Georgia’s Tripzy Unlocks Crypto Payments as USDT Adoption Grows

- Tripzy now accepts the USDT stablecoin via CityPay infrastructure. - Regulatory nuances in Russia and Turkey highlight global crypto challenges. On June 27, 2025, Cointelegraph reported that Georgian travel agency Tripzy now accepts USDT payments. This development creates both opportunities and risks related to cross-border crypto regulations by catering to international clients, particularly citizens from countries where domestic cryptocurrency payments are restricted but cross-border transactions are legally permissible. Legal experts note that while nations like Russia and Turkey prohibit domestic cryptocurrency payments, their laws do not explicitly restrict citizens from using crypto for services abroad. A Turkish lawyer clarified that the country's ban applies mainly to its licensed institutions, and similarly, a Russian legal expert stated that individuals are not prohibited from using cryptocurrency for payments outside Russia. This legal gray area highlights how cryptocurrency regulations differ significantly across jurisdictions. Tripzy's adoption of USDT for international travelers could attract scrutiny from global regulators, particularly the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which has previously raised concerns about the use of stablecoins in illicit financial activities. As a result, Georgia could face international regulatory pressure if it becomes a major hub for Russian funds or similar cross-border transactions, especially amid increasing scrutiny of cryptocurrency's role in cross-border finance. According to market data, Tether USDt (USDT) was trading at $1 as of June 27 at 15:08 UTC. Its 24-hour trading volume showed a change of 0.006%.