The world of crypto moves at lightning speed, and so do the minds shaping its future. On a riveting episode of The CoinRock Show, host Matthias Mazur sat down with 24-year-old angel investor Kosuke Yokoyama, the founder of Agos Labs, a Japanese entrepreneur who has already exited a successful media business, navigated the highs and lows of crypto, and is now building AI-powered solutions for social media.
The conversation covered everything from Web3’s evolution to startup investing, AI’s role in the future of business, and the brutal lessons learned along the way.
Kosuke’s Journey From Startup Exit to Crypto
Kosuke’s journey into investing didn’t start in crypto—it began in the world of Web2. In 2019, at just 19 years old, he launched a digital media company in Japan, focusing on content creation and audience growth.
Within 12 months, he scaled the company’s revenue to six figures and successfully exited. The decision to sell was based more on gut instinct than financial strategy, but as Kosuke later discovered, he had undervalued his own company—the valuation was nearly 50% lower than market averages for similar media businesses.
“Even if you exit at a much lower multiple than you would if you knew what you know today, a win is a win.” – Matthias
With capital from his exit, he turned his attention to crypto in 2020, diving headfirst into Bitcoin, Ethereum, and blockchain gaming. He experimented with early NFT projects, DeFi platforms, and blockchain-based gaming, gaining hands-on experience in the fast-moving world of Web3.
The 2020-2021 crypto boom fascinated him—the volatility, the innovation, and the global financial connectivity were unlike anything in traditional markets. But, as many in crypto learn the hard way, fortunes can rise and fall overnight.
Kosuke soon experienced firsthand the market crashes of 2021 and 2022, losing a significant portion of his early investments but gaining invaluable insights into tokenomics, market cycles, and investor psychology.
Crypto’s Hard Lessons
Kosuke wasn’t just an investor—he became a builder. His first Web3 project, Meta Strikers, a blockchain-based football game, raised $1.3 million in funding and gained traction in Japan’s gaming market, generating over $3 million in sales within three months. The game attracted thousands of users, leveraging NFT-based assets and play-to-earn mechanics.
However, the dream came crashing down after a devastating fraud incident where a fake listing manager deceived the team, resulting in the loss of over 40% of the project’s market value. The scam forced Meta Strikers to delist its token and ultimately shut down.
“We removed all liquidity and compensated every investor. After that, we tried to rebuild, but it didn’t work out.” – Kosuke
While many would have walked away from the industry, Kosuke saw the experience as an expensive but invaluable lesson. He pivoted, leveraging his network to launch an advisory agency for Web3 gaming projects, helping developers with tokenomics, marketing, and exchange listings, before moving into his next big bet—AI.
AI Agents Are Smart Way to Work
Kosuke’s latest venture is an AI-driven platform designed to act as a super employee—a social media manager who never sleeps. His AI agents research, create content, analyze trends, and even handle outbound messaging, streamlining the work of marketing teams. He believes the rise of AI agents will reshape how businesses operate.
“AI won’t replace humans. But people who know how to use AI will replace those who don’t.” – Kosuke
The integration of blockchain and AI is the next frontier. Kosuke envisions AI agents managing financial transactions through crypto wallets, making autonomous decisions, and handling business processes more efficiently than humans ever could.
The Future of Crypto & Innovation
Japan’s crypto regulation remains strict, but Kosuke remains optimistic about its future. With entrepreneurs moving to friendlier jurisdictions like Dubai, there’s a global shift in where Web3 innovation is thriving. He also believes that while crypto has seen its share of scams and downturns, it’s still in its early days.
“If you get anything right in your first business, it’s a big win because it sets you up for everything that follows.” – Matthias
As for advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Start now, embrace failure, and take action.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. They are your best teachers.” – Kosuke
With young innovators like Kosuke leading the charge, the next era of crypto and AI is set to be a thrilling ride.
Know More About Kosuke Yokohama?
You can connect with Kosuke Yokoyama, the founder of Agos Labs, through several online platforms:
- Agos Labs Official Website: Agos Labs
- X (Formally Twitter): Kosuke’s 24.9k Followers
- Twitter: Check Twitter for Agos Labs
