The United Arab Emirates has officially denied claims that staking Toncoin (TON) can grant investors a Golden Visa, rejecting a program recently promoted by the Toncoin ecosystem.
In a joint statement issued on July 6 via the Emirates News Agency, three federal entities—the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)—dismissed circulating social media posts and promotional material suggesting that individuals could obtain a 10-year UAE residency visa by staking $100,000 in TON.
According to the ICP, Golden Visas are issued under a well-defined legal framework and are reserved for select categories, such as exceptional students, scientists, entrepreneurs, and real estate investors. Digital asset holders or investors are not eligible under current visa criteria.
VARA also clarified that TON is not recognized or licensed for such programs in Dubai, and warned potential applicants to avoid unverified residency schemes. Investors were urged to rely solely on official government platforms for visa-related information.
This clarification comes in response to a program announced by the TON Foundation, which claimed that applicants could receive long-term UAE residency by staking $100,000 worth of Toncoin for three years via smart contract, along with a $35,000 processing fee. The initiative also promised 3–4% annual returns and residency benefits for family members.
Despite its comparatively low financial threshold—far less than the AED 2 million (~$540,000) typically required for real estate-based Golden Visas—UAE authorities made clear that the scheme lacks any official endorsement. The SCA reiterated that all digital asset initiatives must operate within established legal and regulatory guidelines aligned with international standards.
Skeptics have questioned the legitimacy of the offer, with some suggesting it operates more as a marketing strategy for Toncoin than a credible immigration pathway. Concerns were also raised about the processing fee, which appeared to benefit intermediaries without guaranteeing residency approval.
Authorities emphasized that all visa applications should go through trusted government portals such as icp.gov.ae, warning that participation in unofficial schemes could result in financial loss or legal consequences.
While the UAE continues to champion blockchain innovation and digital asset adoption, officials made it clear: Golden Visa eligibility remains bound to formal, regulated pathways—not token staking or crypto promotions.
