The foundation behind Open Network (TON) has issued a statement to clarify its role in programs that could lead to legal residence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Tong says the move is an independent initiative and there is no official support from the UAE government.
In the blog, the Foundation I said, “The Ton Foundation is aware of the premature announcements being distributed in X regarding Ton’s UAE Golden Visa initiative. We understand the community’s interest and enthusiasm, but we need to be clear.”
According to The Ton Foundation, it is in the early stages of development with approved partners to consider creating a UAE Golden Visa. The group also said the program’s authority resides entirely on UAE government agencies and is subject to applicable laws and regulations.
“To be clear, the official Golden Visa Program has not been launched in cooperation with the UAE government, and government approval has not been granted to TON.” I will read the official statement.
Ton Foundation supports the UAE joint statement
Initially, Ton announced on the Toncoin website, claiming that holders can apply for the country’s 10-year golden visa by staying at least $100,000 worth of cryptocurrency for three years and paying a one-time processing fee of $35,000.
The story was also traction after Telegram CEO Pavel Durov retweeted an X-post detailing the program.
destruction:
🇦🇪Ton has partnered with the UAE to provide Tonstakers with a 10-year Golden Visa.
– Bet $100,000 $ton for 3 years
– 10 years Dubai Golden Visa
– Includes spouse/family
– Government fees of $35,000Large-scale adoption of Crypto 🚀pic.twitter.com/uc7ywfv5hf
– Ash Crypto (@ashcryptoral) July 6, 2025
The announcement urged a prompt response from the UAE federal authorities for identity, citizenship, customs and port security, the Securities and Products Agency and virtual asset regulators. They issued a joint statement that the visa has not been issued to digital asset owners.
Ton responded to the United Arab Emirates’ reaction, “We fully support joint statements issued by federal authorities for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), Securities and Products Agency (SCA), and Virtual Asset Regulatory Authorities (VARA).
This is the second time Pavel Durov has announcement The project is too early. In May, the founder of Telegram said that Telegram had partnered with Elon Musk’s Xai. Soon afterwards, Musk revealed that the deal had not yet been signed.
Golden Visa Eligibility
The UAE government created the Golden Visa in 2019 as a long-term stay visa to bring skilled people into the area. According to the Federal Bureau for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, foreigners can live, work and study in the UAE without the need for sponsors from around the country. Visas last for 5-10 years.
Users must meet strict requirements, such as having specific skills such as doctors, scientists, researchers, etc. It can also be applied to entrepreneurs and investors who own technology-based startups listed and recognized by the UAE government.
Meanwhile, there is no word on whether the Ton Foundation will work with the UAE government in the future. Offering a golden visa for $100,000 on signed toncoins could be much cheaper than the usual way to get one through a regular channel.
Other countries have made it possible to become residents by making big investments, but these investments aren’t always tied to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
In Portugal, investors with more than $500,000 cryptocurrency can obtain citizenship through the country’s Golden Residence Permit Program, a five-year residential program for non-EU citizens.
US President Donald Trump announced the “Gold Card” program in February. The program will grant investors paying at least $5 million in permanent residency in the United States. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said as of June 17, about 70,000 people had signed up for the project.
