The Puerto Rico Blockchain Trade Association was established to build an inclusive and accesible tech community. Its mission is to promote web3 adoption on-island through education and advocacy.
"BUIDL HERE" It is our invitation to come to our island to BUIDL, work and collaborate, so that together we can use emerging tech to create "the future." Previously, we held conferences HODL HERE 2021 and BUIDL HERE 2022.
Come BUIDL With Us!
We are excited to bring BUIDL HERE back in 2025. This year will be our best yet, our audience ranges from local engineering students and heads of universities to industry leaders and DC insiders. Topics this year will include tax advantages of moving to Puerto Rico, talking agency changes with Don McGahn, former White House Counsel, Jonathan Jachym, Head of Global Policy at Kraken, and spotlighting local talent, Juan Salgado, NFT & celebrity tattoo artist.
This year, we are also collaborating with Porzio, Bromberg, and Newman for their annual Law and Compliance Summit, Tuesday February 4th. This year their summit will be focused on emergent technology.
BUIDL Speakers 2025
McGahn served as White House Counsel under President Donald J. Trump from 2017 to 2018, where he provided strategic legal guidance on constitutional authority, administrative law, and national security issues. He played a pivotal role in judicial nominations, overseeing the appointment of a historic number of federal judges, including two Supreme Court justices. Additionally, he spearheaded the administration's record-breaking deregulation efforts, shaping significant policy changes. His achievements in this role earned recognition as one of the most consequential aides to any president in recent memory.
Before his tenure at the White House, McGahn served as a Commissioner and Chairman of the Federal Election Commission, where he focused on campaign finance law. He also acted as General Counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee, further deepening his expertise in political and election law. Recognized for his skill in navigating the intersection of law and politics, McGahn continues to be a prominent figure in legal and governmental circles.
Prior to joining Kraken, Jonathan spent over a decade in regulatory strategy and government relations roles at the London Stock Exchange Group and CME Group, based in Washington and London. He previously served as legal and regulatory counsel at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Jonathan earned his BS from North Carolina State University and his JD from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
In the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate, he led efforts to pass bipartisan legislation addressing toll reductions, education reform, and public safety improvements. His commitment to collaboration and pragmatic solutions has made him a respected advocate for his constituents.
Suhas holds a J.D. from Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law. He lives in Loudoun County, Virginia, with his wife, Miranda Peña Subramanyam, and their two daughters, where he remains actively engaged in his community.
In the NFT space, Juan founded the Tattoo Skullz Society, a collection of 5,000 unique NFTs designed to create an artist community. Each NFT offers utilities such as raffle tickets, VIP sessions, tattoos, and original artworks from Juan. His first NFT, "The Lotus Diamond," sold for $32,000, setting a record for the most expensive initial digital art piece by a Puerto Rican artist.
Juan's work in the NFT space aims to empower Latino artists and disrupt the traditional art community by leveraging blockchain technology. He continues to bridge the gap between traditional tattoo artistry and digital art, fostering a more inclusive and innovative art scene.
Before joining Kraken in 2020, Santori held significant positions in the crypto industry. He was the President and Chief Legal Officer at Blockchain.com, a major cryptocurrency wallet provider, where he navigated complex regulatory landscapes. Prior to that, he was a partner at Cooley LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop, advising financial institutions and startups on integrating distributed ledger technology into their operations.
Santori's influence extends beyond corporate roles; he has served as an advisor to the International Monetary Fund and was appointed as the Blockchain Ambassador for the State of Delaware. Additionally, he chaired the Regulatory Affairs Committee of the Bitcoin Foundation, contributing to policy discussions that have shaped the cryptocurrency industry's evolution. His extensive experience and thought leadership have been instrumental in bridging the gap between traditional financial systems and emerging digital asset technologies.
A former Obama Presidential Appointee, Cleve has extensive experience in public policy and economic development, including roles on Capitol Hill and in the Blockchain Association. Her work emphasizes responsible innovation in blockchain, addressing regulatory challenges, and creating inclusive opportunities in tech. She is a Forbes contributor and the author of The Clevolution: My Quest for Justice in Politics & Crypto, where she explores the intersection of technology, policy, and social impact.
Cleve’s expertise and leadership have positioned her as a key voice in blockchain education and advocacy, with her insights featured in major outlets like CNBC, NPR, and The New York Times. She continues to champion blockchain's transformative potential while pushing for diversity and inclusion in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
She has also held positions at the Filecoin Foundation and Parallel Payments Ltd. Veronica holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Francisco State University. She is a FinTech lawyer specializing in all aspects of financial services, with an emphasis on payments and lending advice, including state licensing issues, mobile, gaming, and virtual currencies. Throughout her career, Veronica has been a strong advocate for legislative clarity in the crypto space and emphasizes the importance of self-custody for crypto users.
