Claim OwnershipMoney Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian
Subscribed: 69Played: 14,297
Subscribe
© 2026 Money FM
Description
Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.
4989 Episodes
Reverse
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It is back to the real estate sector today as we take you through the ins and outs of a real estate management services group that recently spun off its coliving arm on the Singapore Exchange. You might have guessed it by now. Yes we are talking about the majority shareholder of coliving brand Coliwoo, or the SGX mainboard listed LHN Group. Established in 1991, LHN Group prides itself with the ability to generate value for space owners and users alike with its expertise in Space Optimisation. The firm engages in four types of business operations, namely (1) space optimisation, where it redesigns unused, old and under-utilised spaces to maximise leasable area, (2) property development and investment where it engages in the acquisition, development and sale of properties, (3) facilities management including the provision of car park and energy management services, and finally (4) energy solutions, including the provision of charging stations for electric vehicles. LHN had in November posted a net profit of S$5.9 million for the half-year ended September 2025. The performance marks an 82.7 per cent decrease from levels seen in the previous year, on the back of fair value losses on its investment properties. Revenue for the same period, though fell by a more modest 8.4 per cent on the year to S$60.9 million. So how does the firm assess its latest performance and what will be the key drivers of growth going forward? Meanwhile, the firm’s coliving subsidiary Coliwoo went public on the Singapore Exchange in November 2025. The move was said to help LHN better allocate resources within the remaining businesses within the group. So how far are we seeing that play out? Speaking of resource allocation, LHN Group appears to be doubling down on its space optimisation business through its storage solutions subsidiary Work+Store. So how important will Work+Store be to the firm post-listing of Coliwoo? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Kelvin Lim, Executive Chairman and Executive Director of LHN Group and Danny Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Work+Store. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore’s carbon tax has nearly doubled, jumping from $25 to $45 per tonne, and that change is starting to show up where it matters most: household utility bills. The average four-room HDB flat could soon pay more each month, even if falling energy prices are offering short-term relief.With rebates in place for now but bigger hikes ahead, what does this really mean for your wallet, and are Singaporeans ready for the long-term impact? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Chua Yeow Hwee, Assistant Professor in Economics at the Nanyang Technological University, and Honorary Secretary of the Economics Society of Singapore, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After a year marked by trade shocks, political uncertainty, and a sharp pause in dealmaking, private markets are entering 2026 with a very different tone. Confidence is rebuilding, activity is picking up, and capital is once again moving, but beneath the surface, investors are still asking some hard questions about liquidity, valuations, and what comes next. So how durable is this recovery? Where are the real opportunities, and what risks are still being underestimated? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dominic Goh, Managing Director, HarbourVest Partners to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into how a college student went viral after emailing her professor for permission to use her iPad in class to join the BTS ticket queue, sparking a wider conversation about how far fans will go for concert tickets. That debate only intensified when fans were revealed to be flying to South Korea to use ultra-fast PC café internet to gain an edge in ticketing wars, despite the steep costs of flights, accommodation, and premium seats, raising the big question: just how much is one concert worth?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares rose today, driven by banking heavyweights UOB and OCBC. The Straits Times Index was up 1.26% at 4,889.27 points at 2.34pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.17B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust, after the Reit recorded a distribution per unit (DPU) of S$0.0388 (3.88 Singapore cents) for the second half-year ended Dec 31, 2025. Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s full-year core inflation for 2025 came in at 0.7 per cent, to how the Bank of Japan raised its growth estimate and maintained its hawkish inflation forecasts as it kept interest rates steady, more economic headlines remained in focus. Also on deck – more on Intel’s latest results as the chipmaker struggles to meet AI data centre demand. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When change happens behind the scenes and silence follows online, speculation fills the void. So with Hougang United in flux, Sports Minutes sits down with Panarai “Otto” Pansiri and Walid Lounis to separate fact from fiction. Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US President Donald Trump is rolling out his latest global gambit: the “Board of Peace.” With an eye-popping $1 billion price tag for permanent seats and an invitation-only model, the initiative is already raising eyebrows. Is it a genuine attempt to stabilize conflict zones like Gaza, or a bold move to sideline the United Nations and reshape global governance? Who stands to gain, and who might be left out? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Amin Saikal, Adjunct Senior Fellow at S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU, to find out more. We explore what this $1B experiment could mean for diplomacy, global power, and the future of international institutions, and why countries like Singapore are reportedly still weighing whether to join.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One episode. Two very different takes on family. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong is joined with Sports Minutes host Ziaul Raushan to dive into family drama and family goals. They discuss the recent Beckham family feud, from wedding snubs to social media blockings, before turning to a far more uplifting story: an 81-year-old grandmother who became a Minecraft streamer to support her grandson, and in the process captured hearts around the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
