Consensus Crypto Conference Faces Backlash for Hosting Party at Controversial Miami Strip Club

Consensus, CoinDesk’s annual cryptocurrency conference, hosted its official closing party at E11even, a Miami nightclub with a controversial history. The venue is the same one where Zach Witkoff, founder of World Liberty Financial, was arrested in 2022 for cocaine possession.

Jess Zhang, founder and CEO of Blockus, sharply criticized the choice, calling E11even a “strip club” and arguing that such an event “diminishes women to sexual objects” while reinforcing an “exclusionary culture” in an industry striving for institutional maturity.

This year’s official @consensus2026 closing party by @CoinDesk was a massive step backward. Hosting the flagship event at E11even — a strip club — wasn't just inappropriate; it was incredibly low-brow for an industry trying to grow up.

Zhang further stated, “Let’s be clear: I’m all for alcohol,…”

Amanda Wick, a former federal prosecutor and gender equality advocate, also condemned the event, telling Bloomberg that “as a gender equality advocate, the event was horrifying.”

E11even’s Ties to Cryptocurrency and FTX

E11even has a documented history with the crypto industry. Prior to its collapse, FTX US partnered with E11even Partners to serve as the “sole converter of cryptocurrency transactions for acquiring residences” in a development tied to the nightclub.

i never knew the women working there are forced sex slaves
its as if there was no actual conference or networking outside of a closing party
— MichaelK.eth (@mikashi) May 10, 2026

Defenders and Legal Threats

At least one industry executive defended the event. Michael Khekoian, senior business development manager at Consensys and product safety lead at Metamask, posted on social media: “I never knew the women working there are forced sex slaves.” He added, “its as if there was no actual conference or networking outside of a closing party.”

Khekoian later escalated the dispute, threatening to sue Zhang for her criticism.

Zach Witkoff’s 2022 Arrest at E11even

In 2022, Witkoff was arrested at E11even after police found cocaine in his possession. During the arrest, Witkoff repeatedly claimed he was friends with Marc Roberts, the owner of E11even. No charges were filed following the incident.

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