Before his tenure in Congress, Ron managed three successful Texas State Senate campaigns, showcasing his ability to navigate complex political landscapes. A graduate of Georgetown University with a B.A., Ron continues to drive the conversation on cryptocurrency and financial regulation, fostering collaboration between lawmakers and the blockchain industry.
Rob holds a Ph.D. in Finance, an MBA in Finance and Marketing, and a Bachelor's in Physics and Applied Mathematics, which underpin his technical and economic insights into blockchain technology. His professional journey includes roles as an advisor to prominent blockchain projects like Aave and HeroEngine, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Puerto Rico Blockchain Trade Association. These positions reflect his commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the blockchain space.
Before entering the blockchain industry, Rob served as a U.S. Air Force officer and scientist, bringing discipline and a rigorous analytical approach to his work. His diverse background allows him to bridge gaps between technology, finance, and public policy, making him a sought-after voice in the Web3 community. Rob continues to advocate for blockchain as a tool to build a more secure and equitable world, driving innovation and education across the industry.
Current board and advisory responsibilities include: Decision Next, Horizen Labs, PepTalk, Puerto Rico Blockchain Trade Association, ScreenMeet, Selector, Virtana; other active investments include Ginkgo Bioworks, Magic Cube, and NativeVoice. Prior investment responsibilities included; Broadlight (acquired by Broadcom), Convercent (acquired by OneTrust), K2 Software (acquired by Nintex), NeoNova (acquired by NRTC), Parama (acquired by BayMicro), Pliant (acquired by IBM), Prediction IO (acquired by Salesforce.com), Sylantro (acquired by BroadSoft), Tutum (acquired by Docker), Unitas (acquired by Digital Alpha), World Wide Packets (acquired by Ciena), Vapps (acquired by Citrix).
Paul has a BA in Finance and Accounting from Babson College. Professional affiliations have included: National Venture Capital Association (NVCA); Ericsson Advisory Board Member; Citrix Advisory Board Member; Olympic Club member; Society of Charted Financial Analysts.
A seasoned blockchain policy expert, Jacob was one of the first employees at the Blockchain Association, helping to shape its early advocacy efforts. His career also includes experience with lobbying firms and governmental positions in the U.S. and internationally, giving him a well-rounded perspective on public policy and blockchain innovation. Through his work, Jacob continues to drive awareness and adoption of decentralized technologies while ensuring regulatory clarity for the industry.
A graduate of École Centrale Paris and Universidad de Chile, Esteban holds an MSc in Applied Economics and a degree in Electrical Engineering. His expertise combines technical knowledge with entrepreneurial vision, enabling him to develop impactful blockchain-based solutions that empower businesses and communities in the region.
Her leadership includes serving as an ABET evaluator, ensuring the quality and standards of engineering education programs. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Cristina continues to advance innovation and excellence in engineering education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
With expertise in project management, marketing, and stakeholder collaboration, Edgar drives efforts that empower talent and bridge gaps in technology literacy. As a native Puerto Rican fluent in both Spanish and English, he leverages a deep understanding of regional challenges to promote technology adoption in underserved communities. Recognized for his leadership in grassroots technology-focused communities, Edgar continues to develop impactful programs that foster innovation and inclusion
Her leadership focuses on leveraging advanced digital solutions to meet the unique needs of the island's energy grid while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. Crystal’s work at LUMA Energy reflects her dedication to transforming the energy sector for both the company’s workforce and the customers it serves.
He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the University of Alabama, contributing to the development of future professionals. Brandon holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alabama.
Jill advises and acts as outside general counsel for several companies in the emerging technology industry, including AI, blockchain and cryptocurrency, and esports. She also assists clients with general business and transactional advice, internal investigations, defense against government investigations, and compliance advice in areas such as anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, export compliance, sanctions, securities, data privacy, and risk management.
She has been working with Web3 companies since 2017, bringing her deep industry experience and training to navigate this emerging sector effectively. Jill is highly skilled in legal issues around blockchain technology and compliance with global cryptocurrency laws and regulations.
Giovanni’s practice includes structuring of tax exempt and taxable operations in Puerto Rico, structuring of complex business transactions, transfer pricing consulting, entity formations, negotiation of tax exemption decrees, tax planning and counsel for Puerto Rican and United States federal international income tax matters, and accounting services.
During the past years, Giovanni has served as advisory counsel for many investors and businesses seeking grants of tax exemption under Puerto Rico’s Acts 20 and 22. As a blockchain technology investor and advisor, Giovanni has played a key role in the development of Puerto Rico as an investment destination for the industry. Giovanni’s unique access to the burgeoning global and local cryptocurrency industry provides his clients with invaluable insight.
