TON Foundation’s $100K Golden Visa Proposal Denied by UAE Authorities

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially refuted claims circulating online that its Golden Visa program extends to cryptocurrency investors, casting doubt on a high-profile initiative announced by the TON Foundation. The clarification comes amid a wave of excitement and skepticism within the crypto community following the foundation’s bold proposal.

On July 6, Max Crown, CEO of the TON Foundation, announced on X a bold initiative promising 10-year UAE Golden Visas to Toncoin (TON) holders who stake $100,000 for three years and pay a one-time $35,000 fee — bypassing the typical requirements of real estate investment or high income.

The post sparked widespread buzz, with images and endorsements from TON supporters flooding the platform, highlighting the potential for crypto to unlock real-world opportunities.

However, the excitement was short-lived. The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) issued a joint statement with the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), denying any such partnership.

The authorities clarified that Golden Visas are limited to specific applicant types—such as real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talents — and explicitly do not include crypto staking. They urged the public to rely on official channels and avoid being misled by unverified promotional claims.

Shortly after Max’s post, CZ expressed skepticism on X, citing conflicting information and the absence of official confirmation. This reaction is unsurprising given Binance’s dominant position in the Middle East, where it maintains deep ties with Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

For instance, in March 2025, Abu Dhabi-backed investment group MGX made a $2 billion investment in Binance, marking one of the largest institutional investments in the crypto industry. Binance continues to collaborate with the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). These weighty examples highlight Binance’s entrenched presence, making it highly improbable that TON would secure such a preferential project ahead of Binance.

He added, “If it is real, we will definitely try to get it on BNB too,” showcasing his belief in Binance’s ability to leverage its regional dominance for similar opportunities.

Max Crown’s post remains undeleted and unretracted, suggesting the possibility of further developments or clarifications in the near future. Given the stakes involved, this is unlikely to be a mere jest, and the situation warrants close monitoring as the TON Foundation and UAE regulators may yet provide additional updates.