Tether to launch stablecoin with Georgian government
27 May 2026 Georgia
Image: monticellllo/stock.adobe.com
Tether has unveiled plans to launch GELT, a stablecoin representing the Georgian lari, in collaboration with the government of Georgia.
GELT aims to enable lower transaction costs, near-instantaneous settlement, programmable payments, and a more efficient movement of value across digital financial systems.
The collaborative effort hopes to support cross-border commerce, fintech development, digital payments, and broader access to programmable financial infrastructure throughout Georgia and the wider region.
According to the firm, the initiative is one of the first joint efforts to place a national currency onto digital asset rails under a dedicated stablecoin regulatory framework, which has been built to be compatible with emerging US stablecoin regulation.
Tether says the Georgian government’s decision to work with them is indicative of the scale of industry infrastructure and its experience in “operating digital fiat infrastructure at global volume”.
Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia, says: “Together with visionary partners like Tether, Georgia is laying the foundations for a more connected, transparent, and digitally empowered financial world.”
CEO of Tether, Paolo Ardoino, adds: “Georgia has moved early to create serious regulatory architecture for digital assets and stablecoins, and that clarity creates the foundation for real innovation and adoption.”
Natia Turnava, president of the National Bank of Georgia, comments: “The National Bank of Georgia welcomes collaboration with global innovators like Tether as part of its broader strategy to advance secure, modern, and internationally aligned digital financial infrastructure.”
Tether says that further details surrounding GELT’s structure, rollout, and regulatory implementation will be announced at a later date.
GELT aims to enable lower transaction costs, near-instantaneous settlement, programmable payments, and a more efficient movement of value across digital financial systems.
The collaborative effort hopes to support cross-border commerce, fintech development, digital payments, and broader access to programmable financial infrastructure throughout Georgia and the wider region.
According to the firm, the initiative is one of the first joint efforts to place a national currency onto digital asset rails under a dedicated stablecoin regulatory framework, which has been built to be compatible with emerging US stablecoin regulation.
Tether says the Georgian government’s decision to work with them is indicative of the scale of industry infrastructure and its experience in “operating digital fiat infrastructure at global volume”.
Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia, says: “Together with visionary partners like Tether, Georgia is laying the foundations for a more connected, transparent, and digitally empowered financial world.”
CEO of Tether, Paolo Ardoino, adds: “Georgia has moved early to create serious regulatory architecture for digital assets and stablecoins, and that clarity creates the foundation for real innovation and adoption.”
Natia Turnava, president of the National Bank of Georgia, comments: “The National Bank of Georgia welcomes collaboration with global innovators like Tether as part of its broader strategy to advance secure, modern, and internationally aligned digital financial infrastructure.”
Tether says that further details surrounding GELT’s structure, rollout, and regulatory implementation will be announced at a later date.
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