At a high-level forum in Tbilisi, regulators, global payment networks, banking executives, and digital asset innovators were brought together by Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. The session was designed to explore the future of crypto-powered payments.
During the event, participants from all parts of the financial ecosystem came together to explore the ways in which digital assets may be integrated with conventional payment infrastructure, how they might increase their usefulness in the real world, and how they can help the ongoing growth of Georgia’s digital economy.
At the same time, the forum marked the launch of the Bybit Card in Georgia, which is a step toward making cryptocurrency payments more accessible to the general public. The card is compatible with Apple Pay in Georgia, which enables users to make secure contactless payments straight from their digital wallets. Additionally, the card enables users to spend digital assets for day-to-day transactions.
Following the acquisition of a Payment Service Provider (PSP) license in Georgia during the fourth quarter of 2025, Bybit was able to expand its operations into the payments sector. With this license, Bybit is able to issue Bybit cards in Georgia, which helps to improve the local fiat payment rails and enables a tighter interaction between digital asset services and the financial infrastructure of the nation.
Representatives of the government have expressed their gratitude for the introduction of the Bybit Card in Georgia, acknowledging it as a significant step toward increasing the use of digital assets for legitimate transactions in the real world. There has already been a rising acceptance of the Bybit Card in the local community, thanks to the strong backing it has received from the government and authorities. Bybit intends to further extend card issuance in Georgia and throughout surrounding markets, with the goal of Georgia being a regional center for the development of crypto-powered payment innovations.
For the purpose of highlighting Georgia’s commitment to responsible financial innovation and modern payment infrastructure, the event featured keynote remarks from representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia as well as the National Bank of Georgia.
An important feature of the event was a panel discussion that was titled “The Future of Payments.” The purpose of the discussion was to investigate how government authorities, global payment networks, financial institutions, and blockchain businesses might work together to hasten the adoption of cryptocurrency payments in the real world.
The following individuals were present on the panel: Ben Zhou, the Co-Founder and CEO of Bybit; Shota Lomtadze, the Director of Bybit Georgia; Natia Turnava, the Governor of the National Bank of Georgia; David Zgudadze, the Vice President for Georgia and Armenia at Mastercard; Salim Dhanani, the Co-Founder and CEO of Pave Bank; Marco Dal Lago, the Vice President of Global Expansion and Strategic Partnerships at Tether; and Tekla Iashagashvili, the Regional Manager of Bybit Georgia
Bybit executives emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to the development of payment infrastructure and the provision of support for the ecosystem of digital assets in the local jurisdiction.
“Georgia has emerged as one of the most promising environments for digital financial innovation,” said Shota Lomtadze, Director of Bybit Georgia. “With the launch of the Bybit Card and the foundation provided by our PSP license, we are strengthening the infrastructure that allows digital assets to move seamlessly between trading platforms and everyday payments. Together with regulators, global partners, and local financial institutions, we aim to support Georgia’s ambition to become a regional leader in next-generation financial services.”
“Bybit is here to stay,” said Ben Zhou, Co-Founder and CEO of Bybit. “We are committed to being the most reliable partner for the National Bank of Georgia and the most valuable ally for Georgia’s business community. We will continue to invest, hire, and bring our global capabilities to this local market. Together, let’s show the world what happens when a brave nation and a global platform build the future of finance together.”
At the moment, Bybit provides customers in Georgia with access to a full digital asset platform. This platform has over 600 spot trading pairs, one-click buy capability, over-the-counter services, and an institutional-grade security infrastructure.
At the end of the event, there were networking sessions that brought together policymakers, financial institutions, leaders in the fintech industry, and innovators in the blockchain space. These discussions served to reinforce Georgia’s rising position as a center for digital asset innovation and the future of global payments.
