Impact of COVID-19 on Cryptocurrency Conferences: A Cautionary Tale

Common Ground: The Spread of COVID-19

On March 11, Zhen Yu Yong, affectionately known in the crypto world as Zen, dropped some sobering news on Twitter: he had tested positive for COVID-2019. This wasn’t just a personal health announcement; it was a clarion call to the community. Zen specifically urged anyone who had mingled with him during events like ETHLondon (Feb. 28 – March 1) or the Ethereum Community Conference (ECC) in Paris (March 3 – March 5) to take precautions, perhaps like stocking up on toilet paper or checking the nearest testing center.

The Ripple Effect

Zen’s diagnosis didn’t just impact his personal health; it sparked a re-evaluation of scheduled events. The cryptocurrency sector, already rife with uncertainty, faced an unexpected shake-up. ECC miraculously skirted the wrath of bans on large gatherings in France because it had less than 5,000 attendees. Talk about dodging a bullet!

Conference Cancellations and Postponements

The effects of the coronavirus outbreak were far-reaching. Just days prior, the Paris Blockchain Week 2020 had announced its rescheduling to December 9, 2020, after France’s ban. The virus had become the unwanted guest crashing parties around the globe—especially in crypto conferences.

• The Hong Kong Blockchain Week 2020 rescheduled from its original date to September 28-30.
• Italy’s eagerly anticipated EDCON ended up in the cancellation bin on February 22.
• South Korea’s Nitron Summit 2020 could barely make it to February without hitting the brakes.

Turnout Troubles

As panic spread faster than any digital asset, attendance at events like CryptoCompare’s Digital Asset Summit in London hit the skids. Gone were the jam-packed auditoriums; they were replaced by empty seats and nervous coughs. At another recent event, presentations originally meant for the spotlight had to be hastily shifted to the virtual realm, turning once lively panels into a stream of webinars. And somehow, that doesn’t come with popcorn.

Community Response

The cryptocurrency community has reacted with both humor and seriousness. Memes fluttered about on social media, as friends warned each other with the emotional weight of a cat meme. But amidst the laughter, the concern is palpable—how do you balance a profession dependent on networking against a virus that thrives on close contact?

The Future of Events

Will we ever attend a packed conference without fear again? While it’s tough to predict, one thing’s for certain: the future of cryptocurrency conferences will likely involve a blend of physical and virtual engagements. As we adapt, let’s keep our hands clean, our masks on, and our keyboards at the ready—for a wild ride through the new paradigm of socializing in the digital age!