Tether to Launch GELT Stablecoin With Georgia Support

TLDR

• Tether plans to launch GELT, a stablecoin tied to the Georgian lari with government support.
• The GELT token will function as a digital representation of the Georgian national currency.
• Georgia designed a stablecoin regulatory framework aligned with emerging U.S. rules, including the GENIUS Act.
• Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze endorsed the partnership with Tether in an official statement.
• Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said stablecoins are becoming part of global financial infrastructure.

Tether has announced plans to launch GELT, a stablecoin representing the Georgian lari, with government backing. The company said GELT will act as a digital version of the national currency on blockchain rails. Tether confirmed the initiative aligns with Georgia’s new digital asset regulatory framework.

Tether said GELT will enable lower transaction costs and faster settlement for payments. The company added that the token will support programmable financial services across Georgia and nearby markets.

The announcement followed a joint statement with Georgian officials on Monday. Tether described GELT as a “digital representation” of the Georgian Lari.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze welcomed the partnership in the official statement. “Together with visionary partners like Tether, Georgia is laying the foundations for a more connected, transparent, and digitally empowered financial world,” he said.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said stablecoins are becoming part of global financial infrastructure. He added that Georgia’s regulatory clarity creates the foundation for innovation and adoption.

Tether Expands Stablecoin Strategy With GELT Initiative

Tether said the GELT project ranks among early attempts to place a national currency directly on blockchain rails. The company stated that Georgia designed a purpose-built framework for stablecoin issuance.

Officials said the framework aims to align with international standards on reserves and compliance. They added that the rules support issuer supervision and legal clarity for digital asset businesses.

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Tether noted that Georgia’s framework seeks compatibility with emerging U.S. stablecoin rules. The company referenced the GENIUS Act as a benchmark for interoperability. The firm said GELT will support cross-border commerce and digital payments. It also plans to enable broader access to programmable financial infrastructure.

Georgia Aligns Digital Asset Rules With U.S. Stablecoin Framework

The National Bank of Georgia helped shape the country’s digital asset legislation. Lawmakers spent years developing rules for crypto and stablecoin oversight. Tether confirmed it will share further details about GELT’s structure later. The company did not disclose a launch date or reserve composition.

The GELT announcement follows Tether’s earlier jurisdiction-specific tokens. In May 2022, the company launched MXNT, a Mexican peso-pegged stablecoin. Tether also introduced EURT as a euro-pegged token but later wound it down. Redemptions ceased in November 2025 after regulatory changes in Europe.

Earlier this year, Tether launched USAT after U.S. lawmakers passed the GENIUS Act. USDT, its flagship token, has a market capitalization of nearly $190 billion but remains unavailable to U.S. clients. Tether said it will release more information on GELT’s rollout and regulatory implementation at a later stage.