TON’s UAE Visa Misstep Shows Why Legal Compliance Matters

Meta Description: TON Foundation’s misstep in the UAE Golden Visa announcement shows how a brief legal review could have prevented regulatory backlash. Experts stress the need for compliance in crypto marketing.

Overview

The TON Foundation’s incorrect announcement about a golden visa program in the UAE serves as a critical lesson in the need for thorough legal reviews before making crypto-related announcements, especially in strictly regulated markets

The Open Network (TON) Foundation’s golden visa slip-up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) highlights the importance of legal compliance and thorough review, according to NeosLegal founder Irina Heaver. Although intended to benefit the community, TON’s premature announcement of a UAE golden visa collided with complex local crypto regulations. With five regulators overseeing crypto asset service providers (CASP) in the UAE and strict marketing rules enforced by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), ensuring compliance demands careful legal assessment.

“Even with support from local government officials, you still must promote crypto deals in full alignment with federal and local laws,” Heaver explained, noting that CASP-regulated activities like staking and token-related offers require particular attention. This is especially critical in the UAE’s evolving regulatory landscape, where marketing claims about government-linked benefits undergo intense scrutiny.

TON’s Golden Visa Incident: Timeline of Events

On Saturday, the TON Foundation announced a Toncoin staking program that claimed to offer UAE golden visas for participants. However, UAE regulators swiftly denied these claims the very next day in a joint statement, clarifying that golden visas are not issued to digital asset holders. Dubai’s VARA further emphasized that the entity behind TON was neither licensed nor regulated by the agency. This rapid regulatory response highlights the UAE’s zero tolerance for unverified claims involving national programs. In its now-deleted announcement, TON had offered to secure a “10-year Golden Visa with a one-time $35,000 processing fee” alongside a requirement to stake $100,000 in Toncoin for three years. The foundation later clarified the announcement was premature, confirming it was “working with a licensed partner independently”.

Meanwhile, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov amplified the news by retweeting crypto influencer Ash Crypto’s claim that “TON has just partnered with the UAE”—though Durov deleted his retweet by Monday at 1:00 pm UTC. Ash Crypto’s original post stating “TON has just partnered with the UAE to offer a 10-year Golden Visa to TON stakers” remained live until Tuesday at 10:00 am UTC. The 24-hour gap between announcement and denial allowed significant market speculation, demonstrating how regulatory missteps can directly impact token volatility.

Early Warnings from CZ

Some prominent figures in the crypto community, including former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, were quick to question the credibility of TON’s announcement.

“Is this real?” CZ asked on X in response to the news. “It would be awesome IF it is true. But I got conflicting info so far,” he posted on Saturday, highlighting the absence of official government confirmation and urging the community to verify sources regardless of their reputation.

Despite these warnings, the announcement fueled significant excitement and a sharp price rally on Saturday, followed by a sell-off after UAE authorities denied involvement. This volatility pattern illustrates the tangible market risks of compliance oversights in crypto.

Legal Reviews “Can Save Millions in Fines”

The UAE’s swift denial transformed TON’s announcement into a cautionary tale. Legal experts note it’s a reminder that hype-driven announcements in fast-moving crypto spaces risk overlooking compliance.

“It takes a knowledgeable crypto lawyer just two to three hours to review marketing materials and flag potential issues,” Heaver advised, adding: “That quick check can save weeks of regulatory headaches and millions of dirhams in fines.”

She concluded: “It’s a reminder that legal review isn’t a blocker — it’s a builder of sustainable growth.”

Industry observers add that the incident may prompt stricter pre-approval requirements for crypto marketing in the UAE, particularly when referencing government initiatives.