The Parliament of Georgia has approved in its first reading a bill granting the National Bank the right to issue a digital lari.
The legislature is considering the amendments to the Law on the National Bank under an expedited procedure.
According to the explanatory note, “the bill establishes a legal framework for defining the status of the digital lari, which will allow the National Bank to carry out various pilot projects in this area.”
The amendment grants the National Bank the right, rather than an obligation, to issue the digital lari.
As noted in the explanatory note, because the development of a digital currency requires the procurement of research services, the amendments may affect the expenditure side of the National Bank of Georgia’s budget. The scale of these expenses will depend on whether the central bank deems it necessary to exercise these powers.
In addition to the digital lari, the bill also tightens the criteria for candidates seeking membership on the Board of the National Bank.
The National Bank is responsible for monetary policy; its mandate includes issuing banknotes and maintaining overall control of the money supply.
Work on the digital lari was launched back in 2021, although in 2025 the regulator noted a decline in global interest in digital currencies.
