Top 5 Bitcoin Savings Plans for Long-Term Investors [2026]

Long-term investors may find that buying bitcoin on a schedule is easier than trying to time the market and keeping track of all its ups and downs. One popular method used for this goal is dollar-cost averaging (DCA), which refers to investing a fixed amount at regular intervals to reduce price-swing exposure.

A handful of apps now automate this process entirely through bitcoin savings plans, but they can differ significantly on fees, custody, supported markets, and ease of setup. Here are five of the strongest options for long-term investors in Europe.

TL;DR

• Relai is the top pick for self-custody and bitcoin-only DCA in Europe.
• Bitpanda and Kraken offer more asset variety and exchange features, with custodial storage.
• Revolut suits existing users who want a quick recurring buy without opening a separate app.
• Bison is the go-to for German users who want strong BaFin regulation and institutional backing.

What Is a Bitcoin Savings Plan?

A bitcoin savings plan is an automated process in which you send a fixed amount of money to a platform at regular intervals (e.g., weekly or monthly), and it purchases bitcoin for you.

The strategy is called dollar-cost averaging, and it helps absorb the effects of volatile bitcoin price movements. By buying a specific amount every week or month, investors catch some price lows, some highs, and average out the overall volatility.

What to Look For

Four things worth checking before you commit to a platform:

Custody

Consider whether the platform holds your bitcoin or you do. This is important as custodial platforms keep your private keys, which means you trust them to secure your assets. Non-custodial platforms send bitcoin directly to the wallet that only you control.

Payment methods

Among the payment routes available on bitcoin savings plans platforms, bank transfer (SEPA) is the cheapest across the board, which makes it the most favorable. Card payments typically add 1% to 3% in fees.

Regulation

Check where the platform is licensed and under which framework. MiCA-licensed platforms have regulatory coverage across the EU. Others may hold licenses in specific countries only. Where a platform is regulated affects what protections you have as a user.

Ease of setup

A savings plan you can set up in minutes beats one with marginally lower fees that takes hours to configure.

Relai

Relai is a Swiss bitcoin-only app built around the idea of simplifying the process of buying and holding bitcoin. By early 2026, Relai had already recorded over $1 billion in total transaction volume and 500,000 app downloads. It also took home the ‘Best Crypto Startup’ prize at the 2024 Swiss Crypto Awards and landed on Sifted’s list of Europe’s fastest-growing startups in the same year.

The platform operates under Swiss AML regulations as a member of the VQF SRO and is registered as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) under the EU’s MiCA framework via the French Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). This gives it regulatory coverage across both Switzerland and the broader EU market.

Highlights

Relai builds its savings plan around simplicity. All you need to do is pick an amount and choose a frequency. The app handles everything else automatically. It removes a trading dashboard and any altcoin noise from the picture. The bitcoin just goes straight into a wallet you own. No identity verification is required for smaller purchase amounts.

The platform uses a self-custody model where your funds stay in your control, protected by a 12-word recovery phrase. If the company ceased operations tomorrow, your bitcoin would stay accessible to you.

Relai also offers a premium tier called Relai Private, which is designed for high-net-worth individuals and businesses. It includes higher transaction limits and a dedicated personal advisor. Users get priority processing if larger purchases are involved.

Payment Methods

Relai supports a wide range of payment methods, which cover bank transfers, debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Bank transfer (SEPA) is the most cost-effective route for recurring savings plans.

Security & Custody

The core idea of Relai’s security ethos is that your keys never leave your device. Your bitcoin lands in a wallet you own and stays under your control.

Ease of Use

Setting up an automated bitcoin savings plan with Relai takes only a few minutes. You just download the app, go to the ‘Buy Bitcoin’ dashboard, enter your amount, choose weekly or monthly, and set up a recurring bank transfer on your bank’s side. 

If you get stuck anywhere, help is accessible via in-app messaging, email, a ticket, a collection of frequently asked questions, and articles covering anything from getting started to potential privacy or legal concerns. The app is available in English, German, French, and Italian.

Bitpanda

Bitpanda is an Austrian investment platform founded in 2014 that supports cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, and precious metals. It holds regulatory licenses across the European Economic Area (EEA), including Austria’s FMA and Germany’s BaFin.

Highlights

Bitpanda lets users set up recurring purchases on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis across its full range of assets. The platform’s January 2026 expansion added the coverage of stocks and ETFs to its existing crypto offering.

