#Ep31 - Joshua Roy -Beyond the horizon: AI, Blockchain, and the Labrys vision

Independent Reserve Podcast returns with Joshua Royce, 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. Royce 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.00:00 Podcast Return and Guest Intro01:13 Labrys Origin Story03:26 Notable Projects and Clients05:27 Global Expansion and Market Shifts06:19 Clients Getting Smarter08:43 Team Size and Growth9:06 Budget CGT and Startups11:10 AI Productivity Explosion12:57 Implementing AI for Context21:39 AI Strategy and AI-Run Agency23:26 Faster Prototyping and VC Bar25:13 Next 12 Months Cybersecurity29:28 Five-Year Outlook and Superpowers32:11 AI Everywhere Cheap Chips32:29 AI Grocery Automation33:04 Human Time and Connection34:03 Blockchain Meets AI36:50 Beyond Payments Use Cases38:36 Data Ownership Markets39:53 Public Records on Chain43:52 Crypto Image and Maturity47:27 Institutions Drive Adoption49:45 Labrys Roadmap and AI Strategy51:57 Conference Culture and Karaoke54:18 Where Asia Is Heating Up56:47 Why Korea and Japan Are Hard59:16 Postwar Roots of Gatekeeping01:00:44 Japan Inc Hangover01:01:39 Korea Web3 Catchup01:02:56 Expansion Plans Hong Kong01:04:15 Australia vs US Tech Gap01:05:28 Making Australia a Tech Hub01:06:28 Founder Support and R&D Incentives01:07:57 Funding IP and Innovation01:09:41 DECA Hopes and Local Progress01:11:24 Regulation Tradeoffs and Clarity01:13:49 Conference Tales and F1 Buzz01:15:15 Car Mods and Tinkering01:20:25 Tech Optimism and Dystopia01:23:03 Wrap Up and How to Reach Labrys