You don't need Georgian citizenship or a residence permit to buy or sell crypto in Georgia. You can visit a licensed exchange service with a passport from your home country, even if you're only in Georgia for a few days. You'll need to verify your identity before your first transaction.

Do you need a Georgian bank account

If you want cash, there's no need to open a local account. At GeCrypto, for example, you can sell USDT for US dollars and collect the cash at our Tbilisi office. This works for tourists as well as people who've recently moved to Georgia and haven't opened a bank account yet.

You can also have the money sent to your bank account. Before arranging this, check with the team about your bank, the currency and the expected arrival time. Completing the exchange doesn't mean the bank transfer will arrive immediately, particularly if the money is going abroad.

Choosing an exchange service

Crypto exchange services in Georgia must register with the National Bank as Virtual Asset Service Providers, or VASPs. This registration is commonly referred to as a crypto licence. You can check a provider's status in the National Bank's register.

The name in the register may differ from the name above the door. GeCrypto, for instance, is registered under SMARTFINSERVICE LLC, registration number 0018-9404. Those are the details to look for.

Agree on the terms before sending any funds. Ask how many dollars you'll receive for the amount of USDT you want to sell. Comparing these final amounts is more useful than looking at advertised commission rates alone.

Why you'll need ID

A licensed provider must verify who its customers are. This identity check, known as KYC, is required under anti-money laundering legislation. It applies to cash transactions too.

GeCrypto accepts foreign passports and national ID cards. If you plan to use an ID card, ask the team whether your particular document is accepted. You may also need to fill in a form, provide your address and take a photo for verification.

The provider may ask where your funds came from or request supporting documents. What's needed depends on the transaction, so check ahead if you're exchanging a large amount. GeCrypto serves customers aged 18 and over, subject to applicable sanctions restrictions.

How the exchange works

Say you want to sell USDT for cash. Start by messaging the team with the amount you'd like to exchange and let them know you want US dollars. They'll give you a quote and explain how to verify your identity. At GeCrypto, you can do this online before coming to the office.

You'll receive a wallet address and the name of the network to use. Pay attention to the network: USDT exists on several blockchains, and you need to select the one specified by the provider in the app you're sending from. Choosing USDT alone isn't enough. If you haven't done this before, ask a member of staff for help before you send.

The platform you're sending from may charge a withdrawal fee. Check whether it deducts this from the amount you enter or charges it on top. This affects how much USDT reaches the provider and how much cash you'll receive.

Once your transfer has arrived and the required checks are complete, you'll receive your cash. GeCrypto also provides a transaction receipt. Keep it: if you later need to explain where the cash came from, it records the sale of your crypto.

The time this takes depends on the sending platform and confirmation times on the network, so leave enough time before the office closes. For a large exchange, arrange your visit ahead of time so the cash can be reserved.

Visiting GeCrypto

Our office is at 5 Kote Marjanishvili Street in Tbilisi. We work with international customers who want to sell crypto for US dollar cash, receive a bank transfer or buy crypto and receive it in their own wallet.

Before you visit, message us with the asset and amount you'd like to exchange. We'll confirm the rate, tell you which documents to bring and arrange a time. If it's your first exchange, let us know so we can walk you through the app and explain what to check before sending your funds.