Inside Dubai Crypto Week: Hype, Scams & Harsh Truths

I want to share the other side of the story — for those who couldn’t afford to go or are feeling FOMO because of a tight budget. Overall, crypto expos in Dubai are cool, no doubt. But there’s a flip side. Let’s talk about that.

I recently went to a crypto expo in the UAE — and yeah, it’s exciting at first. You get to see some big names, hear rumors of “alpha,” and feel like you’re part of something huge. But later, when the hype fades, you start realizing how much of it is just noise, scams, and staged nonsense.

This is just my personal experience. I’m not pretending to be an expert — I’m just telling it how I saw it.

Let’s break it down:

🇦🇪 Dubai Vibes

Dubai is impressive. Everything looks rich, smells good, and feels organized. You look around and think: “What if my country ran things like this?” Seriously, even the average people look better there. But let’s not get sidetracked.

Scammy Projects Everywhere

Crypto Week is full of panels where project founders speak to half-bored crowds. I watched dozens of booths and speakers — 95% of it felt like trash. Just paid promos, Ponzi vibes, and polished fluff. Some even hire random dudes, dress them in traditional Emirati clothes, and sit them on stage just to look legit. Cringe.

Sure, you can go chat with someone from Solana or another legit project. But they’ll smile, say hi, and move on. Don’t expect any real secrets or alpha.

Sometimes There Are Legends

Once in a while, a true OG or crypto legend gets on stage. That’s when the room actually fills up, and you get a taste of why people came here. These moments? Worth it. The rest? Meh.

Farming Content

Most projects are just there to farm content. Pay bloggers, stage photos like “CEO on stage, investors listening,” and milk that content all year. It’s mostly fake. I swear some projects are just pure BS being sold to desperate investors.

Personal Flexing Zone

This was wild — people renting Lambos for a day, shooting photos, pretending that’s their life. Reality? Most of them can’t even afford dinner at Zuma or Cipriani in DIFC. Some bloggers fly in and stay at 3-star hotels, then flex hard on Instagram. Total illusion.

Promoters & Crypto Gurus

Yes, you’ll find influencers, crypto millionaires, and known names — Carl Moon, Davinci, MMcrypto, and so on. I met a few of them. Surprisingly chill and friendly.

One of them told me something that stuck:
“You know the game, right? Don’t get scammed. Don’t trade futures like crazy. Buy some assets. Don’t sell at a loss. Accept that 20–30% will flop. The rest will carry you. Be patient.”
Simple, but damn — that mindset saved me a lot of money.

And yeah, they all get paid in tokens to shill projects. That’s the game. You either get it or get played.

Party Every Night

There are tons of parties, but don’t expect to run into CZ or Vitalik. Most are just PR events — guys taking photos next to rented cars before leaving in taxis.

Crypto expos in Dubai are fun to see once. You’ll meet a mix of legends and scammers. Just don’t expect insider tips or real connections. Go for the experience — not the alpha

Just one note to avoid any misunderstandings:
The UAE isn’t responsible for vetting every project.
They simply provide the venue for this kind of marketplace.
Whoever pays for a spot gets to present their project.
It’s up to the audience to decide who’s legit and who’s a scammer.