As excitement builds toward China's first Bitcoin Conference, a lingering sense of unease pervades the atmosphere.
The conference, scheduled for May 10-11, is to include both Chinese and international leaders in the Bitcoin world. Topics of discussion will include those of a general nature and those specific to Bitcoin in China. It is being organized by bitfund.pe, "the earliest bitcoin related private Equities in the world that focuses on investing and helping bitcoin related projects and startups."
Just the prospect of holding such a high-profile event right under the noses of the People's Bank of China (PBOC) is enough to rattle some nerves.
Unconfirmed rumors are circulating that major Chinese Bitcoin exchanges, who are the largest sponsors for the event, are not attending. These include Huobi, BTC China and OKCoin.
Some tweets are claiming that showing up "in an official capacity" or making any presentations can be a risky move. While it is hard to imagine what kind of "surveillance" methods will be in play, one never knows with bitcoin-related rumors in China until the time comes, as evidenced by the most recent crackdown.
Tickets are priced in RMB- not CNY.
Perhaps some are hoping PBOC officials will actually attend the conference, see the light and reverse course.
