Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Whisky investment is increasingly viewed as a long-term, scarcity-driven asset, supported by premiumisation and structurally limited supply. As demand expands beyond traditional whisky markets, Asia has become a central focus for investors. In Asia, China plays a growing role in shaping demand dynamics, influencing everything from consumption patterns to investment timelines, and adding a new dimension to how global whisky portfolios are constructed. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong sits down with Jason Chong, Director of Business Development at Whisky Cask Club, to explore how Asia is driving global whisky demand and what investors need to know to navigate this fast-growing market.

Singapore shares fell today after crossing the 4,900 mark yesterday. The Straits Times Index was down 0.42% at 4,902.23 points at 2.18pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.09B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have ST Engineering, after the group announced today that its total contract awards for 2025 reached a record S$18.7 billion, exceeding the S$12.6 billion total in 2024 by about 49 per cent.  Elsewhere, from how gold broke through US$5,200 for the first time today, to how China has reportedly approved its first batch of Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chips for import, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kenneth Goh, Director, Private Wealth Management, UOB Kay Hian.

More Singaporeans are set to get a bigger boost to their retirement and healthcare savings. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Manpower, and the CPF Board announced that the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme will cover more Singaporeans, with the government providing matching contributions for CPF top-ups. In addition, a new Matched MediSave Scheme is being introduced as a five-year pilot, helping around 185,000 older Singaporeans with lower MediSave balances. How do these schemes work? Who stands to gain the most, and who might still miss out? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Lena Teng, Learning & Development and CPF Specialist at Providend, to break it all down.

The gemstone market is gaining renewed attention as investors increasingly look beyond traditional financial instruments in search of scarcity, resilience, and long-term value. Specifically in the UK, demand for gemstones is projected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2026, with London continuing to play a central role as a global hub for gemstone trading, auctions, and certification, shaping pricing and investment trends worldwide. And as interest grows, investors are increasingly focused on whether gemstones can function as credible investment assets rather than purely luxury goods. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Danilo Giannoni, Founder & Director, Arte Oro, to explore the investment case for gemstones, the risks involved, and what this market means for investors globally.

Which internet mood meme are you today - the “Nihilist Penguin” who just wants to walk away from it all or the daredevil who climbs Taipei 101 without a rope? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada break down two internet moods: the “Nihilist Penguin” meme and Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 free solo climb. They explore how a penguin walking toward its own death became a symbol of modern anxiety and quiet quitting  and why audiences are equally captivated by a man scaling a 508-metre skyscraper without safety gear.

Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) broke new ground this morning and crossed the 4,900 threshold for the first time. The benchmark index hit a historic record high of 4,912.46 points in early trade, driven by gains made by its constituents – the 30 largest and most liquid companies on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). In terms of counters to watch today, we have OUE Reit, after the manager of OUE Reit yesterday posted a distribution per unit (DPU) of S$0.0125 for the second-half ended December, up 10.6 per cent year on year from S$0.0113.  Elsewhere, from how US President Donald Trump said he would increase tariffs on certain imports from South Korea into the US to 25%, to how Nvidia invested an additional US$2 billion in cloud computing firm and key customer CoreWeave, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus.    On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital.

Stablecoins are no longer just a niche corner of the crypto world; they’re increasingly shaping the future of money. With issuance projected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2030 and potentially $4 trillion in a bull-case scenario, these digital assets are moving beyond crypto trading into e-commerce, cross-border payments, and household use. Could early movers in stablecoins and DeFi platforms see outsized returns, or will regulatory and technological hurdles limit their potential? How should investors navigate a landscape where bank tokens, tokenized deposits, and other digital alternatives compete for attention? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Michael Ho, Partner, Financial Services, Oliver Wyman, to find out what the stablecoin boom means for the future of finance.

Singapore’s property market has always been competitive, but a recent investigation by The Straits Times has uncovered a worrying trend. Some agents are using 'bait-style' listings to attract buyers with prices that seem too good to be true, and often, they really are. From eye-catching show-flat photos to promises of 'direct-from-developer' deals, these listings can mislead buyers and distort the market. So how common are these 'too good to be true' listings? What happens when a property advertised as a bargain turns out to be misleading? And are there warning signs buyers should watch out for? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Joyce Lim, Senior Correspondent at The Straits Times, to find out more.  

Is pickleball already old news? On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh look at whether TYPTI — a new racquet sport dubbed the “snowboarding of the racquet world” — could be the next big hype. Backed by celebrities and pro athletes, TYPTI promises longer rallies, more spin, less noise, and a fresh alternative for players who find pickleball too simple or too loud.  They also dive into the world of Lego. First, the hype: Lego Crocs are here — yes, real, yes, $300 — combining childhood nostalgia with fashion-forward clogs. But it’s not all glitz. They also share the inspiring story of an 85-year-old grandmother from China who discovered Lego for the first time while recovering from a hand injury in Canada. Brick by brick, she built massive sets like Hogwarts Castle, proving that play can be transformative at any age.    

Singapore shares fell today, tracking movements in Asian markets. The Straits Times Index was down 0.66% at 4,859.01 points at 2.20pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$986.49M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have MoneyMax Financial, after the Catalist-listed pawnbroker on Friday attained in-principle approval from the Singapore Exchange for the transfer of its listing to the bourse’s mainboard.  Elsewhere, from how the Singapore dollar strengthened to its strongest level against the greenback since late 2014, to gold crossing the psychological US$5,000 mark, more local and economic headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – what to watch this week, from big tech earnings to a Fed rate decision, as well as succession issues at luxury conglomerate LVMH. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.