Investing Updates : Chocolate Finance to process withdrawals in ‘orderly’ manner; all funds remain ‘protected’

Source:

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/chocolate-finance-to-process-withdrawals-in-orderly-manner-all-funds-remain-protected

Apple Intelligence:

• Withdrawal Processing: Chocolate Finance will process withdrawals within 3-6 business days, in line with normal redemption cycles.

• Customer Fund Security: Customer funds are secure and segregated, ensuring the safety of investments.

• Instant Withdrawal Suspension: Chocolate Finance suspended instant withdrawals on March 10 due to high demand, with a waiting period of 3-10 days for requests made during that period.

• Investment Strategy: Chocolate Finance invests in a variety of funds, including a money market fund, but is not itself a money market fund.

• Regulatory Compliance: Chocolate Finance complies with MAS regulations by segregating customer assets and using independent custodians.

• Withdrawal Concerns: MAS is monitoring Chocolate Finance to ensure orderly customer withdrawals.

Opinion:

It's a sad state of affairs for Chocolate Finance.

Personally, I'm still going to use them but only leaving it with sufficient amount to pay utilities, medical, etc.

In my opinion, what they are doing is innovative. But the PR & customer service damages are too deep. It will take a long time to recover.

Rewards Updates : Chocolate finance in trouble

Source:

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/omg-tried-to-withdraw-money-from-chocolate-finance-cannot-immediate-withdrawal-say-need-up-to-10-working-days-to-withdraw.7110785/

Chocolate finance seems to be in trouble.

Bad news for many including me who have few k inside 😅

Removing all referral recommendations for them now.

Try to spend or withdraw now if you can.

Don't panic too much 😅. Let's see how this goes.

Rewards Updates : Hot Deal: Get up to 4.5% Cashback on Overseas Spend + Welcome Cashback With Mari Credit Card!

Source:

https://sethisfy.com/hot-deal-get-up-to-4-5-cashback-on-overseas-spend-welcome-cashback-with-mari-credit-card/

Apple Intelligence:

• Overseas Spend Cashback: Up to 4.5% cashback on foreign currency transactions from 1st March to 30th June 2025.

• Eligibility Criteria: Cardholders can earn an additional 1.00% to 1.50% bonus cashback depending on the total eligible overseas spend per month.

• Competitive Advantage: Offers higher cashback compared to cards with 0 forex fees, making it a good choice for travelers seeking rewards.

• Cashback Rate: 1.7% cashback on local spend, 3% Shopee Coins on Shopee spend, and up to 4.5% cashback on foreign currency transactions.

• Welcome Bonus: S$30 bonus cashback for new cardholders who spend S$300 on eligible transactions within the first 30 days.

• Additional Benefits: Unlimited 3% Shopee Coins on Shopee spend and no foreign transaction fees.

Rewards Updates : 5 Ways to Earn More Max Miles | A Beginners Guide to HeyMax (+ AXS payment tutorial)

Rewards Updates : Big Nerf: Instarem Amaze to Charge 1% Fee on Local Transactions, Removes Cashback From 10th March 2025

Source:

https://sethisfy.com/big-nerf-instarem-amaze-to-charge-1-fee-on-local-transactions-removes-cashback-from-10th-march-2025/

Apple Intelligence:

• Transaction Fee Change: Starting March 10, 2025, Instarem Amaze will charge a 1% fee on all local transactions made with a linked card.

• Cashback Removal: Cashback will no longer be available as a redeemable option starting March 10, 2025.

• InstaPoints Conversion: Instarem will introduce the ability to convert InstaPoints to KrisFlyer miles.

• Transaction Fee Change: A minimum fee of S$0.50 per transaction will be implemented, impacting transactions under S$50.

• Impact on Citi Rewards: The new fee structure makes the Citi Rewards and amaze pairing less attractive due to the higher effective fee.

• KrisFlyer Miles Redemption: Instarem will offer a 1,200:400 ratio for converting InstaPoints to KrisFlyer miles, which is a poor value compared to the cashback option.

• InstaPoints Redemption Change: InstaPoints can be redeemed for SGD, with 1,200 InstaPoints for 400 KrisFlyer miles.

• Transaction Fee Change: 1% fee for local transactions above S$1,000, no fee for overseas transactions.

• Wallet Limit Increase: Amaze wallet limit increased to S$15,000 with a higher annual transaction limit of S$75,000.