With a background as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Trial Attorney for the United States Department of Justice, Bill has a unique understanding of federal investigations and procedures. In his role as Assistant U.S. Attorney, Bill was responsible for litigating and investigating a variety of cases including: counterfeiting, bank robbery and theft, firearms violations, police bribery, assaults, narcotics cases - including Title III wiretaps and foreign extradition, money laundering, government loan fraud, credit card fraud, and criminal copyright and trademark infringement. As a Trial Attorney for the Department of Justice, Bill was assigned to the Computers and Finance Section of the Antitrust Division where he handled antitrust merger and civil non-merger investigations and litigation.
Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Bill served as a Judicial Clerk with the Honorable John F. Gerry, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and Chairman of the Executive Committee for the United States Judicial Conference.
Ms. Wheatley-Liss counsels business owners on legal and structural issues related to start-up, financing, growth and exit strategy. As a tax attorney, she always keeps an eye on minimizing a business owner's "silent partner" – the IRS. She also advises on director and officer (D&O) liability issues, including business succession and break-ups. By creating the most efficient organizational structures and contractual arrangements during the infancy and growth of a business she has helped clients keep hundreds of thousands of dollars in their pockets upon the sale of the mature business.
To educate both the public and the legal community about issues relating to business ownerships, Ms. Wheatley-Liss is a frequent lecturer to professionals and the public on topics related to start-up, intellectual property, employee and independent contractor issues, wealth transfer, tax minimization, business succession planning and cybersecurity.
The core of Ms. Wheatley-Liss' practice is protecting the wealth her clients have earned and created over a lifetime – from taxes, long-term care costs, ill-equipped beneficiaries, divorce, lawsuits and mis-management by others. To do this she focuses on educating clients about how to make the legal system work to help them meet their goals and then carry out that plan. This may include creating wills and trusts, tax planning, advising an executor of an estate, representing a beneficiary in a disputed estate, crafting a long-term care asset protection plan, elder law counseling, special needs planning or guardianships.
Founder, Campo Libre
Alana Mediavilla is an award-winning filmmaker and the founder of Campo Libre, an independent film house dedicated to producing and distributing original intellectual property. With a visionary approach and a talent for transforming bold ideas into successful ventures, Alana has rapidly emerged as a rising force in the indie film industry. Her work is celebrated for its artistic impact and commercial success, earning her a reputation as a producer who balances creative storytelling with business acumen.
Through Campo Libre, Alana champions innovative narratives and provides a platform for diverse voices, aiming to redefine the independent film landscape. Her films have garnered critical acclaim and accolades, establishing her as a trailblazer in a competitive and dynamic space. Alana’s passion for meaningful storytelling continues to shape her career and the projects she takes on, making her one of the most exciting filmmakers to watch in the industry today.
CJ is dedicated to helping clients stay compliant with tax laws while maximizing their financial outcomes. By combining his legal expertise and industry experience, he ensures that individuals and businesses are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of cryptocurrency taxation and regulation.
He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Computing and Information Science and Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, following a B.Sc. in Physics from Birzeit University. Yahya is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and holds the prestigious distinction of IEEE Senior Member for his contributions to computer engineering.
In addition to publishing scientific articles across various disciplines, Yahya teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, fostering innovation and critical thinking in his students. His work continues to impact both the academic and professional engineering communities.
Before joining Stellar, Lindsay ran her own consulting agency, specializing in crypto infrastructure projects and advising organizations on navigating the evolving blockchain landscape. A passionate advocate for thoughtful regulation and innovation, she holds an MS in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and has experience in technology policy.
In addition to her professional work, Lindsay is the host of the Seeking Alpha Podcast, where she dives into the personal and professional journeys of individuals in the crypto space. Her multifaceted experience bridges the gap between technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and community building in the blockchain industry.
Her engagement in the crypto community includes organizing Chicago’s largest blockchain community group, the Bitcoin and Open Blockchain meetup, for five years. As an educator, Hannah has taught blockchain courses at UIC's College of Business Administration. Currently, she works as a Developer Advocate for Lightning Labs, where she helps further the adoption of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
His art has been featured in various mediums, including murals, exhibitions, and products, and he has expanded his reach into the blockchain space, further blending traditional art with innovative digital platforms. Eliezer's work continues to explore the intersection of culture, technology, and creativity, making him a unique figure in contemporary Puerto Rican art.
Outside of his work in crypto journalism, Nikhilesh enjoys admiring Amtrak trains and building LEGO models, especially trains. He holds less than $50 in Bitcoin and under $20 in Ethereum. In recognition of his contributions to cryptocurrency journalism, Nikhilesh was named the Association of Cryptocurrency Journalists and Researchers' Journalist of the Year in 2020.