Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Private markets are gaining serious traction in South-east Asia, with Singapore leading the charge as a regional powerhouse. In 2024, the city-state captured nearly half of all private equity deal value and volume in the region — a clear sign of shifting investor appetite.  As more retail investors eye alternative assets for long-term, diversified growth, the spotlight is now on what makes private markets so compelling — and what hidden risks may lie beneath the surface. What’s driving this surge in interest across the region?  How should investors assess opportunities in an asset class known for its complexity and illiquidity?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Lorraine Tan, Director of Equity Research, Asia, Morningstar and Wing Chan, Director of Manager Research, Morningstar, to find out more.

RKOH Media is a boutique ecommerce growth agency helping 7- and 8-figure DTC brands scale profitably through its proprietary In-and-Out Marketing Ecosystem. Unlike traditional agencies, RKOH Media builds end-to-end acquisition systems that are performance-driven, automation-backed, and built for net profit, and not just top-line revenue. With a bold 90-day results guarantee, the agency has helped generate over $11 million in revenue for brands across the US, Europe, and Asia. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Ryan Koh, Founder & CEO, RKOH Media, to find out more.

In five years, self-driving vehicles could ply Singapore’s roads and eventually change the dynamics of driving, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are part of plans to improve the country’s public transport system, which the newly minted politician has declared as his priority. What role will AVs play in shaping the future of urban mobility in Singapore? How will this shift impact drivers, commuters, and existing transport infrastructure? And what challenges lie ahead in integrating these technologies into daily life? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Terence Fan, Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education); Academic Director, Accreditation, Singapore Management University to find out more. 

Singapore shares rose today even as global investors remained cautious in light of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. The Straits Times Index was up 0.38% at 3,923.23 points at 2.33pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$575.62M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Singapore Airlines, after the national carrier and its low-cost arm Scoot reported a 3.1 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic in May, which eased from the previous month’s growth.  Elsewhere, from the Bank of Japan keeping its interest rates steady as widely expected to how central banks around the world are now favouring gold over the US dollar for reserves – more international headlines remain in focus.  On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeremy Tan, CEO, Tiger Fund Management.

Michael Saylor has become Bitcoin’s most high-profile corporate evangelist, amassing a staggering $60 billion worth of the crypto giant. His company’s stock has soared more than tenfold since embracing Bitcoin in 2020 — inspiring a wave of copycats across industries.  Now, from pharma to tech startups, companies are betting their futures on Bitcoin to boost stock prices and reshape their identities.  But beneath the hype lurk urgent questions: Are these firms truly committed to crypto’s potential, or chasing a risky gamble? With volatility, regulatory pressure, and shifting accounting rules on the horizon, can this bold strategy survive — or is corporate crypto facing a reckoning? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Carney Mak, Chief Strategy Officer at Tokenize Xchange, to find out more.

Singapore’s pet market is booming, but behind the wagging tails and adorable puppy pics, there’s a deeper conversation happening about ethics, transparency, and health. PupUp is a startup looking to tackle the often murky world of puppy sourcing with heart, tech, and a strong sense of responsibility. PupUp connects families directly with ethical breeders abroad, ensuring transparency, strict health standards, and a full support system that lasts long after the puppy arrives. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Megan Tan, CEO and Founder, PupUp to find out more. 

Thiruben Thana Rajan recently shattered a 38-year-old national record in the 800m at the Asian Athletics Championships - and that's just the start. From injury comebacks to podium dreams, he sits down with Sports Minutes to share how he balances a full-time job with full-speed ambition. This is more than just a win on track - it’s a story of persistence, planning, and passion. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore stocks fell today as investors continue to monitor the escalating conflict in the Middle East between Iran and Israel.  The Straits Times Index dropped 0.33% at 3,898.54 points at about 11.32am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$414.04M seen in the broader market.  In terms of counters to watch, we have Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust, ESR Reit,  Sabana Industrial Reit; Acrophyte Hospitality Trust.  That is because ESR Group, which is the sponsor of Suntec Reit, ESR Reit, Sabana Industrial Reit and Acrophyte Hospitality Trust, is expected to delist from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on the 3rd of July as its shareholders on Friday approved a scheme resolution to privatise it.  Elsewhere, from shares of SGX-listed oil and gas counters surging amid a rally in oil prices, to market expectations ahead of a slew of central bank decisions out this week – more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

Prices surged, then quickly gave up gains as escalating tensions between Iran and Israel rattled a region responsible for a third of the world’s crude. But behind the short-term volatility lies a deeper shift in the global energy landscape—one that could redefine the future of oil demand. While Brent and WTI recently notched their strongest weeks of the year earlier this month, some analysts warn that the momentum may be fleeting, with prices potentially dipping into the $40s. At the same time, the global center of energy demand is beginning to tilt—from China to a rapidly rising India. As the world’s fastest-growing oil and gas market steps into the spotlight, key questions emerge: Can India sustain this growth? What does this mean for global supply, prices, and geopolitics? And how will the evolving role of natural gas fit into this new equation? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Lin Ye, Vice President, Commodities Markets – Oil at Rystad Energy, to find out more. 

Tensions have ramped up between Israel and Iran, marked by direct, deadly missile strikes. Cities are burning, casualties are mounting, and the world is watching with growing alarm. As leaders of the G7 huddle in the Canadian Rockies, the threat of a broader regional war looms large. Has the red line been crossed? Can diplomacy still pull this back from the brink? And what’s really at stake if this spiral continues unchecked? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney to find out more.