TON Clarifies: No Official UAE Golden Visa for $TON Stakers — Just a Private Pilot Program

Toncoin’s Golden Visa Buzz Was Premature

Toncoin (TON) was said to offer a pathway to a 10-year UAE Golden Visa simply by staking $TON. Social media posts, headlines, and influencer threads quickly circulated the story—many believing this to be a groundbreaking moment for crypto adoption in real-world residency programs.

But the celebrations were short-lived.

In a public clarification on X, the CEO of the TON Foundation addressed the misinformation and apologized for any confusion caused by the announcement. He made it clear: there is no UAE government-backed Golden Visa program linked to $TON.

What’s Really Happening?

According to the CEO's statement, the initiative was merely an exploratory collaboration with a licensed partner in the blockchain and tokenized assets space. This was not a government-led program, nor was it officially endorsed by UAE authorities.

“This was our first foray into showing a new use case for holding your TON… but nothing is guaranteed,” the CEO noted.

He emphasized that any potential Golden Visa applications would still fall under the UAE’s standard laws and regulations, and that visa approvals remain at the sole discretion of the UAE government.

The clarification also came in support of statements issued by:

• Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
• Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)
• Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)

These UAE bodies distanced themselves from the news, reinforcing that no official crypto-related visa pathway currently exists.

Fallout: Was the VP of Marketing Let Go?

Following the clarification, crypto Twitter began speculating about internal consequences at the TON Foundation. Many pointed to a recently posted job opening for a VP of Marketing, suggesting that the previous executive may have been let go over the miscommunication.

While no official statement confirms this, the timing of the job listing has fueled rumors that the marketing mishap led to internal restructuring or accountability measures.

What This Means for TON and Crypto Adoption

While the situation stirred up controversy, it also highlights an important truth: crypto projects are actively exploring real-world utility. TON’s attempt, though premature, signals an ambition to bridge digital assets with tangible benefits like residency and citizenship.

However, it’s a cautionary tale too. In a regulatory-heavy environment like the UAE, clarity and compliance are non-negotiable. Projects must ensure that announcements, especially those involving governments, are accurate and approved by all relevant stakeholders.

For now, Toncoin will continue to explore use cases, but the 10-year UAE visa for $TON holders remains—at best—a vision for the future, not a reality.

$TON, $Toncoin