TON cancels Dubai event over safety concerns in UAE amid Middle East conflict

EcosystemsMarch 12, 2026, 10:50AM EDT
TON cancels Dubai event over safety concerns in UAE amid Middle East conflict
Partner offers

Quick Take

  • The Open Network has cancelled its Gateway Dubai event scheduled for May “due to the Middle East conflict and safety conditions in the UAE area.”
  • After the U.S. and Israel launched strikes in Iran, the country attacked the UAE with missiles and drones.

We'd love your feedback.

Advertisement

TON blockchain's ecosystem conference set for May in Dubai has been cancelled amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the organization said Thursday.

"Unfortunately, due to the Middle East conflict and safety conditions in the UAE area, we have made the decision to cancel Gateway Dubai, originally scheduled for May 1 and 2, 2026," TON posted on X. "This was a difficult call, but the safety and well-being of our community always comes first."

Shortly after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes in Iran, the country attacked the United Arab Emirates with missiles and drones. Dubai, a popular city among crypto entrepreneurs, is the largest city in the UAE.

TON Gateway planned to bring together builders and developers working in the TON ecosystem. Event planners said Thursday they are "examining different formats to produce a Gateway event before the end of this year."

"The UAE has borne the brunt of more than two-thirds of Iran’s strikes; the state targeted in part, say analysts, for its deep military and intelligence partnerships with western powers, and Dubai’s reputation as a favored centre for global finance and western holidays," The Guardian reported Wednesday.

Dubai, along with many other cities in the region, has experienced severe travel disruptions due to the ongoing conflict.

The major crypto event Token2049, also set in Dubai and scheduled for next month, will go ahead as planned, according to Fortune.


Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.