All eyes are on Japan’s yen. The currency has been sliding to levels we haven’t seen in almost two years, edging close to the 160 mark against the US dollar. That’s putting policymakers on alert, with warnings about sharp, one-way moves and what they could mean for the wider economy. So what’s behind this sustained weakness in the yen? And if the slide continues, how might it affect Japan, and ripple through global markets? To unpack this, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Peter Chia, Senior FX Strategist at UOB, on Wealth Tracker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares inched higher today, tracking a positive session seen on Wall Street overnight. The Straits Times Index was up 0.44% at 4,830.89 points at 11.48am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$853.16M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Info-Tech Systems, after the software provider said yesterday that it expects to report a “considerable increase” in its consolidated net profit for FY2025, compared with the full-year ended Dec 31, 2024. Elsewhere, from how US President Donald Trump retreated from using threats of force as an option for acquiring Greenland and what that means for markets, to how South Korea’s stock benchmark topped 5,000 points for the first time, more international headlines remained in focus. Also on deck, Toku’s IPO on the Singapore Exchange, and Netflix’s offer to buy Warner Bros. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it take to protect wealth in a world where markets can swing overnight and geopolitical tensions can upend investment strategies? And when the next generation inherits not just assets but responsibility, are they truly ready? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Sujano Supianto, High Net Worth Financial Services Director, SJ Group to explore how HNW and UHNW families are rethinking wealth for volatile times, shifting from a focus on growth alone to strategies that prioritize resilience, optionality, and downside protection. From portfolio adjustments to trusts, and even passing on values alongside capital, the rules are changing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From forced 7am runs with your boss to the quiet reality of friendship in Singapore, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh break it all down on What's Trending. We start in China, where “business running” is taking off in major cities. Office workers are now jogging with colleagues and even clients as a new way to bond, network and build trust. Supporters say it boosts productivity and cooperation. Critics say it blurs work-life boundaries. Then, we bring the conversation home. A new study finds that 1 in 10 Singaporeans does not have any close friendships. And increasingly, some are even turning to AI chatbots for casual conversation or emotional support. So what does all this say about how we connect today? Are work and personal boundaries eroding?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares dipped today as investors continue to monitor developments on the global trade front. The Straits Times Index was down 0.37% at 4,810.28 points at 2.24pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$923.01M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Frasers Logistics and Centrepoint Trust, after the manager of the trust said it will hold an annual general meeting on Jan 26, 2026, to respond to recent queries from unitholders. Elsewhere, from how a “Sell America” trade gripped markets on Wall Street overnight amid escalating trade tensions between the US and Europe over the issue of Greenland, to how Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang is reportedly planning to travel to China as he works to reopen the market for his company’s AI chips, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeremy Tan, CEO, Tiger Fund Management.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a season crying out for change, the Young Lions have doubled down on experience...again. Veterans Izwan Mahbud and Abdil Qaiyyim have been drafted in by Coach Firdaus Kassim, to guide a youthful squad on and off the pitch. And with nearly 200 league appearances under his belt, 'Abang Abdil' joins Sports Minutes to talk leadership, responsibility, and fixing a fragile back line. Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Workers’ Party has rejected Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s invitation to nominate another elected MP to the position of Leader of the Opposition (LO), adding that it takes the view that the leader of the largest opposition party in Parliament is the leader of the opposition. At the same time, a three-member disciplinary panel made up of senior Workers’ Party figures has been convened to review Pritam Singh’s conviction and removal as Leader of the Opposition. What powers does this panel have, what outcomes are on the table, and how might its decision reshape the party’s leadership and internal dynamics? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong goes beyond the headlines with Dr Felix Tan, Independent Political Observer, for more analysis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
He wants Greenland, and he’s not holding back. President Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on Europe, floating tariffs, questioning NATO’s resolve, and claiming the EU won’t push back. Denmark says no. Europe is pushing back, at least rhetorically. And inside the US, even Trump’s own team isn’t fully aligned. And in a twist that has shocked many, Trump has linked this aggressive push to last year’s Nobel Peace Prize snub, telling Norway’s prime minister he no longer feels “an obligation to think purely of peace.” So is this power politics, personal grievance, or a negotiating tactic in the Arctic? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law at the Australian National University, for more details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
rational analysis