Today in crypto, TON launches UAE Golden Visa program requiring just $100,000 in staked TON, Arkham says the recent $8.6 billion Bitcoin whale transfer doesn’t look like it is being sold off. Meanwhile, musical artist Drake mentions BTC in new song.
TON offers 10-year UAE golden visa for $100K in staked Toncoin
The Open Network (TON), the blockchain platform spun out of Telegram, has unveiled a new pathway to UAE residency, offering 10-year Golden Visas to applicants who stake $100,000 worth of Toncoin (TON) for three years and pay a one-time $35,000 processing fee.
“Secure your Golden Visa in under 7 weeks from document submission to the Visa Office,” TON announced Saturday, detailing that its UAE-based partners will manage the visa processing and residency status confirmation.
Applicants retain control of their assets during the staking period through a decentralized smart contract verifiable on the TON blockchain. Furthermore, the program promises estimated annual yields of 3% to 4% on staked assets, adding an incentive for crypto investors.
The Golden Visa extends coverage to immediate family members, including spouses, children, and parents, at no additional cost beyond standard government fees.
$8.6B Bitcoin whale transfer shows no signs of sell-off: Arkham
Blockchain intelligence firm Arkham says the recent $8.6 billion in Bitcoin that was moved on Thursday for the first time in over 14 years doesn’t appear to be heading for a sell-off.
“There are no indications that this whale is selling Bitcoin,” Arkham said in an X post on Friday.
Arkham firm added that the eight transfers — which moved 10,000 Bitcoin at a time from eight wallets that were untouched for over 14 years — may be possibly due to the owner upgrading from the original legacy wallet to a Native SegWit address, which are said to have improved security and lower fees.
“Yesterday’s $8 billion transfers were possibly related to address upgrades, moving from 1-addresses to bc1q-addresses,” Arkham said.
Drake drops Bitcoin reference in new song
Musical artist Drake mentioned Bitcoin (BTC) in his latest song “What Did I Miss?” The song was released on Saturday and is already drawing attention from Bitcoiners on social media.
Drake previously bet $1 million in BTC on the outcome of the 2022 Super Bowl; the championship game of the American contact sport. The specific verse from the song goes:
“I look at this shit like a BTC, could be down this week, then I’m up next week. I don’t give a fuck if you love me. I don’t give a fuck if you like me. Askin’ me ‘How did it feel?’ Can’t say it didn’t surprise me.”
Pop culture references to Bitcoin indicate that the digital asset is gradually shifting from a niche phenomenon into the mainstream.
