Why Georgia Attracts Crypto Founders from Europe and Asia
- Tinatin Tolordava
- Jan 5
- 10 min read
Table of contents
A New Crypto Crossroads
Between the overregulated markets of Europe and the high-cost, tightly controlled environments of Asia, there’s a country quietly becoming one of the world’s most attractive crypto destinations, Georgia.
Founders are moving their startups here for a simple reason: it works.
It’s fast to set up a company. Taxes are low. Crypto is legal. Banking is accessible. And most importantly, regulators understand that digital finance needs space to grow, not constant intervention.
In just a few years, Georgia has become a strategic hub where European innovation meets Asian scale, a sweet spot for Web3 builders, crypto miners, payment startups, and DAOs.
So, why are crypto founders from Europe and Asia relocating here, and how does Georgia manage to combine simplicity, legality, and opportunity?
Let’s unpack it.
The Perfect Position Between Europe and Asia
Georgia’s geography tells half the story. It sits at the literal crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, connected by major trade routes and data infrastructure.
For founders, that translates into something tangible: access.
Time zone overlap with both EU capitals and Asian financial centers.
Direct business connections to Estonia, Poland, Turkey, Singapore, and the UAE.
Visa-free entry for citizens of 90+ countries, including the EU, UK, and most of Asia.
One-year stays allowed without a residence permit, perfect for digital entrepreneurs and remote workers.
Add to that reliable fiber-optic internet, affordable living costs, and a strong English-speaking talent pool, and Georgia starts to look like the ideal place to run a remote-first, globally connected crypto business.
It’s also a rare jurisdiction where you can register a company remotely, open a bank account online, and get compliant within days, no flights, no bureaucracy, no hidden barriers.
Crypto Is Legal, and Clearly Defined
Let’s be honest: many founders left Europe and Asia because of regulatory confusion.In the EU, crypto is wrapped in a thick layer of MiCA, AMLD6, and evolving FATF enforcement. In Asia, founders deal with uncertainty, China bans, India’s tax ambiguity, and Singapore’s tightening oversight.
Georgia is different.
Crypto is completely legal here and recognized as digital property under Georgian law. That classification gives businesses flexibility, and clarity, without unnecessary licensing.
Here’s what that means in practice:
You can mine, stake, trade, or hold crypto freely.
Crypto payments are legal if the final settlement is made in GEL (Georgian Lari).
Crypto-to-fiat conversions are VAT-free.
VASP registration (under the National Bank of Georgia) is only required if your company holds or transfers assets for clients, like an exchange or custodial wallet.
For most Web3 founders, DAOs, and blockchain developers, that means no license needed. Just compliance with AML/KYC standards, which are simple, digital, and globally recognized.
This combination, legal clarity with light compliance, is exactly what founders from Europe and Asia have been searching for.
A Tax Environment Designed for Crypto
If you compare tax systems across Europe and Asia, Georgia’s approach stands out immediately.
Corporate Tax, Keep What You Earn
Georgia uses a distributive model similar to Estonia’s, but even more flexible.
Corporate tax (15%) applies only when profits are distributed as dividends.
Retained profits are untaxed, so companies can reinvest freely.
That alone makes it more founder-friendly than nearly every EU jurisdiction. But it gets even better through special regimes built specifically for tech and crypto businesses:
1. Virtual Zone Status
0% corporate tax on foreign-sourced IT and blockchain income.
No VAT on exports.
Ideal for Web3 development, blockchain SaaS, and smart contract projects.
2. International Company Status
5% corporate tax.
0% dividend tax.
5% payroll tax.
Tailored for crypto exchanges, fintechs, and iGaming companies that want a physical presence.
3. Free Industrial Zones (FIZs)
0% corporate tax.
0% VAT.
No import duties.
Designed for crypto mining and infrastructure businesses.
And it doesn’t stop there.Contractors working under Georgia’s Individual Entrepreneur regime pay just 1% turnover tax (up to GEL 500,000), and employees are taxed at a flat 5% income tax.
That’s it. No social contributions. No hidden payroll deductions.
For founders used to paying 30–40% in Europe or Singapore, this is a complete paradigm shift.
