Key Takeaways
• TON Foundation announced a UAE Golden Visa for staking $100,000 Toncoin plus a $35,000 fee in July 2025.
• UAE regulators denied the program within 24 hours; TON Foundation retracted the claim amid legal issues.
• UAE’s Golden Visa excludes digital asset holders; government enforces strict crypto licensing and immigration rules.
The TON Foundation’s UAE Golden Visa Announcement: What Really Happened and Why It Matters
In early July 2025, the TON Foundation made headlines by announcing a new path to the UAE Golden Visa for Toncoin holders. The program promised a 10-year residency for those willing to stake $100,000 worth of Toncoin and pay a $35,000 processing fee. Within 24 hours, however, UAE regulators denied the existence of such a program, forcing the TON Foundation to retract its statement. This incident not only shook the crypto world but also highlighted the importance of legal checks and clear communication in immigration and investment programs—especially in countries with strict rules like The United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪.
Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and what it means for crypto investors, Golden Visa applicants, and anyone interested in the future of residency-by-investment programs.
Who, What, When, Where, and Why: The Key Facts
Who: The TON Foundation, the organization behind the Toncoin cryptocurrency, and UAE regulators including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
What: An announcement of a new UAE Golden Visa program for Toncoin holders, followed by a swift denial from UAE authorities and a retraction by the TON Foundation.
When: The incident unfolded in early July 2025.
Where: The United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪, with a focus on Dubai, a major hub for crypto and global mobility.
Why: The TON Foundation aimed to offer a new, more accessible way for crypto investors to gain UAE residency, but ran into legal and regulatory barriers.
How the Incident Unfolded: A Timeline
Initial Announcement:
On a Saturday in early July 2025, the TON Foundation announced a program that would allow people to get a 10-year UAE Golden Visa by staking $100,000 in Toncoin for three years and paying a one-time $35,000 fee. This was marketed as a cheaper and easier alternative to the usual Golden Visa route, which often requires a real estate investment of over $500,000.
Regulatory Pushback:
Within a day, UAE regulators issued a joint statement denying the existence of any such program. They made it clear that Golden Visas are not given to digital asset holders and that TON was not licensed or regulated in the UAE. The statement came from the ICP, SCA, and VARA, all of which oversee different parts of the country’s immigration and crypto rules.
TON Foundation’s Clarification:
The TON Foundation quickly pulled back its announcement. The group explained that the idea was still in the early stages and that there was no official government support. CEO Max Crown stressed that visa approvals are always up to UAE authorities and that the project was just a pilot to explore how blockchain could work with residency services.
Market Reaction:
Toncoin’s price jumped above $3 after the announcement but dropped below $2.75 once the regulators spoke out and the Foundation clarified the situation. Binance’s former CEO Changpeng Zhao criticized the TON Foundation’s marketing, saying it hurt the reputation of the crypto industry.
Social Media Spread:
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov retweeted a crypto influencer’s claim about the TON Foundation’s UAE partnership, but deleted the tweet after the controversy. This showed how quickly misinformation can spread online, especially in the fast-moving world of crypto.
Why Legal Reviews Matter in Crypto and Immigration
The TON Foundation’s experience is a clear example of why legal checks are so important in crypto projects, especially when they involve immigration or residency. The UAE 🇦🇪 has five different regulators for crypto asset service providers (CASPs), each with strict rules about how crypto can be marketed and used. In Dubai, VARA is especially tough on companies that don’t follow the rules.
Key points about UAE crypto and visa rules:
- Crypto projects need special licenses to operate or promote their services in the UAE.
- Golden Visas are only for certain groups like real estate investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and people with special talents. Digital asset holders are not included under current rules.
- Promoting unapproved crypto deals can lead to legal trouble, fines, or even bans.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, even with government support, crypto projects must go through careful legal reviews to make sure they follow all federal and local laws. Skipping these steps can damage reputations and scare away investors.
Background: The UAE Golden Visa and Recent Changes
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency program that started in 2019. It was designed to attract investors, skilled workers, and talented people from around the world. Until recently, the main way to get a Golden Visa was to invest at least $500,000 in real estate or meet other strict requirements.
Major updates in 2024-2025:
- New nomination-based scheme: In July 2025, the UAE introduced a new way for Indian and Bangladeshi nationals to get lifetime residency. Applicants can either pay a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (about ₹23.3 lakh) or show a monthly salary of AED 30,000 (about ₹6.5 lakh), not counting allowances.
- Broader access: This change makes the Golden Visa more available to skilled workers and the middle class, not just the very rich. Over 5,000 Indians are expected to apply soon.
- Tied to economic agreements: The nomination process is linked to the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with countries like India and Bangladesh. There are plans to include more countries, such as China 🇨🇳, in the future.
- Stricter background checks: Applicants now face detailed checks, including reviews of their social media activity. This has raised privacy concerns for some people.
For official information on the UAE Golden Visa program, including eligibility and application steps, visit the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
What Went Wrong for the TON Foundation?
The main problem was that the TON Foundation announced a program that had not been approved by UAE authorities. They also suggested that staking Toncoin could lead directly to a Golden Visa, which is not allowed under current rules.
