TON Golden Visa Offer: CZ Questions Legitimacy Amid Crucial Silence
A recent announcement from The Open Network (TON) has captured significant attention within the crypto community: a pathway to securing a UAE Golden Visa. This potentially life-changing offer, however, has immediately faced scrutiny from prominent figures, including former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ. For those tracking the latest in Crypto News and regulatory developments, CZ’s skepticism highlights a crucial point: the need for official confirmation on such significant claims.
Why is Changpeng Zhao Skeptical?
Changpeng Zhao, a figure well-acquainted with the UAE’s residency processes himself, wasted no time in publicly questioning the validity of The Open Network’s visa offer. His primary concern stems from a fundamental lack of official announcements or details from UAE government sources. CZ noted the absence of information on any official government website regarding a program that links staking TON with receiving a Golden Visa. He emphasized that while the offer ‘would be awesome IF it is true,’ his current information was conflicting, leading him to ‘trust but verify’ such claims.
The Open Network’s Bold Claim Detailed
The announcement made by The Open Network on Saturday outlined a specific path for individuals to potentially obtain a 10-year UAE Golden Visa. The reported requirements include staking a minimum of $100,000 worth of Toncoin (TON) for a period of three years, in addition to paying a processing fee of $35,000. The announcement suggested a relatively quick turnaround time for securing the visa, reportedly under seven weeks. While Telegram CEO Pavel Durov reportedly reposted the announcement, lending it some credibility among certain circles, CZ’s point about official government silence remains central to the ongoing questions.
Verification Challenges and Market Impact
The announcement, despite the lack of immediate official government confirmation, had a noticeable impact on the market. TON’s price saw a significant increase shortly after the news broke, rallying more than 11% within hours. This market reaction underscores the excitement and potential demand for such an offer if it were officially sanctioned. However, independent attempts to verify the news proved challenging. As of Sunday afternoon, checks on the websites of relevant UAE government entities, such as the Securities and Commodities Authority or the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority, did not show any public announcements confirming this specific visa program tied to staking The Open Network’s token.
UAE’s Growing Crypto Landscape
Regardless of the specifics of this particular TON offer, the context in which it emerged is significant. The UAE has been actively positioning itself as a major global hub for cryptocurrency, blockchain, and Web3 technologies. This includes creating favorable regulatory frameworks and launching initiatives designed to attract crypto businesses and talent. Recent examples highlighted include the establishment of a Machine Economy Free Zone, aiming to explore the intersection of robotics, AI, and decentralization, and significant moves in tokenized real estate, with Dubai launching licensed projects and seeing large blockchain-backed real estate deals. This broader environment of innovation and adoption makes the idea of a crypto-linked visa program plausible, even if the current TON offer requires official verification.
In conclusion, while The Open Network’s announcement of a UAE Golden Visa offer tied to staking TON has generated excitement and market movement, the crucial element of official government confirmation is currently missing. Changpeng Zhao’s public questioning highlights the importance of verifying such significant claims through official channels. As the crypto space continues to evolve, particularly in forward-thinking jurisdictions like the UAE, discerning between promising opportunities and unverified announcements remains essential for participants.
