While stablecoins gain traction as global payment solutions, a legal gray area emerges for residents of countries with domestic crypto bans. Travelers from restricted jurisdictions now leverage cryptocurrency for international transactions - a practice that remains technically legal despite conflicting national policies.
Georgian travel agency Tripzy's recent adoption of USDT payments highlights this emerging trend. The company reports growing demand from tourists facing currency controls in their home countries. "Cryptocurrency provides financial flexibility when traditional options fail," explains a Tripzy representative, noting particular interest from Russian and Turkish travelers.
Legal experts confirm this practice operates in a regulatory blind spot. Turkish attorney Meric Paldimoglu clarifies: "National laws typically govern domestic transactions - they don't extend to purchases made abroad." Russian blockchain analyst Yuriy Brisov adds that Moscow's crypto payment ban specifically targets local commercial use, not overseas spending.
The FATF's 2025 report sounds alarms about stablecoins' increasing role in circumventing financial controls. 【Data shows】 illicit stablecoin transactions grew 210% since 2024, with sanctioned entities reportedly exploiting cross-border payment channels.
Brisov warns: "When crypto flows through neutral jurisdictions like Georgia, it creates compliance challenges for international sanctions regimes." The analyst suggests such transactions could trigger regulatory scrutiny if patterns of systematic evasion emerge.
Countries maintaining crypto payment bans face mounting pressure to clarify their cross-border transaction policies. The FATF plans a dedicated stablecoin study for early 2026, potentially reshaping global crypto commerce rules.
——This developing situation presents both opportunities for financial inclusion and challenges for international oversight——. As payment technologies evolve faster than regulations, businesses and travelers navigate uncharted legal waters where geographic boundaries no longer neatly contain digital asset flows.