Dubai’s Token2049, TON Crypto Conferences Canceled as Iran Conflict Rages On

A pair of upcoming crypto conferences scheduled in Dubai have been canceled or postponed due to the safety of participants and organizers amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the war conflict in Iran.

Following Thursday cancellation of The Open Network’s (TON) planned Gateway event in Dubai, Token2049 announced on Friday that it would also forego hosting an event in Dubai this year, opting to postpone the planned April event until 2027.

“In collaboration with our partners and stakeholders, and in light of the ongoing uncertainty in the region and its impact on security, international travel and logistics, Token2049 Dubai will be postponed until April 21-22, 2027,” the statement said. event posted on X.

The post shared a similar sentiment with Thursday’s announcement from Telegram-linked TON, which made the decision to cancel its Dubai event entirely in hopes of producing a different event format sometime later this year.

Ticket holders for the TON event can expect a refund within the next 14 days, but Token2049 participants will have the option to use their ticket at next year’s event or transfer their ticket to the conference’s event in Singapore later this year.

It is not immediately clear whether Token2049 attendees or sponsors will be able to request a refund if they do not wish to attend next year, or in the case of attendees who cannot transfer their ticket to Singapore. Tickets for the event cost $699 for early bird pricing to $1,499 for full-price tickets. Special access areas, with VIP access, a private lounge and more, sell for $5,999, according to one study. ticket portal page that is still open on the website.

Event organizers are expected to contact sponsors directly, but a conference representative did not immediately respond Decode request for comment.

As for those who may have already booked travel plans for the event, originally scheduled for April 29 and 30, Token2049 organizers encouraged potential attendees to check with their hotels and airlines to see if their reservations could be changed.

“We know this is disappointing news for many of you who have already made plans, and we do not take it lightly,” the Token2049 website said. “Preparations for the event are progressing strongly. Ensuring that the global crypto industry can gather safely, and at the scale and quality that define Token2049, remains our top priority.”

The Dubai event was set to host notable speakers including Polymarket founder and CEO Shayne Coplan, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino and Circle co-founder Jeremy Allaire.