Tether has announced plans to launch GEL?, a stablecoin pegged to the Georgian Lari, in partnership with the Government of Georgia.
The announcement marks one of the first efforts to place a national currency directly onto digital asset infrastructure under a purpose-built stablecoin regulatory framework.
Tether’s USD? carries a market capitalization approaching $190 billion, with 24-hour trading volumes that regularly surpass Visa and Mastercard. Tether has not described the asset as a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
GEL? aims to enable lower transaction costs, near-instant settlement, and programmable payments. Georgia’s framework is designed for compatibility with the U.S. GENIUS Act, positioning the country among the earliest nations seeking regulatory interoperability with the evolving U.S. digital asset framework.
According to Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether:
“Stablecoins are no longer a niche financial instrument. They are becoming part of the infrastructure layer for global finance. 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.”
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said Georgia is “laying the foundations for a more connected, transparent, and digitally empowered financial world” through the partnership. Further details on GEL?’s structure and rollout will be announced at a later date.
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