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- The TON Foundation introduced a program that allows individuals to apply for a 10-year UAE residency by staking $100,000 worth of TON.
- UAE government agencies have denied recent online claims that the country is offering Golden Visas or residency through new, unofficial channels.
On July 6, the team behind Toncoin (TON) introduced a new initiative that immediately caught the crypto world’s attention. The concept was that anyone willing to stake $100,000 worth of Toncoin, for three years, could become eligible to apply for a 10-year Golden Visa in the United Arab Emirates.
The offer came with a one-time processing fee of $35,000 and promised full control over the staked funds through a secure smart contract. This makes it clear that the money wasn’t being spent or donated, just temporarily locked.
On top of that, the staked funds would generate a projected annual return of 3–4%, giving applicants a modest yield while they waited. What really stood out, though, was the program’s inclusivity: it extended to their spouse, children, and even parents. What is the expected timeline for visa approval? Around seven weeks, remarkably quick for a residency pathway.
Compared to traditional Golden Visa routes, which often require a property or business investment of at least $540,000, Toncoin’s approach looked far more accessible.
If approved, the original stake would remain untouched for 36 months, after which the user could unlock both their Toncoin and any rewards it had earned. On paper, it sounded like a win-win for crypto-savvy investors, remote workers, and global citizens looking for a more flexible, future-forward path to living in one of the world’s most innovation-friendly countries.
As expected, the crypto community went into a frenzy. Social media lit up with reactions ranging from excitement to disbelief. Investors began buying TON in anticipation, pushing the price up over 10% in 24 hours, momentarily breaching the $3 mark. Others hailed it as “the next level of crypto utility”, a tangible bridge between digital assets and real-world benefits.
The message was clear: Blockchain assets could become valid instruments in global economic systems, not just speculative tokens. But then came the curveball.
The UAE Government Pushes Back
Just as momentum was building, UAE authorities issued a rare and direct rebuttal. In a statement shared across multiple official channels, including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, the UAE government clarified that: “Digital asset staking is not a recognized path to UAE Golden Visa eligibility.”
Further reinforcing the message, Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) both stated that Toncoin’s initiative was not licensed or endorsed in any formal capacity.
While the government allows Golden Visas through business formation, investment, and talent recognition, cryptocurrency staking is not on the list, at least not yet.
After UAE authorities denied the claims, Toncoin took a noticeable hit, dropping about 10% and settling around $2.75. Looking ahead, the next key price hurdle is $3.20, and if TON can break through that, it might open the door for a climb toward the $3.50 mark.
