TL;DR:
- TON Foundation launched a UAE Golden Visa offer requiring $100K staked in Toncoin plus a $35K fee.
- The visa includes 10-year residency, family participation, and 3–4% APY on staked TON.
- Toncoin surged 12% to $2.89, with 250%+ increase in trading volume.
- Crypto leaders are split: some praise the move, others question official UAE government backing.
- Analysts caution the initiative may rely on third-party legal intermediaries, not formal state partnerships.
Toncoin’s Golden Visa Offer Sparks Investor Excitement
On July 6, the TON Foundation revealed a new initiative allowing participants to acquire a UAE Golden Visa by staking $100,000 worth of Toncoin (TON) and paying a $35,000 processing fee. The announcement sent TON’s price surging by 12%, with a peak at $3.06 before cooling to $2.89.
The initiative was introduced by TON CEO Max Crown on X, calling it a “crypto-native” route to long-term UAE residency. The program offers 10-year visas, supports family inclusion, and is executed via smart contracts on the TON blockchain.
How the TON Golden Visa Program Works
As per the official TON announcement, the program includes:
- 7-week approval timeline.
- No property or income proof required.
- Coverage for spouse, children, and parents.
- 3-year lock-up, with capital returned and 3–4% APY earned on staked TON.
All staking is executed using decentralized smart contracts, ensuring a transparent and secure process through the TON blockchain.
Market Response: Price and Volume Surge
Following the announcement, Toncoin experienced strong upward momentum:
- Price jumped from $2.75 to $3.06, before retracing to $2.89.
- 24-hour trading volume rose over 250% vs the 30-day average.
- CoinDesk Research observed spiking momentum and high-volume entry levels throughout July 6.
Toncoin Metrics (as of July 6, 2025)
| Metric | Value | Source |
| Price (peak) | $3.06 | CoinDesk |
| Current Price | $2.89 | CoinMarketCap |
| 24h Volume vs 30-day Avg | 2.5154 | CoinDesk Research |
| Yield on Staked TON | 3–4% APY | TON Foundation |
| Visa Term | 10 years | TON Foundation |
| Staking Period | 3 years | TON Foundation |
Community Divided on Program Legitimacy
The crypto community’s reaction has been polarized, with some celebrating the concept while others raise questions about its legitimacy and legal structure.
- Bobby Ong, co-founder of CoinGecko, praised it as a “great story” but warned it could be short-lived.
- @JoeHedgedHog, partner at Sigil Fund, claimed the program is not government-backed but rather led by third-party legal firms applying under the UAE’s entrepreneur visa.
- @ivangbi_, Strategy Head at Gearbox Protocol, said the announcement was “misleading”, warning that TON staking may not be a government requirement at all.
How UAE’s Entrepreneur Visa Really Works
According to official UAE guidance, the entrepreneur visa route includes:
- AED 500,000+ in project value, certified by a UAE auditor.
- Verification of innovation or tech-based business.
- Support from an approved UAE business incubator.
Critics argue that TON’s staking model doesn’t meet these benchmarks and may serve as a token utility marketing tactic, not an official immigration channel.
CZ and Industry Leaders Urge Caution
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), former CEO of Binance, commented:
“Support Durov—but trust and verify. A proper visa initiative would require clear government endorsement.”
This view is echoed by multiple analysts who believe any state-level immigration benefit tied to a token must be formally confirmed by the relevant authorities, not intermediaries.
Technical Analysis: Range Breakout and Support Formation
Technical indicators suggest the rally may have short-term legs:
- Initial breakout occurred at 7:00 AM, with a price surge from $2.75 to $3.06.
- Volume spike to 57.5 million by 8:00 AM.
- New support is forming in the $2.86–$2.89 range.
- Resistance remains around $3.03, likely capping upside in near term.
CoinDesk’s technical analysis model suggests TON has entered a new trading range, supported by speculative buying and program hype.
What’s Next for TON?
The program’s long-term impact hinges on several unanswered questions:
- Will the UAE government issue formal confirmation?
- Is the staking-based visa model compliant with UAE law?
- Can this approach be replicated with other tokens or blockchains?
If validated, TON could become a case study in crypto-backed migration solutions. But if debunked, the move could be seen as a marketing strategy, designed to boost TON’s utility and price short-term.
Final Thoughts
The TON Foundation’s new visa program has created buzz across the crypto and residency planning communities. While the concept reflects growing Web3-government convergence, the lack of state-level endorsement keeps the effort in speculative territory.
Investors should treat the announcement with caution and conduct independent legal verification before committing capital to TON-based residency paths.
