Telegram-Linked TON’s Golden Visa Plan Sparks Hype, Then Faces UAE Denial and Price Drop
The Open Network (TON), a blockchain project linked to the Telegram messaging app, recently announced a new initiative. According to the statement, users could obtain a 10-year UAE Golden Visa by staking $100,000 worth of Toncoin for three years. A one-time processing fee of $35,000 would also apply. TON said the offer would allow applicants to include family members and earn an annual return of 3–4% on the staked amount.
UAE authorities quickly responded with a joint statement denying the existence of any such program. The response came from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, the Securities and Commodities Authority, and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
UAE Denies TON Visa Program
The announcement attracted wide attention in the crypto community. Even Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, shared the news on social media. TON positioned the initiative as a lower-cost alternative to traditional UAE residency programs, which often require investments of around $540,000 in real estate or business.
Crypto Patel@CryptoPatel七月 07, 2025TON Won’t Get You a UAE Golden Visa — The Hype Ends Here
Despite the hype, UAE officials confirmed: staking or holding $TON doesn’t qualify you for a Golden Visa. The offer came from a private firm — not the UAE government.
Golden Visas still require real estate, business… pic.twitter.com/2UhhmCNdaR
Following the announcement, Toncoin’s price jumped by over 10%, rising from approximately $2.78 to $2.98 within hours. However, the token lost momentum and fell more than 6% after the official denial.
The regulators said that UAE Golden Visa frameworks do not include digital asset investors. They also confirmed that TON is not licensed or regulated in Dubai. The denial caused Toncoin’s price to fall by more than 6% shortly after.
You may find it interesting at FinanceMagnates.com: Telegram, WhatsApp Lead On the Number of Traders Who Lose Money to Scams: Survey.
TON Clarifies Visa Program Status
The company later issued a clarification. It said the visa initiative was part of an independent partnership with a licensed blockchain service provider. According to TON, the initiative was in early development and had no formal link to the UAE government.
TON added that submitting an application would not guarantee a visa. The final decision would remain with relevant government bodies in the UAE.
The incident follows a series of developments connecting Telegram and the UAE. Earlier in 2025, after being released from house arrest in France, Telegram’s CEO returned to Dubai. At that time, Toncoin’s price jumped by about 20%. In May 2025, reports emerged that Telegram was raising $1.5 billion through bond issuance, led by BlackRock and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign fund Mubadala.