Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

The PAP celebrated a resounding victory at the 2025 General Election held on 3rd of May, where we saw a landslide victory in their favour, winning 87 out of 97 seats. However, how did this happen when just a mere few days ago we saw a lot of noise online which put the opposition parties as the favourable candidates to be elected into Parliament.  On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Terence Chia, Co-Host of Yah Lah BUT Podcast and Daniel Lim, Co-Host of The Daily Ketchup Podcast, in order to find out whether social media overhyped expectations for change in GE2025?

OCBC posted a 5% drop in Q1 profit to S$1.88 billion, beating expectations despite lower net interest income. ST Engineering reported a strong 8% rise in revenue for Q1, driven by robust contract wins. Meanwhile, tensions are rising in India following escalating hostilities with Pakistan, adding uncertainty to the markets. On the global trade front, the US and UK have hailed a ‘breakthrough’ deal, while all eyes are on this weekend’s crucial trade talks between the US and China. What do these developments mean for investors, and how could they impact market sentiment?  On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS, to discuss the latest market movements.

Bitcoin is evolving from a passive store of value into an active foundation for decentralized finance, known as BTCFi. With total value locked growing from $300 million to over $6.6 billion in just a year, BTCFi is unlocking new use cases like lending, restaking, stablecoins, and decentralized trading—without sacrificing Bitcoin’s core principles of decentralization and self-custody. So what’s BTCFi’s investment potential? What about its key risks and the catalysts that could drive or hinder its long-term success? And what must happen for BTCFi to scale meaningfully? On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Takatoshi Shibayama, Head of APAC, Ledger and Podcast Host of Blockcast to find out more.    Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg)  Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

A Chinese calligraphy piece by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam raised $308,888 at an online charity auction for the Singapore Red Cross. The artwork, bearing the characters “tong xin xie li, yu shi bing jin” which means“work together with one heart and move forward with the times”, was sold to philanthropist Mr. Fang Angzhen. All proceeds will support the Red Cross' initiatives for children, youth, elderly, and persons with disabilities.

As ESG regulations tighten across Southeast Asia, Singapore is stepping up with tangible tech infrastructure to support the region’s transition. One of the latest developments: a new AI-powered sustainability reporting platform, jointly launched in Indonesia by Singapore-based MVGX and BDO in Indonesia. This platform automates ESG reporting, slashing timelines by half, while aligning with international standards like the Global Reporting Initiative and the ISSB International Sustainability Standards Board. But, it’s more than a tech story; it is a signal of how Singapore is exporting sustainability innovation, and treating ESG not as a box-ticking exercise but as a strategic business advantage. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Bo Bai, Chairman and Co-founder of MVGX to find out more.    Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg)  Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

For the first time since 1972, independent candidates turned out to be the more popular choice during Singapore’s General Elections.  GE2025 saw an independent candidate in Mountbatten SMC, winning 36.16% of the vote, making it The highest vote share for an independent in the constituency in over 50 years. Hongbing Jeong speaks to Jeremy Tan, the former candidate who ran for Mountbatten SMC during GE2025, to learn more about his participation in GE2025 and finding out what’s next for him as he continues to engage Singaporeans beyond the ballot box. 

DBS has just released its first-quarter earnings, reporting a 2% dip in net profit to S$2.9 billion, primarily due to the global minimum tax. UOB also reported its latest results, showing strong performance in its core businesses, with profit growth driven by robust loan demand and a healthy asset quality. Meanwhile, Disney posted impressive earnings, beating expectations with a 7% increase in revenue, driven by resilient demand at U.S. theme parks and a surprisingly strong performance in its streaming business. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, with Chair Jerome Powell emphasizing that more data is needed before adjusting policy, while ruling out any preemptive rate cuts in light of inflation still running above target. On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to David Chow, Director at Azure Capital, to discuss the latest market movement.

With 1.4 billion adults still unbanked globally and billions of people depending on costly remittances, the PayFi model is offering a groundbreaking alternative. According to the latest PayFi Report by Foresight Ventures and Bitget Wallet, the PayFi model, which combines DeFi with everyday spending, is not only a way to reduce transaction costs but also an innovative way to democratize financial access. What are the broader implications of the PayFi model and how are crypto wallets becoming an essential tool for managing personal finance? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Alice Li, Head of North America for Foresight Ventures to find out more. 

As AI adoption accelerates across the Asia-Pacific region, so too does the wave of legislation aimed at ensuring its safe, fair, and ethical use. In this rapidly evolving landscape, businesses are under pressure to remain both compliant and competitive. This is where Straits Interactive steps in. Straits Interactive empowers organisations to thrive in the digital age with AI-enhanced training and expert-led governance. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Alvin Toh, Co-Founder of Straits Interactive to find out more. 

Cheng Yongmao dedicated 20 years of his life to restoring the most dangerous section of the Great Wall of China. His relentless commitment to preserving this historic landmark, using ancient techniques and facing incredible challenges, has left a lasting legacy. Through his work, he has not only protected a national treasure but also ensured its authenticity for generations to come.