Savings plans run automatically once set up, and the platform includes a built-in knowledge base through Bitpanda Academy for users who want to understand what they’re investing in. Customer support runs 24/7 across multiple languages.

Payment Methods

Bitpanda supports SEPA direct debit, standard bank transfers, credit and debit cards, Skrill, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Security & Custody

Bitpanda uses a custodial model and operates in line with EU regulatory requirements. Client assets are held across cold and hot wallets and protected with measures such as two-factor authentication and segregated accounts. Once your savings plan begins, Bitpanda will hold your bitcoin on your behalf.

Ease of Use

The mobile app and web interface are well-structured, with clear portfolio overviews and simple tools for managing recurrent investments. Bitpanda also maintains a detailed knowledge base and provides customer support through a ticketing system.

Revolut

Revolut is a UK fintech platform that operates primarily as a banking app offering multi-currency accounts and international transfers, with crypto as one of its features. It has secured a MiCA license for EU-wide crypto operations and a full banking license in Lithuania.

Highlights

Revolut supports bitcoin purchases on a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule directly within its banking app with no separate account needed for existing users. The app also includes a spare change round-up feature that automatically converts card purchase remainders into crypto. For users who want more, Revolut X offers a dedicated trading interface alongside the standard banking app.

Payment Methods

Funding bitcoin purchases is possible directly from users’ Revolut balance, via bank transfer, or with a card, and depends on the location and account tier.

Security & Custody

Revolut operates under EU regulatory frameworks and owns a banking license in Lithuania, with crypto services subject to local regulations. Crypto assets are held in custody by licensed third-party custodians on users’ behalf, and the ability to withdraw crypto to an external wallet varies by region and subscription level.

Ease of Use

The interface is clean and easy to use. Setting up purchases takes only a few taps, and customer support is provided through in-app chat, with faster priority for paid subscribers.

Kraken

Kraken is a US crypto exchange that operates as a fully regulated, KYC-verified platform across multiple jurisdictions. In the EU, it is subject to MiCA regulation and is registered with relevant national authorities. All users require full KYC verification.

Highlights

Kraken lets users set up recurring buys at daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly intervals. Users can set specific price conditions that must be met before a buy occurs, and can edit or cancel schedules at any time.

Payment Methods

Kraken accepts bank transfers, debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal in supported regions. SEPA transfers are the standard deposit method for European users.

Security & Custody

Kraken is a custodial exchange that holds your bitcoin on your behalf. It uses a combination of cold and hot wallet storage and requires full KYC verification for all its clients.

Ease of Use

Kraken’s interface is easy to navigate. The platform provides educational resources on DCA and other investing strategies and customer support is there to answer any questions.

Bison

Bison is a crypto app built and operated by the Börse Stuttgart Group. It supports bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies alongside stocks and ETFs. In January 2025, it became the first German provider to receive a MiCAR license from BaFin.

Highlights

Users can set up weekly, monthly, or quarterly recurring bitcoin purchases. The platform provides an annual tax report, which simplifies filing for German investors. Euro balances are held with Solaris SE and Deutsche Bank, with up to €100,000 per person covered by statutory deposit insurance.

Payment Methods

Bison supports SEPA bank transfers, credit and debit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

Security & Custody

The platform deploys a custodial model. Crypto assets are held by Börse Stuttgart Digital Custody GmbH, a BaFin-regulated subsidiary of the Börse Stuttgart Group, with insurance against hacking and theft provided by Munich Re.

Ease of Use

The app is accessible via mobile and web. Customer support is available through a help center and email. Registration requires a video identification process in line with German KYC standards.

Bottom Line

The ‘best’ bitcoin savings plan for you depends on what you feel comfortable with in terms of custody over your funds and how much importance you place on keeping your holdings exclusively in bitcoin.

Relai is the clearest pick for European investors who prioritize self-custody. The self-custody model and bitcoin-only focus, backed by MiCA compliance, make it the right call for long-term savers who don’t need altcoin exposure or trading charts.

Bitpanda and Kraken work well if you’re comfortable with custodial storage and want broader asset options or a more established exchange environment. Revolut makes sense if you already use it as your main banking app and just want to add a small recurring buy without opening a new account. Bison is particularly suited to German-speaking investors who appreciate the BaFin support.

Disclaimer: Bitcoin is volatile, past performance doesn’t predict future returns, and this article is not financial advice. Use the responsible investing tools available on whichever platform you choose.