Banking That Works for Crypto
Let’s talk about one of the biggest pain points for any crypto founder: banking.
Most European banks still reject crypto-related companies outright. Asian institutions allow it, but with costly compliance and constant monitoring.
Georgia’s banking environment, by contrast, is open, provided you stay compliant.
Here’s how it works through Gegidze:
Remote bank account setup in 3–5 business days, no Power of Attorney required.
Accounts in GEL, USD, and EUR, integrated with major payment systems.
Crypto-to-fiat conversion handled legally at 1.2–1.5% exchange rates.
AML and FATF-aligned documentation automatically prepared for each transaction.
That means your crypto business can receive funds, pay employees, and run international operations smoothly, all within Georgian law.
It’s one of the only jurisdictions where founders can actually operate in crypto instead of just holding it.
Founders Leaving Europe and Asia, Why Georgia Is the New Choice
Let’s break down the migration trend.
Europe’s Overregulation
The EU’s MiCA regulation adds licensing and reporting layers for crypto service providers.
Payroll and social taxes are among the highest in the world.
Banks still restrict accounts for crypto-related entities.
For many European founders, innovation feels trapped under paperwork.
Asia’s High Entry Barriers
Singapore and Hong Kong offer stability but at a premium, high office costs, strict AML requirements, and limited remote flexibility.
India taxes crypto gains at 30% and still lacks clear frameworks for startups.
China restricts trading and mining outright.
Georgia’s Alternative
Transparent regulation with FATF-aligned AML/KYC rules.
Tax rates from 0% to 5% for companies and 1% to 5% for individuals.
Simple, remote registration process.
Open banking and fast international transfers.
In short, Europe brings rules, Asia brings costs, Georgia brings freedom.
The Founder’s Experience: Speed, Simplicity, and Scale
Imagine you’re a Web3 entrepreneur from Berlin or Singapore.You’ve built a product, raised funding, and now you need a compliant base for crypto payroll, client billing, and reinvestment.
In Georgia, the process looks like this:
Register your LLC in 1–2 days, remotely.
Open a bank account in 3–5 days through Gegidze.
Apply for Virtual Zone or International Company status.
Send and receive crypto legally, with compliant fiat conversions.
Pay employees and contractors with tax rates from 1% to 5%.
No red tape. No license purgatory. No bureaucratic dead ends.
That speed is exactly why founders are moving their core operations, and sometimes entire teams, to Georgia.
The Bigger Picture: A Bridge Between Regions
Georgia doesn’t compete with Europe or Asia, it connects them.
European founders gain access to a jurisdiction with clear crypto laws and global payment freedom.Asian founders gain proximity to European clients and compliance credibility under FATF standards.
And everyone benefits from:
Low corporate and personal taxes.
Transparent regulations.
Global banking connectivity.
An emerging tech ecosystem built for cross-border operations.
It’s not about relocation; it’s about simplification, the ability to run your crypto business legally, efficiently, and profitably from a neutral, business-friendly base.
The Industries Driving Georgia’s Crypto Boom
Georgia’s growth as a crypto hub isn’t theoretical, it’s grounded in real industries building and scaling from here.
1. Web3 and Blockchain Development
Web3 startups form the backbone of Georgia’s new economy. Many operate under Virtual Zone status, which grants 0% corporate tax on income earned from foreign clients.
That means a blockchain developer in Tbilisi or Batumi pays no corporate tax on building dApps, managing smart contracts, or creating DeFi platforms for global customers.
There’s no VAT on exports, no complex licensing, and, thanks to Gegidze, full access to international banking and compliant payroll.
Why it works: The Virtual Zone framework treats software and blockchain development as export services, making Georgia one of the world’s most cost-efficient launchpads for Web3 companies.
2. DAOs and Global Teams
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations face the same issue worldwide: they’re decentralized by design, but contributors still need to be paid legally.
Georgia solved that puzzle.
Through Gegidze’s crypto payroll solution, DAOs can send crypto payments that are converted to fiat and distributed as legal salaries in GEL, USD, or EUR.
