According to Bloomberg, the much-anticipated crypto event, Token2049, faced unexpected challenges in Dubai this week due to severe weather conditions. Torrential rains flooded runways, roads, and building lobbies, causing significant disruption to the city's infrastructure. Attendees of Token2049 were left stranded at Dubai airport for extended periods as taxi services were disrupted. Some were forced to sleep on the airport floors, dealing with broken lavatories and closed restaurants, while others were stuck in planes overnight, unable to land or return.
Despite these challenges, the main conference commenced as scheduled on Thursday, according to some participants. However, the severe weather conditions turned what should have been short car journeys into hours-long ordeals, with some individuals opting to navigate the water-logged roads on foot. The luxury 5-star hotel resort of Madinat Jumeirah, the venue for the main conference, was not spared from the weather's impact, with leaks and puddles appearing throughout the property. Similar conditions were reported at the Mall of the Emirates, known for its indoor ski slope. The unexpected weather conditions also led to the cancellation of several crypto-focused side events.
