How to launch your crypto exchange software in Georgia in 2026?

Bybit and Bitget, both amongst 10 crypto exchange software by global trading volume, entered Eastern Europe with Georgian Virtual Asset Service Provider registration in 2025. That wasn’t random but strategic.

Since then, Bybit has treated Georgia as a launchpad, not a checkbox jurisdiction. The rollouts have been deliberate and aggressive:

• Bybit Georgia with one-click crypto purchases
• A crypto card launch in January 2026, bridging spending and trading
• Upcoming neobank features, including IBAN accounts expected in February

This is not how cryptocurrency exchanges behave in unstable and speculative markets. This behavior reflects predictable regulations, workable banking access, and long-run expansion economics make sense.

Georgia fits that profile.

If you’re any of those planning your cryptocurrency exchange development for launch in Georgia:

• Entrepreneurs building long-term exchange businesses
• Stock exchanges evaluating crypto and tokenized assets
• Brokerage firms expanding into digital markets
• Fintechs launching regulated trading infrastructure

This guide is for you.

Why is Georgia Quietly Becoming a Crypto Exchange Software Base?

Until 2023, cryptocurrency exchanges in Georgia operated in a grey, lightly supervised environment, but not anymore.

• • The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) now regulates crypto under a defined VASP framework.
  • Exchanges register instead of negotiating regulatory uncertainty.
  • AML and KYC are enforced proportionally, aligned with FATF guidance.
  • Entry and compliance costs remain far lower than in the EU, UK, or US.

To date, Georgia is officially legally clear for operators and investable for institutions that can’t touch unregulated markets.

• Small Population, Outsized Impact

With over 3.7 million people, Georgia ranks among the top three countries in the 2025 Chainanalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index (population-adjusted). And even more important than ownership is Georgian behavior, as testified by various recent research.

• • Eastern Europe remains underbanked but crypto-active.
  • Retail traders actively move between spot trading, wallets, and DeFi protocols
  • On-chain usage remains strong relative to population size.
  • Regular use of crypto beyond speculation
  • Users are comfortable with self-custody, stablecoins, and cross-platform movement.

This creates a real user base that understands trading mechanics, adopts new financial tools quickly, and does not require heavy education to onboard. All of this also reduces friction at the launch of the crypto exchange software.

• Favorable For Operators & Traders

Georgia’s crypto appeal is not driven by retail hype but operational hype. 

• • 0% capital gains tax for individual crypto holders
  • VAT exemption on crypto transactions
  • Crypto exchanges can scale operations without an early tax drag. They don’t pay tax when they earn profit or reinvest it, but when they pay dividends, 5% tax applies. 
  • Affordable licensing and entity setup
  • No political or regulatory hostility toward crypto businesses

For exchange founders, this directly impacts:

• • User acquisition efficiency

• • Market maker participation

• • High-frequency and professional trading activity

• • Long-term retention of active users

It also creates a clear path for stock exchanges and brokerages to introduce regulated crypto trading, tokenized assets, and hybrid digital markets. 

• Remittances and Stablecoin Effect 

One of the strongest drivers of crypto usage in Georgia is remittances.

• • Georgia receives over $2 billion annually in cross-border remittances.
  • Major remittance corridors for Georgia include the US, Russia, and Turkey.
  • Traditional remittance fees often range between 7-10%.

Stablecoins, primarily USDT and USDC, offer a cheaper and faster alternative to traditional remittance systems, and users in Georgia already understand fiat-pegged crypto assets. Those seeking a cryptocurrency exchange software development company must build with those who can implement fiat on/off ramps along with P2P rails within crypto exchanges. 

• Mining Legacy and Infrastructure Advantage

For years, Georgia was an active mining hub due to low energy costs and early openness to crypto operations. While large-scale mining has since normalized globally, its impact on local adoption patterns remains.

• • Georgia’s crypto adoption did not begin with trading apps. It began with infrastructure. In markets without a mining or infrastructure phase, crypto usually enters as a price chart, meme, or quick-profit instrument. In Georgia, crypto entered earlier as hardware, energy economics, wallets, custody, long-term holding, and not as a speculative instrument. That changes user psychology.
  • Mining-heavy ecosystems produce wallet-native users and not just app-only users who are comfortable with private keys and custody. They have a higher tolerance for advanced products such as derivatives, tokenized assets, on-chain settlement mechanisms, etc. So, it ultimately lowers onboarding friction and education costs for those planning advanced cryptocurrency exchange development.

