Just organized a party with AV actresses! Hong Kong Web3 Carnival sponsor Websea ran off 36 hours after the event.

Websea suddenly disappears, users report difficulties withdrawing funds and C2C channels are closed. The platform just sponsored the Hong Kong Web3 Carnival and invited an actress to host an erotic party, raising suspicions of a planned scam.

Cryptocurrency exchange Websea has recently been embroiled in a suspected exit scam. Multiple Chinese-speaking community users on X have reported issues such as withdrawal delays, disappearance of customer service, and more; the platform’s USDT quotes even once plummeted to about half due to panic selling on external markets, sparking doubts about significant liquidity problems. Reports indicate Websea is currently unable to process withdrawals normally and has shut down C2C channels, leading to discussions of a team exit. Even Laura Takizawa herself asked on Twitter: What exactly is going on with Websea?

Web3 Festival sponsor involved again, unlicensed exchange closes withdrawals

The reason this incident has attracted intense attention in the Chinese crypto community is not just because another small to medium-sized exchange reports withdrawal issues, but also because Websea had just prominently appeared at the 2026 Hong Kong Web3 Carnival before the incident. Public information shows that Websea announced participation as a Primary Exhibition Sponsor in the Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2026 held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 20 to 23, and promoted its booth and activities in official social channels.

More controversially, during the Web3 Festival, Websea hosted an evening party called Safe S[C]EX Night. The event name itself hints at a provocative marketing tactic by playing on the words “Safe CEX” and “sex” for erotic appeal. Websea’s official Chinese Twitter account promoted the event, claiming “Half Web3, Half heartbeat,” and “Not only redefining safe trading but also redefining the party ceiling of Web3,” with segments featuring “mysterious guests interacting up close.”

The event was held on the evening of April 21 at the Kerry Hotel in Hong Kong, themed around “Exploring Safe Trading,” but much of the buzz came from inviting Japanese AV actress Laura Takizawa to endorse it, along with Chinese KOLs hyping the party.

In other words, before user funds started showing problems, Websea was still positioning itself as a large Hong Kong Web3 sponsor, involved in erotic parties, AV actress promotions, and KOL marketing, shaping an image of a “