June 14, 2025: Infinita Dome became the epicenter of legal innovation and decentralized finance (DeFi) discourse as leading minds from the blockchain, legal, and fintech sectors gathered for a full day of panels, talks, and networking. The event, organized in support by the Blockchain Legal Institute, brought together experts to explore the intersection of legal engineering, crypto policy, and the future of startup cities1.
A Morning of Vision and Foundations
The day began with a complimentary breakfast and a chance for attendees to connect in the futuristic setting of Infinita City. Christian Betancourt of Ixian opened the proceedings, setting the stage for a series of deep dives into legal engineering and its application to network cities powered by crypto. Niklas Anzinger of Infinita City followed with a use case presentation, illustrating how legal frameworks can enable biotech innovation within a crypto-driven urban ecosystem.
Lonis from Próspera provided insights into the legal framework stack that underpins startup cities, highlighting Próspera’s pioneering approach in the ZEDE (Zone for Employment and Economic Development) model. Kyle MacLean Smith of Ixian then introduced the fundamentals of legal engineering, emphasizing its role in building resilient, adaptive governance structures for emerging digital societies.
Panels and Expert Insights
A key highlight was the panel on legal practices and regulatory expectations in the region, featuring José Guillermo Handal (Central Law), Carlos A. Morales (Lexincorp), and Carlos Pineda Pinel (Developing Concept). The discussion unpacked the evolving legal landscape for blockchain and DeFi ventures across Central America.
After a brief coffee break, Eric Alston from the University of Colorado, Boulder, delivered a thought-provoking session on the complexity of institutions in a blockchain-based world, setting the tone for the afternoon’s focus on DeFi infrastructure.
Afternoon: DeFi, Regulation, and Real-World Impact
Lunch, paid for with Infinita City’s native crypto (I₵C), underscored the event’s commitment to real-world crypto utility. The afternoon opened with a panel on regulatory frameworks for DeFi as infrastructure, featuring Jacqueline Cooper of the Blockchain Legal Institute, Vinay Gupta of Mattereum, and Ramona Tudorancea of JupiterBlock and Ixian. Their discussion explored how regulatory clarity can foster innovation while protecting participants in decentralized markets.
Ignacio Barbero of SimpleFi shared the latest practices in DeFi protocols, followed by a panel examining the financial industry’s evolution within Próspera ZEDE, with insights from Jorge Colindres (Próspera Zone), José Luis Moncada (RFSA), and Christian Betancourt.
Tokenization and Crypto Policy
Following a second coffee break, Christian Betancourt returned to discuss real-world asset tokenization, highlighting current practices and experimental solutions that bridge traditional finance and blockchain. Juan Mayen of Blink then addressed the need for new crypto-policy frameworks in Honduras, focusing on the challenges and opportunities within the country’s ordinary regime.
Looking Ahead
The event concluded with closing remarks from Christian Betancourt, encapsulating a day rich in knowledge-sharing and collaboration. As blockchain and legal engineering continue to reshape cities and economies, gatherings like this at Infinita Dome signal a promising future for decentralized governance and financial innovation.
The summit was a testament to the collaborative spirit of the blockchain legal community, with the Blockchain Legal Institute playing a pivotal role in bringing together thought leaders and practitioners from around the world.