The TON Foundation Denies Launching Official UAE Golden Visa Initiative
The TON Foundation has recently clarified that it has not launched an official UAE Golden Visa initiative, dispelling rumors of a partnership between the blockchain project and the UAE government. Social media reports had suggested that investors could obtain UAE residency by staking TON tokens, but these claims have been refuted by UAE authorities.
Over the weekend, promotions for TON tokens claimed that individuals could secure a 10-year Golden Visa by staking $100,000 worth of TON tokens and paying a $35,000 processing fee. This was presented as a more accessible option compared to traditional routes that require real estate investments exceeding $500,000.
However, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued a joint statement on July 7 denying the existence of such an initiative. The ICP clarified that Golden Visas are currently limited to specific eligibility criteria, excluding digital asset holders.
The SCA emphasized that virtual assets are regulated separately from residency pathways, and VARA confirmed that TON is not authorized to operate within the UAE’s regulatory framework. In response, TON explained that the initiative being explored is in collaboration with a licensed partner in blockchain infrastructure and tokenized assets, but does not have any formal ties with UAE government entities.
While TON aims to develop compliant, blockchain-based frameworks for potential residency pathways, the foundation stressed that any visa application decisions ultimately lie with UAE authorities. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao criticized the initial marketing approach as “aggressive/misleading.”
TON expressed appreciation for the UAE’s joint statement, reaffirming its commitment to regulatory transparency and responsible development. The foundation clarified that any future involvement in Golden Visa programs would be communicated transparently through official channels.
Moving forward, the TON Foundation remains focused on integrating real-world assets with digital infrastructure to facilitate tokenized services on-chain. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing exploration of blockchain solutions for potential residency pathways.
Mentioned in this article: TON Foundation, UAE Golden Visa, TON tokens, Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Securities and Commodities Authority, Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, Binance, Changpeng Zhao.