Postponements in Cryptocurrency Conferences Across Asia Due to Coronavirus

Delays and Disruptions in Cryptocurrency Events

It’s been a wild time for the crypto community as the ripple effects of the coronavirus pandemic have hit events like a sledgehammer. The highly-anticipated TOKEN2049 conference in Hong Kong, originally set for mid-March 2020, has now been rescheduled to October 7-8, 2020. The TOKEN2049 team made it clear they are not taking any chances. As they put it, “Over the past weeks, we have been monitoring the global developments around the coronavirus closely. While Hong Kong is managing the situation well, uncertainty prevails.” Trust me, in this pandemic, uncertainty feels like an unwelcome party guest that just won’t leave.

Crisis In and Out of the Crypto Sphere

Hong Kong is undergoing a double whammy with the coronavirus crisis compounded by ongoing political protests. It’s no wonder that pressure mounts as crypto firms are pulling the reins on operations. Just recently, Bitspark, a local blockchain remittance startup, announced its closure, blaming internal restructuring alongside the chaotic pandemic landscape. Imagine being a startup, and you’re dealing with more plot twists than a soap opera!

Consequences of the Delay

But TOKEN2049 isn’t alone in its postponement angst. Binance, one of the largest global crypto exchanges, announced the delay of its own event—Binance Blockchain Week Vietnam, initially set to happen from February 29 to March 4, 2020. Talk about ‘cryptocurrency calendar chaos’! The exchange promised full refunds to registered guests because, let’s face it, who needs to start their nightlife in Vietnam with a heavy heart?

Hong Kong Blockchain Week Takes a Rain Check

As if echoing the sentiment of its fellow events, Hong Kong Blockchain Week 2020 followed suit in late January. Their event also got pushed back, with organizers assuring attendees that new dates will be announced soon. After all, they say patience is a virtue, but right now it feels more like watching paint dry on a crypto transaction.

Crypto Community Steps Up in a Crisis

Even amid these challenges, the cryptocurrency community isn’t leaving the public in the lurch. In a heartwarming turn, blockchain-enabled company Acoer rolled out a data visualization tool to track the outbreak. Meanwhile, Hyperchain, a blockchain-based platform in China, emerged as a beacon of hope, providing a medical supply donations portal for local hospitals. These initiatives show that when times get tough, the crypto world can put its good vibes to work.

Even Binance’s CEO, Changpeng Zhao, isn’t sitting idle. In a philanthropic frenzy, he announced a generous donation of $1.5 million to aid victims in Wuhan, the outbreak’s epicenter. Who said crypto couldn’t help out during hard times? It seems the community is combining compassion with code quite effectively!