Binance Founder Warns of Unverified UAE Crypto Visa Program

Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, has expressed caution regarding the recent announcement by the TON Foundation of a UAE Golden Visa program linked to cryptocurrency staking. The program, which allows users to stake $100,000 worth of TON tokens and pay a $35,000 fee to become eligible for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa, has not been officially verified by any UAE government channels. Zhao advised the crypto community to adopt a "trust but verify" approach before taking any action.

Zhao's comments come at a time when the crypto space is witnessing an increase in real-world applications. However, his cautious stance serves as a reminder for users to seek government confirmation before committing significant capital. The TON visa initiative claims to offer a simpler and more cost-effective path to UAE residency compared to traditional investment routes. Participants stake $100,000 in TON tokens for three years, with the staked tokens potentially earning 3–4% interest annually. The application reportedly covers family members and takes less than seven weeks to process.

Despite the excitement surrounding the TON visa offer, there is skepticism within the community. Experts have pointed out that visa approvals typically require official auditing, government partnerships, and legal oversight, none of which have been confirmed for this program. Zhao hinted that if the TON program is legitimate, Binance might explore a similar initiative using BNB. This could open the door for BNB holders to gain long-term UAE residency through staking, adding another layer of utility to Binance’s native token.

If Binance were to pursue this, it would mark a significant step in crypto adoption by aligning digital assets with real-world residency programs. However, the situation remains uncertain, and the community is advised to wait for official government endorsement before taking any action. The idea of earning a UAE Golden Visa by staking crypto is innovative and appealing, especially to global crypto investors. While Zhao’s interest in bringing BNB into a similar framework is encouraging, the community should remain cautious until an official government endorsement is in place.