Ethereum Devcon attendee robbed at Knifepoint in Thailand

Rooch Network co-founder Haichao Zhu reported being robbed at knifepoint by two assailants in Bangkok, just days before the Ethereum conference at Devcon.

This is the latest in a series of security incidents involving crypto conference attendees in major cities.

The incident occurred at 4:30 a.m. local time when Haichao was traveling alone after arriving late in the evening. Although no injuries were reported, the attackers stole his phone, warning other conference participants against traveling alone at night in the Thai capital.

“Overall, Bangkok is still a safe and pleasant place, but like anywhere else, you have to be careful with the dark,” Haichao noted in his public warning to other conference participants.

Decrypt contacted Haichao to learn more.

The heist follows a disturbing pattern of similar incidents that have occurred at major cryptocurrency events, most notably the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Brussels earlier this year.

Many participants reported violent clashes. Kilt Protocol’s Chief Development Officer, Rishant Kumar, has seen success he defended himself against an attacker near the conference venue. Another participant was reportedly injured knee injury during a robbery.

In another serious incident at EthCC, a participant reported pointing a gun at his head during a robbery.

The timing is particularly important as thousands of developers and industry participants prepare to meet in Bangkok Devcon 7the most important Ethereum developer conference, scheduled for November 12-15 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

The event is expected to attract prominent figures, including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum Foundation executive director Aya Miyaguchi.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair