Key Highlights
- Bybit launches a crypto payment card in Georgia for everyday spending.
- The rollout follows regulatory approval from the National Bank of Georgia.
- The card supports contactless payments, including integration with Apple Pay.
Crypto exchange Bybit has launched a payment card in Georgia, letting users spend digital assets on everyday purchases. The launch marks a shift from trading-focused services toward real-world utility, enabling cryptocurrency holders to pay for goods and services through traditional payment networks.
Moreover, the card works with Apple Pay, allowing contactless transactions directly from a mobile device.
Regulatory approval paved the way
The development comes after Bybit acquired a Payment Service Provider license from the National Bank of Georgia in late 2025. This will enable them to issue payment cards locally and link digital asset accounts to existing financial infrastructure in the country.
The development has been seen as part of a larger process of modernizing payment systems under regulatory control.
Georgia positioned as regional test market
Bybit executives have identified Georgia as a favorable environment for financial technology experimentation, citing regulatory openness and growing digital adoption.
Shota Lomtadze, director of Bybit Georgia, said, “Georgia has emerged as one of the most promising environments for digital financial innovation.”
He added, “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.”
Moreover, government representatives and regulators have indicated support for initiatives that encourage responsible innovation in payments and financial services.
Collaboration across finance
The card’s launch was accompanied by a forum focused on payments in the country’s capital, Tbilisi, where various stakeholders, including banks, payment systems, and blockchain companies, were present.
The participants of the meeting shared their insights on how digital assets could be integrated into existing financial systems, as well as their perspectives on the future of crypto in payments.
Expanding beyond trading services
Bybit already offers users a variety of services related to digital assets in the country, including spot trading, over-the-counter transactions, and asset purchases.
The payment card also introduces a layer of usability that allows users to directly convert their digital assets into spendable funds instead of needing to withdraw them into a bank account, which reduces the barrier between owning digital assets and using them in real life.
What the launch means
The success or failure of crypto payment cards could influence whether digital assets evolve into everyday financial tools or remain primarily investment vehicles.
By linking cryptocurrency balances directly to retail spending, initiatives like this test whether users are willing to treat digital assets as money, not just as tradable assets held on exchanges.
Also Read: Alibaba Backs Singapore’s MetaComp to Scale Hybrid Stablecoin Payments
