Tether, the largest company in the digital asset industry; Pave Bank, a corporate and institutional bank at the intersection of digital assets and traditional finance; and the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Georgia-Singapore Fintech Scholars Program, an initiative aimed at connecting Georgia’s top-performing university students with Singapore’s world-leading fintech ecosystem and helping develop the next generation of globally connected fintech leaders.
Tether, Pave Bank and GFTN signed the MoU during a State Visit of the Government of Georgia to Singapore. It reflects Pave Bank’s and Tether’s commitment to investing in the leaders of tomorrow by giving Georgia’s top-performing minds access to a global perspective while removing the financial barriers that stand in their way. Scholars are expected to be immersed in one of Singapore’s leading universities and to explore opportunities to integrate into the fintech ecosystem of one of the world’s foremost financial centers.
GFTN is committed to building global talent corridors by connecting governments, universities, and industry to develop future-ready fintech capabilities across emerging and established financial centers.
Building a Georgia-Singapore Talent Corridor
Beginning in August 2027, the program aims to provide top-performing business and STEM undergraduates from Tbilisi State University (TSU) with the opportunity to spend a semester at Singapore Management University (SMU) while immersing themselves in Singapore’s globally recognized fintech ecosystem.
The MoU marks what the partners believe to be:
- The first institutional higher education exchange between Georgia and Singapore.
- The first privately funded fintech scholarship program connecting the two countries.
Over the next five years, the partners aim to select scholars through a comprehensive process led by program partners.
Connecting Talent to a Global Innovation Ecosystem
Beyond academic study, the program is designed as a comprehensive talent development journey that curates learning experiences, facilitates industry engagement, and provides mentorship throughout the scholars’ time in Singapore.
Each cohort is expected to undertake a capstone project that examines opportunities to strengthen the Georgia-Southeast Asia fintech corridor and to present its recommendations to senior leaders from Tether, Pave Bank, GFTN, and Tbilisi State University. Scholars who complete the program may also be offered internship opportunities with the program partners.
Scholars are also expected to join the GFTN Knowledge Circle, a lifelong community that blends knowledge sharing, peer learning, and exposure to GFTN’s global network, supporting them throughout their careers as they build meaningful relationships and grow as leaders in fintech.
Investing in Future Fintech Leaders
The program is funded by Pave Bank and Tether, demonstrating how industry can work alongside academia and international partners to build the talent pipeline needed for the next generation of financial innovation.
At Tether, we believe the future of financial innovation will be shaped by the talent we nurture today. To make that happen, we must open up global opportunities that empower young people to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond. Through this MoU with Pave Bank and GFTN, we are excited to give future leaders the resources they need to navigate the digital economy and contribute to a more inclusive financial future, both in their region and globally.
Paolo Ardoino, Chief Executive Officer, Tether
At Pave Bank, we believe investing in talent is investing in the future of finance. This program gives exceptional young minds from Georgia the opportunity to gain global experience, build meaningful connections, and return home with the skills and perspective to shape their country’s financial future. We have deliberately built it around one principle: aptitude, and nothing else. With private sector funding removing every financial barrier, selection comes down purely to merit – everyone has a shot.
Salim Dhanani, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Pave Bank
Talent is the foundation of every successful fintech ecosystem. Through the Georgia-Singapore Fintech Scholars Program, GFTN is connecting Georgia’s top-performing students with Singapore’s world-class financial ecosystem, helping cultivate future leaders who will strengthen innovation and collaboration between our two countries. This reflects GFTN’s broader mission of building global talent corridors that accelerate financial innovation and economic growth.
Sopnendu Mohanty, Group Chief Executive Officer, GFTN, and former Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore
Further details of the program are expected to be announced at the Second Tbilisi Finance Summit, to be held on 27-28 October 2026 at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace. GFTN is organizing the summit in partnership with the National Bank of Georgia and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.
According to Natia Turnava, Governor of the National Bank of Georgia, it is welcome that this important educational and professional partnership between Georgia and Singapore will embark on a new chapter at the Tbilisi Finance Summit.
This program will not only open up new opportunities for Georgian students, but will also further deepen cooperation between Georgia and Singapore in the areas of financial innovation, education, and human capital development.
Natia Turnava, Governor, National Bank of Georgia
ABOUT THE GLOBAL FINANCE & TECHNOLOGY NETWORK (GFTN)
The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) is a Singapore-headquartered not-for-profit organization established in 2024. With offices in Tokyo, Berlin, and India, GFTN’s mission is to bridge policy, capital, and technology to build financial systems that are resilient, efficient, and inclusive. GFTN Services hosts global forums across five continents, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers from over 130 countries. It offers policy advice to governments to promote financial technology innovation, inclusion, and capacity building. GFTN Capital will be a venture capital firm investing in growth-stage FinTechs globally. For more information, please visit www.gftn.co
ABOUT PAVE BANK
Pave Bank is a fully licensed commercial bank at the intersection of digital assets and traditional finance, redefining banking with modern financial infrastructure. Built for builders and operators, Pave Bank brings programmability into the regulated banking environment, giving businesses and institutions greater control over their financial operations alongside the risk, governance, and capital disciplines of a commercial bank. Learn more at www.pavebank.com
ABOUT TETHER AND USD₮
Tether is a pioneer in the field of stablecoin technology, driven by an aim to revolutionize the global financial landscape and provide accessible, secure, and efficient financial, communication, and energy infrastructure. Tether enables greater financial inclusion and communication resilience, fosters economic growth, and empowers individuals and businesses.
As the creator of the largest, most transparent, and liquid stablecoin in the industry, Tether is dedicated to building sustainable and resilient infrastructure for the benefit of underserved communities. By leveraging cutting-edge blockchain and peer-to-peer technology, it is committed to bridging the gap between traditional financial systems and the potential of decentralized finance.
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