TON Foundation Clarifies UAE Golden Visa Proposal After Government Pushback

Earlier this month, the TON Foundation launched what it described as a “pilot program” offering a 10-year UAE Golden Visa to individuals who stake $100,000 worth of Toncoin (TON) for a period of at least three years. The offer quickly gained traction online, amplified by Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s public endorsement and further attention from crypto influencers.

However, the initiative came under scrutiny when multiple UAE regulatory bodies issued a joint statement denying any formal involvement with the TON Foundation. These authorities included the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

In their joint statement, the agencies emphasized that no digital asset or cryptocurrency holdings currently qualify an individual for the issuance of Golden Visas in the UAE. The authorities warned the public to rely only on official government channels for visa-related information and to be wary of unverified residency schemes marketed via crypto platforms.

The Golden Visa is a long-term residence program introduced by the UAE, primarily aimed at attracting foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals. Eligibility requirements vary, but typically include a real estate or similar investment of around $545,000 USD (AED 2 million). In recent years, the program has expanded to include tech innovators and digital professionals, but it still operates under strict criteria overseen by government institutions.

In response to the government’s rebuke, the TON Foundation issued a clarification asserting that its residency initiative was still in the exploratory stage and had not yet received formal approval from UAE authorities. “No official Golden Visa program has launched in partnership with the government of the United Arab Emirates, nor has any governmental endorsement been granted to TON,” the Foundation said, noting that the program is being developed independently and any offering would be subject to all applicable laws and regulations.

The Foundation emphasized that its intent was to work with licensed UAE service providers to build a compliant path toward residency for the TON community.

Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao was among those who raised concerns about the legitimacy of the TON visa program prior to the UAE’s intervention. CZ questioned the regulatory foundation of such a crypto-for-visa offering and encouraged users to verify any such initiatives directly with local authorities.

The proposal had initially been viewed as part of a broader trend of crypto projects integrating real-world utility, especially in jurisdictions like the UAE that have embraced digital assets. The UAE has positioned itself as a regional crypto hub, licensing exchanges such as Binance and Bybit under VARA’s regime.

In the TON Foundation’s case, the backlash likely stemmed less from the technology itself and more from the lack of regulatory coordination.

Moving forward, the TON Foundation says it plans to work closely with licensed local partners and to seek clarity from UAE authorities before continuing the initiative.

As crypto-native organizations like the TON Foundation continue to push the boundaries of utility and community integration, this episode serves as a reminder that innovation in sensitive areas, such as residency rights, requires more than technological execution. It demands regulatory foresight, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to public trust.