Employees under EOR (Employer of Record) contracts pay just 5% income tax.
Contractors registered as Individual Entrepreneurs (IEs) pay 1% turnover tax on up to GEL 500,000 yearly.
That structure allows DAOs to stay fully compliant while contributors maintain official income records for visas, loans, or tax declarations.
It’s a system built for how Web3 actually works, global, flexible, and decentralized.
3. iGaming and Payment Platforms
iGaming platforms and digital payment providers have found Georgia to be the ideal base for cross-border operations.
Under International Company status, they pay 5% corporate tax and 0% dividend tax.
International revenue qualifies as an export, so there’s no VAT.
Payroll costs drop dramatically, 5% for employees, 1% for contractors.
Combined with Georgia’s fast incorporation and open banking system, it’s no surprise that iGaming and payment firms from Malta, Cyprus, and Singapore are setting up satellite operations here.
Why it works: Georgia offers a tax and compliance model that keeps these industries legitimate, without stripping away their speed or scalability.
4. Crypto Mining and Infrastructure
While many jurisdictions have banned or overregulated mining, Georgia continues to support it, responsibly.
Companies setting up in Free Industrial Zones (FIZs) enjoy:
0% corporate tax.
0% VAT.
No import duties on mining equipment.
Access to reliable, affordable energy.
That’s why Georgia’s Kutaisi and Poti FIZs have become major operational hubs for mining and blockchain infrastructure companies.
Why it works: Georgia keeps mining legal, efficient, and sustainable, a stark contrast to bans seen across Europe and Asia.
Case Study: From Berlin to Tbilisi
Consider Alex, a Web3 founder from Berlin. His startup built blockchain tools for global clients, but rising compliance costs in the EU were eating into profits.
In Germany, corporate tax hit 30%, payroll tax exceeded 40%, and opening a crypto-friendly bank account was nearly impossible.
Then Alex found Georgia.
Company registered remotely in two days.
Bank account opened in five days via Gegidze.
Applied for Virtual Zone status, now paying 0% corporate tax.
Pays developers through Gegidze’s crypto-to-fiat payroll at 5% employee tax or 1% contractor tax.
No VAT on international client revenue.
His comment?
“Georgia isn’t just crypto-friendly. It’s business-friendly. It’s where I can actually build instead of explaining my business to regulators.”
Alex’s story isn’t unique. Founders from Estonia, Poland, Singapore, and the UAE are following the same path, setting up in Georgia for its mix of legal clarity, low tax, and operational freedom.
Why Georgia Works for Both European and Asian Founders
Georgia sits at the sweet intersection of global opportunity, bridging Europe’s stability with Asia’s dynamism.
For European Founders:
Escape high tax burdens.
Retain EU-style transparency and rule of law.
Access FATF-compliant banking without crypto bans.
Lower operating costs while staying close to European clients.
For Asian Founders:
Gain credibility through FATF-aligned regulation.
Avoid costly corporate structures in Hong Kong or Singapore.
Use Georgia as a strategic base for European market expansion.
Benefit from fast, low-cost banking and remote incorporation.
For both, Georgia represents a middle ground, a base where innovation isn’t punished by regulation.
Why Founders Trust Gegidze
Regulation and compliance can feel like a maze. Gegidze turns it into a straight line.
Here’s how Gegidze supports crypto founders from Europe and Asia building in Georgia:
1. Fast Company Registration
LLC registration completed remotely in 1–2 days.
Support for Virtual Zone, International Company, or FIZ applications.
2. Remote Banking Access
Open accounts in 3–5 business days with no Power of Attorney.
Multi-currency accounts integrated with crypto-to-fiat conversion.
3. Legal and Tax Optimization
Corporate tax as low as 0–5%.
Payroll setup: 5% employee tax, 1% contractor tax.
Tax filings and compliance handled automatically.
4. Crypto Payroll for Global Teams
Receive crypto, convert to fiat (1.2–1.5% exchange rate), pay employees legally.
AML/KYC and FATF documentation included.
Ideal for DAOs, Web3 teams, and global startups.
5. Long-Term Compliance Support
FATF-aligned AML and KYC policies.