• Transaction Fee Change: 1% MCC fee on e-wallet top-ups and transit payments removed, replaced by a 1% fee on all local transactions.

• Citi Rewards Usage Change: Instarem prioritizes wallet-linked transactions over card-linked ones, making Citi Rewards less useful for offline purchases.

• Impact on Citi Rewards Users: Using Citi Rewards for offline purchases under S$50 becomes unviable due to the minimum transaction fee, impacting users who relied on amaze for offline Citi Rewards usage.

LifeStyle Updates : 2025 Edition: Best Credit Cards for Education, Enrichment and Childcare

Source:

https://milelion.com/2025/02/22/best-credit-card-education-enrichment-childcare/

Grok 3:

Here’s a summary of the article on earning rewards for education-related expenses, along with insights into available options and workarounds as of February 22, 2025:

Summary

Education expenses—such as childcare, enrichment classes, school fees, tuition, and university costs—are a significant financial burden. However, most banks have progressively excluded these transactions from earning credit card rewards, with major issuers like DBS, Citibank, UOB, Standard Chartered, HSBC, and American Express adding education to their exclusion lists between 2017 and 2023. This reluctance stems from education transactions typically coding under Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) like 8211, 8220, 8241, 8244, 8249, and 8299, which have lower processing fees and thus lower profitability for banks.

Despite this, a few credit and debit cards still offer rewards on education spending, primarily from Maybank, select UOB cards, and certain American Express options. Additionally, "education-adjacent" expenses (e.g., childcare, music, or sports enrichment) often fall under different MCCs, making them eligible for rewards with the right cards. Workarounds like bill payment services (e.g., CardUp) and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platforms (e.g., Atome) also provide ways to earn miles by altering the MCC or enabling rewards where direct payments don’t.

Credit Cards That Earn Rewards on Education

The following cards still award miles or points for education transactions (MCCs 8211–8299):

• Maybank Visa Infinite: 1.2 miles per dollar (mpd) locally, 3.2 mpd foreign currency (FCY).


• Chocolate Visa Platinum Debit Card: 2 mpd on all spend (including education), capped at S$1,000/month, then0.4 mpd; no FCY fees.


• UOB Reserve Card: 1.6 mpd locally, 2.4 mpd FCY (invitation-only).


• UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card: 1.4 mpd locally, 2.4 mpd FCY (S$120,000 income requirement).

Opinion:

It's very hard to earn rewards on tuition fees indeed.

Personally, my kid attends chinese lessons from a tuition center that accepts only NETs payment 😅.

Businesses simply don't find it worthwhile to allow such rewards.

Rewards Updates: luckin coffee Singapore Has 1-for-1 Coffee Promotion Until 20 Feb 2025

Source:

https://singpromos.com/dining-restaurants-food/luckin-coffee-singapore-has-1-for-1-coffee-promotion-until-20-feb-2025-287471/

Apple Intelligence:

• Promotion Period: February 17-20.

• Promotion Details: Buy one get one free for eligible drinks.

• Redemption Method: Order through the Luckin Coffee app and select a free drink from the eligible categories.

Rewards Updates : YouTrip now lets you lock in Thai Baht, with Malaysian Ringgit wallet “coming soon”

Source:

https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-youtrip-lock-in-currency-thai-baht-malaysian-ringgit-travel-wallet-digital-payment

Apple Intelligence:

• New Currency Support: YouTrip now supports storing Thai Baht (THB) in addition to 11 other currencies.

• Currency Exchange Rate: Users can “lock in” THB during favorable exchange rates to save money.

• Future Currency Addition: YouTrip plans to add a Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) wallet, bringing the total to 12 multi-currency wallets.

• Supported Currencies: 12 currencies (including THB and upcoming MYR) allow for locking in exchange rates.

• Travel Wednesdays: YouTrip is bringing back Travel Wednesdays in 2025 with upsized travel deals every Wednesday until April 2, 2025.

• Travel Perks: Users can access perks like cashback and vouchers on platforms like Trip.com, Klook, Agoda, Booking.com, and Expedia through the YouTrip app.

Opinion:

This is a good development.

I think there needs to be app or feature that alerts you when it's time to exchange? 😅 

Multi-currency e-wallets need to innovate further since they do not gain any interest unlike in banks.

