The TON Foundation has denied any official partnership with the United Arab Emirates government regarding a Golden Visa initiative, following online speculation prompted by a premature announcement shared on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
In a statement issued this week, the blockchain-focused organization said the visa-related project circulating online stemmed from an exploratory effort between TON and a private licensed partner, not from any formal collaboration with UAE government bodies.
No Endorsement From UAE Authorities
The foundation emphasized that the initiative is not part of any officially sanctioned residency or visa offering. “No official Golden Visa program has launched in partnership with the government of the United Arab Emirates, nor has any governmental endorsement been granted to TON,” the statement read.
The clarification came after a post on X (formerly Twitter) led to confusion within the cryptocurrency and digital asset community regarding the nature of TON’s involvement in UAE visa processes. The Golden Visa program, which grants long-term residency to investors and specialized talent, is strictly regulated by the UAE authorities.
TON stated that visa issuance remains solely under the authority of relevant UAE governmental agencies and that applications submitted under any blockchain-related pilot would still be subject to all standard legal requirements.
Project Remains in Early Development
TON described the collaboration as an early-stage initiative aimed at exploring the role of blockchain in potentially supporting future access to real-world residency pathways. The unnamed partner involved in the project reportedly specializes in tokenized assets and blockchain infrastructure.
TON also expressed support for a joint statement released by the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). That statement confirmed that the government has approved no digital residency or investment visa initiatives involving blockchain.
Foundation Reaffirms Compliance Focus
In conclusion, TON said it would continue its focus on building digital asset frameworks that align with regulatory standards and cooperate with vetted partners. The foundation added that it values regulatory clarity and intends to develop blockchain use cases in line with applicable laws.