For cryptocurrency exchange software operators planning an initial launch, Georgia becomes a launchpad that enables:

• • Liquidity bootstrapping with high-intent users
  • Active, stablecoin-heavy order books
  • Early adoption of new products such as derivatives, tokenized assets, yield products, etc.  

Georgia vs “Popular” Crypto Jurisdictions

Regulatory Framework for Crypto Exchange Software in Georgia

Georgia’s crypto regulation doesn’t live in assumptions or interpretations but is driven by processes, filings, and enforcement. This section breaks down how the Georgian crypto exchange registration regime works in practice.

1. Who Regulates Crypto Exchange Software in Georgia?

As stated above, crypto exchange operators in Georgia have been regulated by the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) under the Law on the Registration of VASP since July 1, 2023. The Georgian Lari remains the only legal currency. However, crypto trading, custody and exchange operations are explicitly regulated under the VASP framework.

The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) does not operate like a product gatekeeper. It does not:

• Approve or reject individual tokens
• Certify each trading pair
• Review every new crypto product before launch

Instead, it regulates the cryptocurrency exchange software operator, not each asset. It only evaluates whether a VASP:

• Has proper AML/KYC controls
• Can monitor and report suspicious activity
• Has governance, risk, and operational controls in place
• Can prevent market abuse, fraud, and illicit finance

Once a VASP is registered, the responsibility for what it lists lies with the exchange, not with NBG, provided it stays within the regulatory boundaries.

2. Who Must Register as a VASP?

Any entity providing crypto-related financial services from or within Georgia must register as a VASP with the NBG.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Centralized crypto exchanges: Platforms facilitating spot, derivatives, or margin trading
• Custodial wallet providers: Services holding private keys or assets on behalf of users
• Crypto/fiat service providers: Fiat on-ramps, off-ramps, and settlement platforms
• OTC desks and brokerage-style platforms: Particularly relevant for institutions, high-net-worth clients, and mining firms

For stock exchanges and brokerages planning cryptocurrency exchange development, this means operations cannot be treated as a side or unregulated activity. If digital assets are offered, VASP registration becomes mandatory.

3. VASP Registration Requirements

Georgia’s VASP registration is documentation-driven and process-oriented.

A. Corporate Structure & Disclosures

Crypto exchange software applicants must submit:

• Legal entity details (Georgian incorporation or registered branch)
• Ownership structure and ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs)
• Business model description (products, markets, target users)
• Operational flow of funds and assets

B. AML / KYC Systems

VASP applicants applying for their wallet or crypto exchange development projects must demonstrate:

• Risk-based customer onboarding procedures
• Identity verification aligned with FATF guidance
• Transaction monitoring systems
• Suspicious activity reporting workflows
• Sanctions screening and record retention

Georgia does not allow anonymous or privacy-focused assets that prevent traceability. Exchanges must be able to explain how illicit activity is detected and mitigated.

C. “Fit and Proper” Management Checks

Key personnel among crypto exchange software operators are assessed for:

• Professional competence
• Relevant financial or compliance experience
• Clean legal and regulatory history

This applies to directors, senior management, and compliance officers

D. Reporting & Ongoing Obligations

Registered VASPs are required to:

• Maintain transaction and customer records
• Submit periodic activity and volume reports
• Cooperate with regulatory inspections
• Notify the NBG of material changes (ownership, services, governance)

Non-compliance can result in financial penalties, operational suspension, and deregistration as a VASP

E. Costs Associated With Georgian Cryptocurrency Exchange Software Registration

The State registration fee is approximately 1,500 GEL, and there are no excessive capital lock-up requirements. This keeps Georgia accessible for:

• Startups with serious intent
• Regional exchanges
• Stock exchanges that are testing digital asset markets
• Fintechs expanding into crypto trading

Step-by-Step: How to Launch a Crypto Exchange Software in Georgia in 2026 

1. Define the Business Model & Jurisdictional Structuring

Before the incorporation of their crypto exchange software or licensing, founders must lock in three decisions:

• Target users (retail, institutional, remittance, regional)
• Asset focus (crypto-only, stablecoins, tokenized assets)
• Operating footprint (Georgia-only vs regional hub)

Those planning their crypto exchange development must learn that Georgia works best when treated as a safe gateway into Eastern Europe and a regulated operating base, and not as a domestic market or loophole jurisdiction.

Also, when you’re deciding on cryptocurrency exchange software models, you must not clone any existing random exchange. The best way is to pick models that regulators and banking environments support.

