Using Crypto in Tbilisi Guide

If you’re a crypto bro, or digital nomad with an interest in cryptocurrency, the good news is that there are few countries better than Georgia right now, with crypto in Tbilisi to such a degree that you could almost call it mainstream.

This is evidenced by the fact that you can pay by crypto all across the city, inclusive of services, food and even bills to the government. And were this not enough, the city has more crypto ATMs than any other city on Earth.

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Georgia and Crypto

Georgia is one of those countries that has looked at crypto and basically said “why not?”. Unlike many countries where governments have either tried to ban it or regulate it to death, Georgia has mostly taken a hands-off approach. Crypto is not official currency here, but owning, trading and using it is perfectly possible. And yeah that means Crypto in Tbilisi is kinda an official currency in real terms.

This fits into the wider Georgian attitude of trying to attract entrepreneurs, digital nomads and anyone who can bring money into the country. This is epitomized by its famous rate of 1 percent tax (on turnover) which is offered to “Individual Entrepreneurs”. Oh and it is really cheap and nice to live here too.

These are things I will cover later, because in all honestly Georgia is basically the hottest place in Europe right now for Digital Nomads, those who get paid to travel and earners looking for alternative banking options.

Options for Crypto in Tbilisi

The main cryptocurrencies used in Tbilisi are the usual global players, with Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT (Tether) being the most common. USDT is particularly popular as a way of avoiding the volatility of other cryptocurrencies, while Bitcoin remains the most recognised crypto globally.

You will also find people using other major coins such as Litecoin, Binance Coin and various stablecoins. In reality, though, most everyday crypto activity in Tbilisi revolves around Bitcoin, Ethereum and stablecoins rather than more obscure coins. USDT seems to be the most popular for sanctions busting – allegedly.

The Crypto in Tbilisi ATM Guide

Tbilisi has a surprisingly large number of cryptocurrency ATMs for a city of its size. These machines allow users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT being the most common options.

The downside is that fees can be very high compared with using an online exchange, and spreads on the prices offered can also be significant. They are more about convenience than value.

There are also many payment machines around Georgia that are not crypto ATMs but are used for paying phone bills, utilities and other services. These can sometimes be used to exchange money and make payments, making the overall financial environment feel much more digital and crypto enabled than pretty much anywhere else.

So, Who Is Using Crypto in Tbilisi?

This is where things do get a bit funny! There is no doubt that Georgia and Tbilisi are forward thinking and tech savvy, which has led to an embrace of cryptocurrencies. This, though, is not to say that there is also not a dark side.

The fact that all the machines have Russian language on them is no coincidence and is what the huge number of Russians that come to Georgia use to pay while here.

Secondly, and something I have had very much confirmed via my TikTok videos, is that people use crypto to pay for drugs in Georgia. This is more an amusement than something to put you off, but hey, the truth is funny.

Overall though, you will not find a city more friendly to crypto than Tbilisi, at least in my experience.