TON Offers UAE Golden Visa for $135,000 Stake Amid CZ Criticism

- TON unveils a new program linking UAE Golden Visas to Toncoin staking. - Announcement triggers Toncoin price surge, but critics question its validity. On July 6, 2025, The Open Network (TON) revealed a new pathway to UAE Golden Visas based on Toncoin staking. The announcement sparked a surge in TON's price but also raised questions about the program's legitimacy. To participate, individuals must stake $100,000 worth of Toncoin for three years and pay a one-time processing fee of $35,000. A decentralized smart contract guarantees participation, and the program promises a streamlined visa process completed within seven weeks. The program aims to improve accessibility by lowering traditional financial barriers, allowing participants to forgo larger investments, such as those in real estate. Stakers maintain control of their assets throughout the period and can earn an estimated annual yield of 3-4%. In addition, the initiative extends to family members, who are subject to standard governmental fees. Despite its potential appeal, the program faces skepticism because UAE authorities have not officially endorsed it. Former Binance CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao raised concerns, pointing out that UAE government platforms have not confirmed the program. Zhao also flagged inconsistencies across various information sources, and reports suggest the program operates through a third-party partner in the UAE rather than being state-backed, which intensifies doubts about its authenticity. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov publicly supported the announcement. However, as of July 7, UAE government websites have not provided any independent validation. Meanwhile, industry insiders criticized the initiative as potentially misleading. They note the $35,000 processing fee goes to a legal firm managing the applications, but this provides no assurance of visa approval from UAE immigration authorities. According to data from CoinMarketCap on July 6, Toncoin (TON) was trading at $2.913 as of 20:16 UTC, reflecting a 5.95% increase in its 24-hour trading volume. While the price surge underscores market excitement, questions about the program’s authenticity remain unresolved.