Podcast
Beyond the horizon
A conversation about blockchain, AI and building a software business.
Recorded in May 2026 while I was CEO at Labrys, this conversation with Independent Reserve explores blockchain, AI and building a software business. Use the chapters to jump to the questions that interest you.
Episode chapters
- 0:00 Podcast Return and Guest Intro
- 1:13 Labrys Origin Story
- 3:26 Notable Projects and Clients
- 5:27 Global Expansion and Market Shifts
- 6:19 Clients Getting Smarter
- 8:43 Team Size and Growth
- 9:06 Budget CGT and Startups
- 11:10 AI Productivity Explosion
- 12:57 Implementing AI for Context
- 21:39 AI Strategy and AI-Run Agency
- 23:26 Faster Prototyping and VC Bar
- 25:13 Next 12 Months Cybersecurity
- 29:28 Five-Year Outlook and Superpowers
- 32:11 AI Everywhere Cheap Chips
- 32:29 AI Grocery Automation
- 33:04 Human Time and Connection
- 34:03 Blockchain Meets AI
- 36:50 Beyond Payments Use Cases
- 38:36 Data Ownership Markets
- 39:53 Public Records on Chain
- 43:52 Crypto Image and Maturity
- 47:27 Institutions Drive Adoption
- 49:45 Labrys Roadmap and AI Strategy
- 51:57 Conference Culture and Karaoke
- 54:18 Where Asia Is Heating Up
- 56:47 Why Korea and Japan Are Hard
- 59:16 Postwar Roots of Gatekeeping
- 1:00:44 Japan Inc Hangover
- 1:01:39 Korea Web3 Catchup
- 1:02:56 Expansion Plans Hong Kong
- 1:04:15 Australia vs US Tech Gap
- 1:05:28 Making Australia a Tech Hub
- 1:06:28 Founder Support and R&D Incentives
- 1:07:57 Funding IP and Innovation
- 1:09:41 DECA Hopes and Local Progress
- 1:11:24 Regulation Tradeoffs and Clarity
- 1:13:49 Conference Tales and F1 Buzz
- 1:15:15 Car Mods and Tinkering
- 1:20:25 Tech Optimism and Dystopia
- 1:23:03 Wrap Up and How to Reach Labrys
Episode notes
Independent Reserve Podcast returns with Joshua Roy, CEO of Labrys Technologies, discussing Labrys’ origins at QUT in 2017, its shift from a blockchain lending product to a 35-person software consultancy, and notable work including building Swell Network’s staking protocol, the Petra Staking Manager, and infrastructure for Peer2 (acquired by Bitmine), plus projects across gaming, real estate (Ray White), and legal/property settlement. Roy explains how clients’ blockchain knowledge has matured from education-heavy engagements to execution-focused delivery, and how AI is making developers 3–4x faster while shifting strategy toward protecting human “context” and redefining responsibilities. They cover budget CGT changes, faster prototyping expectations from VCs, cybersecurity becoming “when, not if” systems are hacked, and blockchain’s role in payments for AI agents, stablecoins, supply chain, personal data monetisation, and public registries. The conversation also touches on global hubs (US, Hong Kong, Singapore), Australia’s tech gaps, and Labrys’ brand refresh and expansion plans centred on Hong Kong.
Notes from The IR Crypto & Bitcoin Podcast, 17 May 2026.