LifeStyle Updates : Citi Rewards Credit Card + Amaze Combo

Image Source:

https://milelion.com/2024/01/25/the-blip-amaze-x-citi-rewards-bonus-points-now-posting/

DeepSeek:

The Citi Rewards + Amaze combo is a popular strategy among credit card users in Singapore to maximize rewards and cashback on their spending. This combination leverages the strengths of two products: the Citi Rewards Credit Card and the Amaze Card. Here's a detailed breakdown of how this combo works and why it's beneficial:

---

1. Citi Rewards Credit Card

The Citi Rewards Credit Card is known for its focus on earning rewards points, particularly for online and contactless spending. Key features include:

- 10X Rewards Points: Earn 10 Citi Miles per SGD 1 spent on online shopping, contactless payments, and selected categories.

- 4 Miles per SGD 1: When converted, 10X rewards points typically translate to 4 miles per SGD 1 spent.

- Cap on Rewards: The 10X rewards are capped at SGD 1,000 per statement month (i.e., you can earn up to 10,000 bonus points per month).

---

2. Amaze Card

The Amaze Card is a multi-currency payment card issued by ICBC Singapore in partnership with Mastercard. It acts as a "bridge" between your credit card and the merchant, allowing you to earn rewards even on spending categories that might not typically qualify for rewards. Key features include:

- Converts Transactions to Online Payments: When you link your Citi Rewards Card to Amaze, all transactions made through Amaze are treated as online transactions. This means you can earn 10X rewards points on spending categories that would otherwise not qualify (e.g., groceries, dining, etc.).

- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Amaze offers competitive currency exchange rates and no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for overseas spending.

- Seamless Integration: You can link multiple credit cards to Amaze and switch between them as needed.

---

How the Combo Works

By combining the Citi Rewards Card with the Amaze Card, you can unlock the following benefits:

1. Earn 10X Rewards Points on All Spending:

   - Since Amaze converts all transactions into online payments, you can earn 10X rewards points on almost any purchase, even at physical stores or non-qualifying categories.

   - For example, if you spend SGD 100 on groceries using Amaze linked to your Citi Rewards Card, you'll earn 1,000 Citi Miles (10X rewards).

2. Maximize Rewards Cap:

   - The Citi Rewards Card has a monthly cap of SGD 1,000 for 10X rewards. By using Amaze, you can maximize this cap by earning rewards on a wider range of spending categories.

3. Overseas Spending:

   - When traveling or making overseas purchases, Amaze eliminates foreign transaction fees and ensures you earn 10X rewards points on all spending.

4. Flexibility:

   - You can link multiple credit cards to Amaze and choose which card to use for specific transactions, giving you greater control over your rewards strategy.

---

Example Scenario

- You spend SGD 500 on groceries and SGD 500 on dining in a month.

- Without Amaze: You might earn minimal or no rewards on these categories.

- With Amaze: All SGD 1,000 is treated as online spending, earning you 10,000 Citi Miles (10X rewards).

---

Key Considerations

- Amaze Fees: The Amaze Card itself is free, but you need to ensure you're using it strategically to justify the effort.

- Citi Rewards Cap: Be mindful of the SGD 1,000 monthly cap on 10X rewards. Plan your spending to maximize this limit.

- Exclusions: Some transactions (e.g., insurance, utilities, etc.) may still not qualify for rewards, even with Amaze.

---

Conclusion

The Citi Rewards + Amaze combo is a powerful way to maximize rewards and cashback on your spending. By converting all transactions into online payments, Amaze allows you to earn 10X rewards points on almost any purchase, making it an excellent tool for savvy credit card users. If you frequently spend on categories like groceries, dining, or overseas purchases, this combo can significantly boost your rewards earnings.

Opinion:

This is still the best card rewards combo for 2025 imo.

Recently, Chocolate Finance debit card is interesting too for education, medical, insurance payments, IRAS, etc.

So my strategy as of now:

1. Citibank rewards + amaze 

2. Posb everyday for sheng siong, geneco

3. SCB smart card for public transport (Till 31st Mar). Might change to Chocolate.

4. Platform specific if available e.g. Maribank credit card for promotional discounts/points.

5. Chocolate finance for education, medical, insurance, IRAS.

Rewards Updates: MariBank Savings Account: Interest rate cut to 2.5% p.a. from Jan 2025

URL: https://growbeansprout.com/maribank-savings-account-review

Gemini Summarized: 

This article summarizes the recent interest rate cut for the MariBank Savings Account from 2.70% to 2.50% per annum, effective January 1, 2025.

Key takeaways:

• MariBank: A digital bank offering savings accounts, business accounts, and loans.

