José Navalon is Lead Backend Developer, he joined the company in 2021.
Reflecting on the 4-year Journey
You’ve been with the company for four years, as a Lead Backend Developer. How has the company supported your growth during this time?
These 4 years at Tokeny have honestly flown by. From the beginning, I’ve had a lot of freedom to propose ideas, build things from scratch, and push improvements across the backend. That kind of trust and ownership really helped me grow, not just technically but also in how I approach teamwork and long-term architecture. It’s been a great place to keep learning while actually making an impact.
Tokeny’s Culture Involvement
Tokeny has grown significantly since you joined. How has the company culture evolved in your opinion?
When I joined, Tokeny felt very startup-like. The team was small, and everyone wore multiple hats. Even though we’ve grown a lot, that openness and transparency are still there. What’s changed is that the different departments are way more aligned now. Marketing, product, tech… we’re all more connected, and that helps a lot in daily work.
How would you describe your own personal growth within the company?
I’ve definitely grown a lot here. In the beginning, I focused mostly on solving backend tasks, but over time I started thinking more about the full picture: scalability, performance, developer experience, and how backend supports business needs. I’ve also learned how to mentor others, manage complexity better, and communicate across teams. I guess I’ve moved from just coding to building systems that last.
The last point I’d like to emphasize is that our team is committed to both achieving results and maintaining work-life balance. When urgent matters arise, we tackle them swiftly and efficiently, ensuring that nothing is left unresolved. At the same time, if no urgent issues arise, we ensure that our team members can fully enjoy their holidays, recognizing that recharging is essential for sustained performance. This balanced approach allows us to consistently deliver exceptional results while keeping the team motivated and at their best.
Company Values in Practice
You mentioned in your previous interview how much you enjoyed working with a team that is honest and transparent. Can you share an example of a project where you or your team used this honesty, and how it was received?
One example that sticks with me was during a backend refactor. Halfway through, we realized our initial plan wasn’t working well. Instead of pushing forward blindly, we stopped, had a proper conversation, and agreed to pivot. It was a bit uncomfortable at first, but being honest saved us time and stress. And the team appreciated the transparency. It turned into a better solution in the end.
Reflections and Future Outlook
If you could give advice to your younger self, just starting out at Tokeny, what would it be?
I’d probably tell myself: “Don’t try to be the hero, collaborate more, and ask questions earlier.” Also: “Write better docs. Future-you will hate current-you if you don’t.” ?And finally: enjoy the ride, it’s a great team and there’s a lot to learn if you stay curious
As someone who has been with the company through significant milestones, where do you see Tokeny going in the next five years, and how do you envision your role evolving in that journey?
I think Tokeny is on track to become one of the key players in regulated digital assets, especially as more institutions look for serious infrastructure.
Potentially even opening new products or markets. I’d love to keep helping with that, especially on the architecture side, and also mentoring new developers as the team grows.
Finally, as we’ve gotten to know you over the years, you’ve often shared your love for cooking traditional Valencian dishes. Do any learnings or skills from these hobbies translate into your work at Tokeny
For me, it’s all about timing, balance, and attention to detail. That actually translates really well into how I work. In backend development, you also need the right ingredients, a solid plan, and a lot of care to build something that works smoothly. Both give me that same feeling when everything comes together just right.
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