Key mistakes:
- Premature announcement: The program was still in the “exploratory” stage and had not been cleared by regulators.
- No government endorsement: The UAE government had not approved or even reviewed the plan.
- Misleading marketing: The announcement made it sound like the Golden Visa was guaranteed for Toncoin holders, which was not true.
These mistakes led to quick action by UAE regulators, who wanted to protect the country’s reputation and make sure only approved programs are promoted.
Expert Opinions: Lessons for Crypto and Immigration
Legal experts in the UAE, like Irina Heaver of NeosLegal, say that even with government support, crypto projects must go through careful legal reviews. The country’s rules for CASPs are complex, and breaking them can lead to serious problems.
Industry analysts see the UAE’s new Golden Visa rules as a big step forward. They say the changes will attract more skilled workers and help the country grow, but only if companies and investors follow the rules.
The TON Foundation’s experience is a warning for other crypto projects. Announcing new programs without legal approval can hurt your reputation and make it harder to work with regulators in the future.
Implications for Stakeholders
Crypto Investors and Projects:
If you’re involved in crypto and want to offer services in the UAE, you must get the right licenses and follow all local rules. Don’t make promises about visas or residency unless you have official approval. Misleading marketing can lead to fines, bans, or even criminal charges.
Golden Visa Applicants:
If you’re thinking about applying for a UAE Golden Visa, make sure you use official channels and check the latest rules. The new nomination-based scheme is more open, but you’ll need to pass strict background checks, including reviews of your social media.
Real Estate Investors:
The new rules mean you don’t have to buy expensive property just to get residency. This could slow down speculative buying in the real estate market, making it easier for regular people to find homes.
Employers and Skilled Workers:
The broader Golden Visa program makes it easier for companies to attract and keep talented workers from countries like India, Bangladesh, and soon, China 🇨🇳. This could help the UAE stay competitive in the global job market.
The Role of Social Media and Public Perception
The TON Foundation incident also shows how quickly information—and misinformation—can spread online. When Telegram CEO Pavel Durov retweeted a claim about the TON Foundation’s UAE partnership, it added credibility to the story. But when the truth came out, the tweet was deleted, and the damage was already done.
This highlights the need for careful communication, especially when dealing with immigration and investment programs. Companies must make sure their announcements are accurate and approved by the right authorities before sharing them with the public.
Future Outlook: What’s Next for the UAE Golden Visa and Crypto Projects?
The UAE government is expected to keep updating its Golden Visa program to attract more skilled workers and investors. There are plans to expand the nomination-based scheme to more countries, making it even easier for people from around the world to live and work in the UAE.
At the same time, regulators will likely increase their oversight of crypto-related residency schemes. They want to protect consumers and make sure only safe, legal programs are offered.
For the TON Foundation and similar projects, the lesson is clear: work closely with regulators, get all the necessary approvals, and be honest in your marketing. There is still interest in using blockchain and crypto for things like residency and identity services, but these ideas must be tested in small, legal pilot programs with government support.
Practical Steps for Readers
- If you’re a crypto investor: Always check if a project is licensed and approved by local regulators before investing or staking your assets.
- If you want a UAE Golden Visa: Use official channels like the ICP portal or authorized partners such as RayadGroup and VFS Global.
- If you’re a company or project: Make sure your legal team reviews all announcements and marketing materials, especially if they involve immigration or residency benefits.
Conclusion: The Importance of Legal Compliance and Clear Communication
The TON Foundation’s UAE Golden Visa mishap is a powerful reminder that legal reviews and regulatory compliance are not optional—they are essential. In a world where crypto and immigration are becoming more connected, companies must be extra careful to follow the rules and communicate clearly with the public.
The UAE’s Golden Visa program is changing fast, opening new doors for skilled workers and investors. But with these changes come new responsibilities for everyone involved. By learning from the TON Foundation’s experience, other projects can avoid similar mistakes and help build a safer, more transparent future for global mobility and digital innovation.
For more detailed information on the UAE Golden Visa and official updates, visit the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that as the UAE continues to refine its residency programs and crypto regulations, both investors and applicants should stay informed and cautious, relying only on official sources and approved partners for their immigration and investment decisions.
Learn Today
TON Foundation → The organization behind the Toncoin cryptocurrency promoting blockchain projects and digital assets.
UAE Golden Visa → Long-term residency permit in the UAE for investors, skilled workers, and selected talents.
Toncoin → A cryptocurrency associated with the TON blockchain, proposed for staking to gain residency benefits.
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) → UAE government agency overseeing identity, citizenship, and immigration regulations.
Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) → Dubai’s regulatory body supervising crypto and digital asset activities under strict rules.
This Article in a Nutshell
In July 2025, the TON Foundation falsely announced a UAE Golden Visa for Toncoin holders. Regulators immediately denied it, exposing legal and regulatory gaps in crypto-related residency programs. This incident underscores the need for strict compliance and clear communication in immigration and investment sectors, especially in the UAE’s evolving environment.
— By VisaVerge.com