• Interest Rate: 2.50% p.a. for up to S$100,000 of deposits. No minimum deposit, salary credit, or spending requirements.

• Benefits:
• Competitive interest rate for a basic savings account.
• Convenient for PayNow transactions.
• Increased deposit limit aligns with higher deposit insurance coverage.

• Mari Invest: Offers higher potential returns through investment products like the Lion-MariBank SavePlus fund, but with associated risks and management fees.

• Limitations:
  • Limited product offerings (no physical branches, ATMs, or debit cards).
  • Lower interest rate compared to some competitors like GXS Bank.

Recommendations:

• Compare MariBank with other savings accounts, especially those offering higher interest rates, to find the best option for your needs.
• Consider Mari Invest for potentially higher returns, but carefully evaluate the risks and fees.

Investing Updates: Trust Bank to launch TrustInvest in 2025

URL: https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/banking-finance/trust-bank-launch-trustinvest-2025

Trust Bank will launch its first investment service, TrustInvest, in 2025, offering customers a range of low-risk investment solutions, including fixed-income funds with better returns than savings accounts. Currently in pilot testing, the service allows investments starting at $1 with daily liquidity. Existing customers can join a waitlist. The announcement follows GXS Bank’s plans for a similar investment product suite. Further details are yet to be disclosed.

LifeStyle Updates : SCB Smart Card Changes

URL: https://milelion.com/2024/11/07/junk-card-stanchart-smart-card-introduces-minimum-spend-and-annual-fee/

The Standard Chartered Smart Card in Singapore has introduced new conditions: a minimum monthly spend of S$500 starting January 2024 to earn cashback, and an annual fee of S$199 that is waived only for the first year. These changes affect cardholders who previously enjoyed fee-free cashback benefits, sparking frustration among users who now see the card as less attractive.

LifeStyle Updates : NS Credits Cash Out

URL: https://sethisfy.com/best-ways-to-cash-out-your-ns-credits-2024-edition/

To cash out NS LifeSG credits, here are some options:

1. YouTrip: Transfer NS credits via PayNow QR code for an instant cashout, with a S$5 bonus for new users.

2. AXS: Pay bills (e.g., taxes, insurance) using credits, a convenient option.

3. ShopeePay: Top-up and withdraw to your bank (up to 3-day processing).

4. Sheng Siong ATM: Withdraw cash with a S$0.20 fee, limited to multiples of S$10.

Each method has different processing times and fees.

LifeStyle Updates : Hunt The Mouse

URL: https://mothership.sg/2024/10/hunt-the-mouse-gold-coin-hidden/

#HuntTheMouse is an annual treasure hunt in Singapore, organized by the gamification company Sqkii.

Participants search for hidden coins across the island, each redeemable for cash prizes.

The 2024 edition, running from October 10 to November 9, offers a total prize pool of S$1 million, including a grand prize of S$500,000 for finding a single gold coin.

To participate, players can access the game via the official website or mobile app.

Hints about coin locations are released daily on Sqkii's social media channels and the game platform.

The game is free and open to both residents and tourists in Singapore.

This year's event features 300 silver coins, each worth S$500 or S$2,500, in addition to the gold coin.

New power-up features, such as the Coin Sonar, have been introduced to assist hunters in locating the coins.

Referral Updates : Trust Bank Referral Code - YTKNCJWS

"I'm just 2 stamps short to receive a free AirPods Pro 😆. Creating a blog post using ChatGPT to increase awareness of my Trust Bank referral code : YTKNCJWS"

Why Trust Bank is Your Best Choice Among Digital Banks – Use Referral Code YTKNCJWS for Exclusive Perks!

Are you deciding between digital banks? With so many options, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. But Trust Bank stands out from the crowd, especially when you compare it to alternatives like MariBank and GXS Bank. And here’s the best part: if you sign up using my referral code YTKNCJWS, you’ll unlock exclusive perks that set your banking journey off on the right foot!

Trust Bank vs. MariBank and GXS Bank – The Winning Differences

1. Competitive Rewards and Bonuses

   - Trust Bank: With YTKNCJWS, you receive an exclusive welcome bonus and a higher rewards rate on your initial transactions, making it easy to start earning right away. Trust Bank’s loyalty program allows you to earn points on every transaction, redeemable for cash back, gift cards, or additional perks.

   - MariBank: While MariBank offers a good welcome bonus, it tends to have more specific requirements for higher-tier rewards, limiting flexibility.

