UAE Golden Visa Is ‘Being Developed Independently’ — TON Foundation

The TON Foundation has clarified that its proposed UAE Golden Visa offering, which would allow users to gain long-term residency in exchange for staking Toncoin, is currently being developed independently and is not officially affiliated with the United Arab Emirates government.

Earlier this week, the foundation stirred excitement across the crypto space by announcing what appeared to be a groundbreaking program. The offer promised a 10-year UAE Golden Visa to individuals who stake a minimum of $100,000 in Toncoin for three years and pay a processing fee of $35,000. It also promised visa approval within seven weeks and coverage for immediate family members, while letting applicants earn up to 4% annual yield on their staked crypto.

The announcement led to a temporary surge in Toncoin’s price, with many seeing the move as a major step forward in linking crypto assets with real-world residency benefits. However, the lack of clarity around government involvement quickly sparked skepticism. Critics, including high-profile figures in the crypto industry, questioned the legitimacy of the program given the absence of any official communication from UAE authorities.

In response, the TON Foundation issued a statement emphasizing that the initiative is in its early development stage and is being built in partnership with a licensed service provider. However, it stressed that the program has not been officially approved or endorsed by any UAE government agency. According to the foundation, all final decisions regarding Golden Visa eligibility rest solely with the UAE government.

Soon after the program gained attention, three key UAE regulatory bodies issued statements distancing themselves from the project. They reiterated that the country’s Golden Visa is currently reserved for certain eligible categories such as real estate investors, professionals, scientists, and exceptional talents. The regulators made it clear that digital asset staking does not qualify as an accepted route to Golden Visa status under existing laws.

The clarification came as a blow to many in the crypto community who had hoped this would be a new frontier for blockchain adoption in real-world applications. While TON Foundation maintains that it is exploring new ways to make visa acquisition more accessible through digital innovation, it acknowledged the importance of complying with UAE laws and procedures.

Despite the setback, the announcement reflects a growing interest in bridging the world of digital assets with real-world benefits. Whether or not the TON initiative eventually becomes a fully sanctioned program, it highlights the direction in which many blockchain projects are heading towards offering real utility beyond trading and speculation.

For now, the public is advised to rely solely on official UAE channels for accurate information regarding the Golden Visa programs. Meanwhile, TON continues to develop its proposal, with the hope that future dialogue with authorities might eventually lead to a formal and compliant offering.