TON Foundation Clarifies UAE Golden Visa Initiative Misunderstanding

The TON Foundation has issued a clarification regarding a misleading announcement about a UAE Golden Visa initiative. The foundation denied any formal partnership with the UAE government for such a program, stating that the initiative is an exploratory effort in collaboration with a licensed partner specializing in blockchain infrastructure and tokenized assets. This clarification comes after widespread social media reports suggested that digital asset investors could gain UAE residency through staking TON tokens.

Over the weekend, TON promotions 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 alternative to traditional routes that require real estate investments exceeding $500,000. However, UAE authorities swiftly refuted these claims. In a joint statement released July 7, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) denied any such initiative.

The ICP clarified that Golden Visas remain limited to applicants who meet specific eligibility criteria, such as real estate investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and exceptional talents, with digital asset holders not currently included. The SCA added that virtual assets are regulated under a separate legal structure unrelated to residency pathways, while VARA confirmed that TON is not licensed or authorized to operate within the UAE’s regulatory framework.

In its July 7 statement, TON explained that the initiative in question is an exploratory effort in collaboration with a licensed partner specializing in blockchain infrastructure and tokenized assets, but is developing entirely outside any formal arrangement with UAE government entities. TON emphasized that while the collaboration seeks to explore compliant, blockchain-based frameworks that could one day support real-world residency pathways, it is still in early development. The statement also emphasized that any visa application decisions remain at the discretion of UAE authorities.

The announcement drew industry criticism for its initial marketing approach. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao called it “aggressive/misleading marketing.” TON said it welcomed the UAE’s joint statement, reaffirming its commitment to regulatory transparency and responsible development. The foundation added that any future official involvement in Golden Visa programs would be communicated transparently through the appropriate channels.

The TON Foundation continues to focus on integrating real-world assets with digital infrastructure in its broader efforts to bring tokenized services on-chain. The clarification from the TON Foundation and the UAE authorities underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and transparency in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape. The incident highlights the need for clear communication and adherence to legal frameworks when promoting blockchain-based initiatives, especially those involving residency and immigration benefits.