Top Cryptocurrency Exchange Software Development Models For Launch in Georgia Include:

A. Centralized Exchanges: Best suited for crypto exchange software development projects building fiat on/off ramps, compliance-heavy trading environments, or those targeting institutional and professional traders.

Why this works in Georgia:

• Georgian banks are most compatible with custodial structures.

• Easier alignment with AML and reporting expectations under the National Bank of Georgia.

• Market makers prefer centralized custody and execution predictability.

For stock exchanges or brokerages entering crypto, a centralized exchange development model is quite low-friction. 

B. Hybrid Custody Exchange: Hybrid custody crypto exchange development combines centralized order books and matching engines with self-custodial as well as centralized wallets. 

Why this fits Georgia well:

• Compliance remains centralized and auditable

• Custody models can evolve gradually

• Supports future expansion into tokenized assets

Georgian stock exchanges and financial institutions extending existing infrastructures without abandoning established governance models can leverage such models.

C. Niche Exchanges: Those planning a domestic cryptocurrency exchange software development must not build retail-focussed platforms but can go for focused niches including:

• Stablecoin-focused remittance exchanges (USDT/USDC corridors)
• Mining-community and professional trading 
• Regional liquidity hubs serving Eastern Europe and CIS markets

2. Entity Setup in Georgia and VASP registration

Once the cryptocurrency exchange software model is finalized, it’s time to:

• Incorporate a Georgian legal entity or register a branch
• Define ownership and beneficial controllers
• Appoint directors and compliance officers aligned with VASP requirements

A cryptocurrency exchange software development company can help structure an entity based on:

• The exchange model selected above
• Future product scope (derivatives, tokenized assets, custody)

After setting up the entity, all crypto exchange software must register as VASPs.

3. Crypto Exchange Software Development

Collaborate with your cryptocurrency exchange software development company to bring these essential components together and weave them with compliance and security.

• High-performance matching engine and order management
• Wallet and custody infrastructure (hot/cold segregation)
• User accounts, balances, and permissions
• Admin and compliance dashboards
• APIs for liquidity providers and market makers

Now, since businesses need to build for the Georgian market, they need to devise the right fiat and banking settlement strategy to establish a workable fiat on/off ramp. They must have clear custodial structures, transparent fund flow documentation, and strong AML alignment for compliance with Georgian banks.

Also, cryptocurrency exchange software development won’t work in 2026 and beyond until it aligns with top Georgian digital asset trends. Modern platforms are expected to support:

• Tokenized asset readiness, including tokenized stocks, bonds, and commodities, with clear separation between primary issuance workflows and secondary market trading, ownership traceability, transfer controls, and secondary-market structures suitable for institutional participation rather than unrestricted retail issuance.
• Stablecoin-centric market design, where USDT and USDC function as core base pairs, enabling fiat-light settlement flows, efficient cross-border remittance use cases, and treasury, margin, and liquidity management denominated primarily in stablecoins.
• Embedded, institutional-grade compliance technology, covering real-time transaction monitoring, on-chain analytics and risk scoring, automated regulatory and activity reporting, and rule-based alerts with full audit trails to meet ongoing supervision expectations under the NBG.

4. Security and Liquidity:

Strong cryptocurrency exchange development liquidity directly impacts regulator confidence, banking relationships, and institutional adoption. So, crypto trading platforms must implement the following security essentials:

• Hot and cold wallet segregation
• Key management and access controls
• Custody auditability
• Incident response procedures

Also, for initiating trading instantly, crypto exchange software solutions need to plan liquidity mechanisms that align with the exchange model, target users, and asset scope. Georgia-based cryptocurrency exchanges typically rely on:

• Professional market makers
• Liquidity aggregation APIs
• Stablecoin-denominated order books
• OTC partnerships for large trades

5. Go-live, Audits & Scaling

Before the public launch, operators must collaborate with a cryptocurrency exchange software development company to:

• Conduct internal and third-party audits
• Test compliance reporting workflows
• Validate banking and settlement flows

Post-launch, they can scale on the following:

• Regional expansion
• New asset classes
• Tokenized markets
• Institutional partnerships

Final Takeaway

Georgia’s VASP regime is designed to filter out anonymous operators, compliance-averse exchanges and regulatory arbitrage plays. It also supports predictable licensing timelines, banking relationships, institutional participation, and expansion into tokenized assets and regulated crypto products.

If you’re serious about launching a regulated crypto exchange in Georgia, Antier offers custom and compliance-ready white label cryptocurrency exchange infrastructure that regulators approve and that users trust.

Share your project requirements today!