Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Healthcare in Singapore is getting more expensive, and fast. The latest WTW Global Medical Trends Report predicts medical costs could jump 16.9% in 2026, up from 15.5% last year and just over 12% in 2024, putting Singapore at the top of the Asia-Pacific chart. At the same time, new insurance rules coming into effect this April mean patients may have to pay more out of pocket before coverage kicks in, even as premiums for some plans dip. What’s behind these rising costs? Is healthcare becoming less affordable for everyday Singaporeans?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Akshar Saxena, Assistant Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly half of Bitcoin’s supply is now underwater, long-term holders are selling at multi-year losses, and market stress indicators are flashing red. Yet prices remain relatively stable, creating a growing disconnect between sentiment and price action. With investors increasingly hedging for downside risk and some calling for a move back to US$50,000, the question is whether this is a warning sign of deeper weakness or a setup for the next rally. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Zann Kwan, Managing Partner & CIO, Revo Digital Family Office, on whether this divergence between price and positioning can hold, how investors are managing downside risk, and what would trigger a deeper sell-off from here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into the rising trend of pet luxury, as a woman in Shanghai spends around S$2,200 a month to send her dog to “kindergarten” with complete with training, social activities and even a school bus.Then, they unpack a bizarre heist in Europe involving over 413,000 stolen KitKat bars, exploring how such a massive shipment could vanish and what happens when crime turns into a logistical challenge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global sentiment saw some improvement as US futures turned positive, following reassuring comments from Donald Trump and Jerome Powell. Volatility remains a key theme, with the CBOE Volatility Index climbing above 30 and rising sharply this month. The move signals elevated fear and rapid risk repricing, raising questions on whether this spike is temporary or the start of more sustained market stress. On oil, talk of prices potentially reaching $200, while not a base case, highlights the risks ahead. Such a scenario would likely push inflation higher, pressure growth, and add further volatility across global markets. On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks to David Chow of Azure Capital to break down the latest market movements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is pushing a controversial idea which is taking control of Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s most critical oil export hub, as tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate. In the midst of this, Pakistan has stepped forward, offering to host “meaningful talks” between Washington and Tehran, a diplomatic opening that comes even as the threat of further escalation looms. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Associate Professor Jessica Genauer, Academic Director of the Public Policy Institute at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), on why Kharg Island is central to Iran’s oil exports, whether the US could realistically seize and hold it, and how such a move could impact Iran’s war effort and global oil prices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.