The Open Network (TON) Foundation has issued a formal clarification regarding its involvement in a recently publicized UAE Golden Visa initiative, distancing itself from earlier claims that suggested an official partnership with the Emirati government.
In a blog post published Monday, the foundation stated it is merely exploring the possibility of facilitating a long-term residency path in the United Arab Emirates through a licensed partner. The initiative is, according to TON, still in its early stages and “subject to UAE laws and regulatory oversight.”
“To clarify, 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 statement read.
The move comes after a wave of media coverage over the weekend portrayed the program as an officially sanctioned path to a 10-year UAE residency in exchange for staking $100,000 worth of Toncoin. The Foundation’s latest statement appears to aim at correcting those interpretations and setting more accurate expectations.
Official UAE Agencies Reject Claims of Crypto-Based Residency
TON’s clarification followed swift responses from key regulatory agencies in the UAE, including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, the Securities and Commodities Authority, and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. In a joint statement, these entities emphasized that digital asset holdings do not qualify applicants for any official residency program.
The initial buzz around the Toncoin-based visa offer was amplified on social media, in part due to a retweet by Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Though Durov has not issued any clarification, his retweet — which remains live — helped drive visibility around the claim.
Adding to the skepticism, former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao raised questions over the legitimacy of the offer even before the TON Foundation posted its follow-up blog.
While there is no confirmation that TON will be coordinating future efforts with the UAE government, the original proposal promised 10-year residency for crypto users who stake $100,000 worth of Toncoin — significantly lower than traditional requirements for the UAE’s Golden Visa, which often include investments upward of $540,000 in illiquid assets such as property.
Global Trend: Crypto-Based Residency Offers Gain Popularity
While TON’s residency initiative may have stumbled out of the gate, the concept of using crypto to unlock legal residency is gaining traction around the globe. Countries such as Portugal and the United States have already launched residency-by-investment programs that appeal to wealthy individuals — including those in crypto.
Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Program allows non-EU nationals to gain citizenship after five years, with one pathway involving crypto investments worth at least $500,000. Although not explicitly tied to digital assets, the program has proven attractive to crypto entrepreneurs and investors seeking regulatory flexibility within the EU.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., President Donald Trump introduced a “gold card” visa program in February 2025, aimed at ultra-wealthy individuals. Applicants willing to invest $5 million or more can qualify for residency. As of mid-June, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed around 70,000 people had already signed up.
The TON Foundation’s pitch appears to tap into this broader trend. However, without government backing or regulatory clarity, its proposed model remains speculative for now — a reminder that crypto-native pathways to residency still operate in legal gray zones until formally recognized.
Quick Facts
- TON Foundation clarified it has no official UAE Golden Visa partnership.
- UAE government regulators denied any crypto-based visa programs exist.
- The proposed $100K Toncoin-staking route is significantly cheaper than standard UAE residency requirements.
- Similar crypto-linked residency programs exist in Portugal and the U.S.
