The TON Foundation has clarified that its UAE Golden Visa initiative is not an official program and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the UAE government.

Describing the announcement as “premature,” the Foundation said the project is being developed through an “independent collaboration” with a licensed partner focused on blockchain infrastructure and tokenized assets.

The clarification followed swift denials from multiple UAE authorities, including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, the Securities and Commodities Authority, and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, who jointly stated that Golden Visas were not being issued to digital asset holders.

This story is an excerpt from the Unchained Daily newsletter.

The TON Foundation’s career page also lists a new posting seeking a “VP of Marketing,” a role posted shortly after controversy around the visa claims erupted.

TON had initially promoted a pathway to a 10-year UAE Golden Visa in exchange for staking $100,000 in Toncoin and paying a $35,000 fee — an offer that would be significantly cheaper than traditional investment-based routes, which typically require over $500,000 in illiquid assets.