TON Blockchain Offers UAE Golden Visa via Crypto Staking
The blockchain platform spun out of Telegram, TON (The Open Network), has unveiled a new pathway to long-term UAE residency. Applicants can secure a 10-year Golden Visa by staking $100,000 worth of TON cryptocurrency for three years and paying a one-time $35,000 processing fee.
TON announced the initiative, noting the visa process is estimated to take under seven weeks from document submission to the relevant UAE authority. Partner entities in the UAE will manage visa processing and residency status confirmation.
Assets are staked via a decentralized smart contract verifiable on the TON blockchain, ensuring applicants retain control. The program estimated annual yields on staked assets between 3% and 4%, potentially appealing to crypto investors.
The Golden Visa benefits are extended to immediate family members, including spouses, children, and parents, covering associated costs beyond standard government fees.
Related: Toncoin Price Surges After Pavel Durov Eviction From France
Significant Reduction in Entry Threshold
Conventional UAE Golden Visa routes typically require a $540,000 investment in illiquid assets. TON’s pathway demands only $100,000 in staked TON, representing a 5x lower entry point compared to real estate or fixed deposit (FD) options and an overall reduction of 80% in required investment.
“The entry is 5x lower than an equivalent real estate/FD investment and will certainly get the attention of whales to take a look at TON and consider this as an option,” Bobby Ong, co-founder of CoinGecko, commented.
Following the announcement, Toncoin’s price increased over 10% in subsequent trading. At the time of reporting, the token traded around $2.98, more than rising by 8% in the last 24 hours. Year-to-date performance remains challenged, with a decline exceeding 60% according to CoinMarketCap data.
Related: TON Network Experience Brief Outage
The UAE’s Blockchain Ecosystem Development
The crypto-based residency program highlights the UAE’s strategic push to become a leading destination for blockchain technology and innovation.
Recent developments support this ambition: The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) approved Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD last month. Earlier this year, Dubai’s crypto regulator introduced updated guidelines for tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs), including real estate.
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has attracted over 600 crypto companies, with many more choosing Dubai’s International Financial Centre (DIFC) and One Central district as they establish a regional presence focused on digital finance leadership.
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