Tether unveils stablecoin backed by Georgian lari

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Eugene Komchuk

25.05.2026

Tether unveils stablecoin backed by Georgian lari — Georgia and Tether launch a stablecoin

Tether, together with the Georgian government, is preparing to launch GELT — a stablecoin pegged to the Georgian lari. GELT will be used for low-cost transfers, near-instant settlements, programmable payments, and more efficient movement of value within digital financial systems.

The company describes the token as a digital representation of the Georgian lari and one of the first joint projects in which a national currency is directly connected to digital-asset payment networks under a dedicated stablecoin regulatory framework.

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Tether believes the project could support cross-border trade, fintech development, digital payments, and access to programmable financial infrastructure in Georgia and neighboring markets.

The launch of GELT builds on the work of the Georgian government and the country’s National Bank to create rules for digital assets. Georgia is developing a regulatory framework for stablecoins that covers reserve management, redemption rights, issuer oversight, and compliance with anti-money laundering requirements.

According to Tether, Georgia’s approach is being structured to be practically compatible with stablecoin regulation discussions in the United States. The company also noted that the framework is oriented toward alignment with the direction of U.S. digital asset regulation, including the GENIUS Act.

Georgia is building a new financial system

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that the country, together with partners such as Tether, is laying the foundation for a more connected, transparent, and technologically advanced financial system. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino noted that stablecoins are no longer a niche financial product and are gradually becoming part of the infrastructure layer of global finance.

According to Ardoino, Georgia began building a serious regulatory framework for digital assets and stablecoins early on, and such legal clarity creates conditions for real innovation and mass adoption.

Georgia is already considered one of the more advanced jurisdictions for payments using digital assets. Tether noted that users in the country can already instantly convert digital assets into local currency to pay taxes. The company plans to disclose details about GELT’s structure, launch timeline, and regulatory specifics later.

National Bank of Georgia Governor Natia Turnava said the regulator welcomes cooperation with global innovators such as Tether as part of its strategy to develop safe, modern digital financial infrastructure aligned with international standards.

Tether’s most popular stablecoins

Tether is best known for USDT, the market’s largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar. Launched in 2014, it has become a key tool for settlements, trading, and liquidity transfers between crypto exchanges, wallets, and payment services. According to Tether, its tokens are issued on multiple blockchains and backed by the company’s reserves.

In addition to USDT, Tether also develops stablecoins tied to other assets. These include MXNT, linked to the Mexican peso; CNHT, tied to the offshore Chinese yuan; and XAUT, a gold-backed token. Against this backdrop, GELT looks like a continuation of Tether’s strategy to tokenize national currencies and expand payment infrastructure beyond the dollar market.

As a reminder, Tether acquired SoftBank Group’s stake in Twenty One.

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