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 for the safety of attendees and organizers amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the Iran war conflict. 

Following the Thursday cancelation of The Open Network’s (TON) scheduled Gateway event in Dubai, Token2049 announced Friday that it too would forgo hosting an event in Dubai this year, opting to postpone its planned April event until 2027 instead.

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

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

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

It is not immediately clear if attendees or sponsors for Token2049 can seek a refund if they are unwilling to attend next year, or in the case of attendees, unable to transfer their ticket to Singapore. Tickets to the event run from $699 for early bird pricing, to $1,499 for full price tickets. Special access spots, which come with VIP access, a private lounge, and more, sell for $5,999, according to a ticketing portal page that’s still open on the website. 

Event organizers are expected to reach out to sponsors directly, but a representative for the conference did not immediately respond to Decrypt’s 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 would-be attendees to check with their hotels and airlines about modifying their reservations. 

“We know this is disappointing news for many of you who have already made plans, and we don’t take that lightly,” the Token2049 website reads. “Preparations for the event were progressing strongly. However, ensuring the global crypto industry can gather safely, and at the scale and quality that define Token2049, remains our top priority.”

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