VASP registration management (if required).
Continuous legal updates as Georgian law evolves.
Gegidze isn’t just a setup partner, it’s the infrastructure layer that keeps your business compliant, efficient, and globally credible.
How Georgia Compares: A Founder’s Quick Overview
Factor
Georgia
Europe (Estonia, Germany)
Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong)
Company Setup
1–2 days (remote)
2–4 weeks
3–6 weeks
Corporate Tax
0–5% (special regimes)
20–30%
9–17%
Payroll Tax
1–5%
30–40%
20–25%
Crypto Regulation
Legal, clear, FATF-aligned
Tightening
Heavily monitored
Banking Access
Remote setup in 3–5 days
Restricted for crypto
High compliance cost
Best Fit For
Web3, DAOs, Mining, iGaming
EU-licensed fintech
Regional HQs
The difference is clear: Georgia offers more flexibility per unit of compliance than any other jurisdiction in its class.
The Future: Georgia’s Crypto Ecosystem Is Just Getting Started
Georgia isn’t just attracting founders, it’s nurturing a full ecosystem around them.
Local universities are launching blockchain research programs.
Co-working spaces and incubators in Tbilisi are filled with Web3 teams.
Partnerships between banks, payment processors, and crypto firms are expanding fast.
Add to that the government’s continued support for Virtual Zones, International Companies, and FATF-aligned banking, and it’s clear: Georgia isn’t a temporary crypto refuge, it’s the next-generation launchpad for global founders.
Conclusion: A Simple, Smart Base for Global Crypto Builders
The choice between Europe, Asia, and Georgia is no longer about geography, it’s about freedom to operate.
In Georgia, you can:
Register your company in days, not weeks.
Pay 1–5% tax on income and salaries.
Access open, compliant banking.
Build your business without fear of regulatory whiplash.
For crypto founders tired of navigating red tape, Georgia offers something rare, stability without stagnation.
And with Gegidze, every step, from registration to payroll and compliance, is handled by experts who understand crypto inside and out.
Thinking about moving your crypto operations to Georgia?
Book a consultation with Gegidze today. Get your company registered, your bank account opened, and your team paid, all within one week, fully compliant and globally scalable.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Why are crypto founders from Europe and Asia choosing Georgia?
Georgia offers low taxes, fast company registration, and a clear legal framework for crypto. Founders benefit from 0–5% corporate tax, 1–5% payroll tax, remote banking setup, and no VAT on crypto conversions. Combined with full FATF compliance, Georgia gives European and Asian founders flexibility with global credibility.
Is crypto legal in Georgia?
Yes. Crypto is fully legal and recognized as property under Georgian law. You can trade, mine, stake, and use crypto for business payments. Only custodial exchanges or wallet providers need VASP registration. Salaries and contractor payouts can be made in crypto if converted into GEL or fiat through compliant channels.
What tax benefits does Georgia offer for crypto companies?
Georgia’s tax regimes make it one of the most crypto-friendly jurisdictions:
Virtual Zone: 0% corporate tax on foreign-sourced blockchain and IT income.
International Company: 5% corporate tax, 0% dividend tax, and 5% payroll tax.
Free Industrial Zones: 0% corporate tax, 0% VAT, and no import duties on mining equipment.
Can foreign founders register a crypto company in Georgia remotely?
Yes. With Gegidze, foreign founders can register an LLC or International Company remotely in 1–2 days, open a bank account in 3–5 days, and start operations immediately. No Power of Attorney or physical presence is required.
How does Gegidze help international crypto founders?
Gegidze provides an all-in-one solution for global founders:
Remote company registration and banking setup.
Payroll services (5% tax for employees, 1% for contractors).
Legal crypto-to-fiat conversion at 1.2–1.5% rates.
AML/KYC and FATF compliance management.
Applications for Virtual Zone, International Company, or FIZ status.
What industries benefit most from Georgia’s crypto framework?
Web3 startups, DAOs, iGaming platforms, crypto miners, and fintech projects gain the most. Each can use Georgia’s tax incentives and legal structure to operate globally with minimal compliance barriers and maximum cost efficiency.
