The Afternoon Update with Lynlee Foo

Losses from cryptocurrency-related scams grew in Singapore, where over S$32.6 million has been lost to investment fraud since January. Authorities say people are falling prey to such ruses as scammers look to break into digital wallets to siphon funds from them. Jag Foo, Chair of the Blockchain Security and Compliance Committee, with the Global Fintech Institute, and Partner at digital assets solutions firm SafeHeron, Jag shares his perspectives on the evolving tactics used by scammers including the role of social engineering in scams, and offers insights on how investors and institutions can better protect themselves in an increasingly complex crypto landscape.

The World Economic Forum recently reporting that 72% of organisations saw increased cyber risks in 2024. According to the WEF’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook for 2025, ransomware is the top organisational cyber risk this year. With global cyber threats on the rise, Jess Ng, Country Head for Singapore and Brunei at cybersecurity firm Fortinet, discusses how organisations can bolster their defenses, and the critical importance of international cooperation in securing the digital frontier. 

Real estate investment across Asia Pacific is set for a shift in 2025, driven by optimism around interest rate cuts and evolving market dynamics. The optimism is reflected in CBRE’s 2025 Asia Pacific Investor Intentions Survey released recently, which uncovered an improvement in buying intentions across most markets in Asia Pacific this year. Over half of the respondents in the survey indicated their preference to buy more real estate in 2025. Greg Hyland, Head of Capital Markets APAC at CBRE, shares his insights and unpacks the key trends shaping investor sentiment and the challenges ahead.

The future of digital engagement is here. Banking industry veteran Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures, Standard Chartered Bank’s innovation, fintech, investment and ventures arm, shares his perspectives on immersive technologies transforming how people experience and engage with events, e-commerce and tourism. Alex also talks about his upcoming book, Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained, Rewiring the DNA in Banking which aims to resonate with people wanting to transform businesses and adapt to the changing world. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at how SC Ventures,  embraced disruption to thrive in an era of rapid change.

Modern wireless charging systems with increased efficiency and cost-optimised components are proving to be a game changer in the manufacturing sector. As industries embrace automation and green energy solutions, the demand for efficient and scalable charging systems has never been greater. From electric vehicles to industrial robotics, wireless charging is offering unprecedented flexibility and sustainability. What are the trends in this dynamic and rapidly growing wireless charging market? Dr. Chin Foong Tong, Founder and CEO of Xnergy, a pioneering company in wireless charging, shares insights into the market and the ways the innovation is transforming industries such as electric vehicles, industrial robotics, and consumer electronics. Dr Tong also discusses the key drivers of growth, the future of the wireless landscape and the Singapore headquartered-Xnergy's technology to reduce waste, prolong battery life, and adapt to various environmental conditions.

Investing in high-value art is no longer just for the ultra-wealthy. The rise of fractional art ownership has lowered the bar to entry for art investing, providing opportunities for more individuals to quickly and easily participate in the art market. Low Sok Leng, Founder of art gallery ARTualize, shares more about Singapore's art market, the shift towards accessibility and the vision for her innovative brainchild,We Are Art Collectors - a first-of-its-kind fractional art ownership platform. With the platform, art enthusiasts can own a stake in masterpieces by renowned local artists starting from $1,000.    

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, and real estate is no exception. From streamlining property searches to automating transactions, AI is changing how buyers, sellers, and agents interact with the market. Gerald Sim, is Co-Founder and CEO of Singapore property search portal Mogul.sg. Mogul.sg, which harnesses geospatial data technology and integration of artificial intelligence recently launched an AI agent, the first of its kind in Singapore.  

Singapore's solar energy deployment as at June 2024, is1.35 gigawatt, on track to meet its 2025 targets under the Singapore Green 2030 plan. Citing the data, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng said this meets around 2 per cent of Singapore's annual electricity demand. With clean energy sources projected to meet more than a third of the growth in energy demand in Southeast Asia by 2035, there is immense potential for clean energy development. What are the current trends in the renewable energy sector and how is its role progressing in shaping a greener grid in this region? Matthijs Guichelaar, is Co-Founder and CEO of Flo Energy, a leading independent electricity retailer in Singapore supplying 100% renewable energy to its customers. Matthijs shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in the renewable energy landscape and what it takes to make clean power more accessible.

Facilities management impacts our daily lives in ways we often overlook. As businesses evolve, the demand for seamless workplace solutions and home services is greater than ever. Companies are seeking smarter ways to manage their spaces, while individuals look for convenience without compromising quality. What are the latest trends and innovations shaping the industry? Daniel Thong, Founder and CEO and Fareed Mustakin, Product Lead & Director ofNimbus, share more about office facilities management, and how technology, service excellence, and new business models are redefining the way we interact with the spaces around us.

The convergence of AI and cryptocurrency is a fusion of two of the most transformative technologies of the last decade. While AI has the potential to optimise a lot of what we see in cryptocurrency, from automated trading strategies to improving security through advanced fraud detection algorithms, crypto provides a decentralised and transparent infrastructure, which can be used to incentivise data-sharing, tokenisation, and even governance of AI systems. In the second part of a two-part interview, we dive into the potential risks emerging from the convergence of AI and cryptocurrency with Kay Van Peterson, Co-Founder & Partner at Final Upgrade AI and Principal at Ascent Capital & the HODL Group, who shares insights into some of the risks and how to manage them.