitcoin at risk. On fees, Strike wins by 15 points. Strike charges ~0.3% spread compared to 1% - 1.5% at Relai. Over a multi-year holding period, fee differences compound — a point worth considering for long-term accumulators.

The Custody Question

Here's the key difference: Relai has no single point of failure (Non-Custodial), while Strike does (Single Custodian). This matters because a single-point-of-failure model means one compromised entity — whether through a hack, insolvency, or government action — could result in total loss of funds. History has proven this risk is not theoretical. FTX, Celsius, and BlockFi all represented single points of failure for their users.

Bottom Line

Relai edges out Strike by 4 points. It's a close call, and the right choice depends on your specific situation — how much bitcoin you're holding, how often you need access, and whether you prioritize bitcoin-only. european. auto-dca directly to your own wallet. over near-zero fees on some purchases. lightning-native. simple dca.. Keep in mind these platforms target different audiences — Relai is built for europe, while Strike serves beginners. One thing to watch with Strike: limited custody features. designed for buying and sending, not long-term holding..