   - GXS Bank: GXS Bank provides a solid loyalty program, but it often emphasizes limited-time promotions that may not always be available.

2. Fee Structure

   - Trust Bank: Known for its low to no fees, Trust Bank minimizes your banking costs, so you can keep more of your money.

   - MariBank: While fees are generally low, MariBank does have specific charges for select services that can add up if you’re not careful.

   - GXS Bank: GXS Bank’s fees are low for the most part, but it has a few extra charges on international transfers and certain payment options.

3. User-Friendly Digital Platform

   - Trust Bank: Trust Bank’s app offers an intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface that allows users to manage all their banking in one place. Plus, setting up an account with code YTKNCJWS is quick and secure.

   - MariBank: The app design is solid but has received feedback on occasional glitches during high-traffic times, which can disrupt smooth account management.

   - GXS Bank: GXS Bank’s app has a modern feel, but it can be a bit more complex for first-time users, especially those unfamiliar with digital banking platforms.

4. Flexible Spending & Saving Options

   - Trust Bank: Trust Bank provides flexible options that let you save, spend, and manage funds with ease. Its rewards are adaptable, allowing you to optimize points and cash back on what you value most.

   - MariBank: While MariBank has good savings features, it leans more toward set categories, which might not cater to every user’s spending style.

   - GXS Bank: GXS Bank offers flexibility, but their focus on limited-time promotions can make consistency in benefits less predictable.

Why You Should Sign Up with Trust Bank Today

Trust Bank prioritizes what matters most – seamless banking, low fees, and rewarding loyalty. With code YTKNCJWS, you’ll enjoy a unique welcome bonus and other perks designed to make your life easier and more rewarding. 

Get the Best of Banking in Your Hands – Use YTKNCJWS and Start Earning Today!

LifeStyle Updates : Ways to Earn Free Money in SG

URL: https://dollarsandsense.sg/ways-to-earn-free-money-in-singapore/

Here's a brief summary of the article:

• Credit Cards: Apply for credit cards that match your spending habits to take advantage of special promotions and deals.

• Cashback Cards: Use cashback credit cards for everyday purchases to earn a percentage of your spend back.

• High-Interest Savings Accounts: Optimize your savings by using high-interest rate accounts offered by banks.

• No-Frills Savings Accounts: Maintain a no-frills savings account for specific savings goals while earning some interest.

• Referral Programs: Refer friends to products and services you use, such as cashback apps and mobile wallet apps, to earn rewards.

"Article's accurate but it's missing something. Everyone should daily log in to their favourite shopping apps and perform basic actions or games to earn reward points. Diminishing returns principle apply here, not all actions will merit your time. Have to use do some testing and judgement on your efforts."

LifeStyle Updates : Trust Card over YouTrip in overseas

Investing Updates : Hamster Kombat Roadmap

URL: https://decrypt.co/251191/whats-next-hamster-kombat-after-airdrop-expanding-beyond-telegram

OpenAI

Here are five detailed points from the Decrypt article on the future of Hamster Kombat after its airdrop:

1. Game Concept and Popularity: Hamster Kombat is a tap-to-earn game on Telegram where players earn in-game coins by tapping. The game has gained significant popularity, amassing over 300 million players since its launch.

2. Airdrop on The Open Network (TON): The game recently launched an airdrop of its token on The Open Network (TON). Players can claim these tokens based on the coins they’ve earned in the game. This airdrop has driven a surge in player activity.

3. Expansion Beyond Telegram: Following the airdrop, the developers plan to expand the game beyond Telegram. This includes potential integration with other platforms and additional features to keep the game engaging and attract a broader audience.

4. Comparison to Notcoin: Hamster Kombat’s core concept is similar to Notcoin, another popular tap-to-earn game. However, Hamster Kombat offers richer game mechanics, such as simulating the role of a CEO of a crypto exchange, which adds depth to the gameplay.

5. Future Prospects and Player Engagement: The game’s future looks promising with plans for continuous updates and expansions. The developers aim to maintain high player engagement by introducing new features and possibly more airdrops, ensuring the game remains attractive to both existing and new players.

My Thoughts

• It's certainly unpredictable for Hamster Kombat from here onwards.

• Will still invest some of my time since it's quite fun.

• My referral https://t.me/hamster_Kombat_bot/start?startapp=kentId772562921

Investing Updates : Rocky Rabbit Airdrop

URL : https://rockyrabbit.io/

OpenAI

The recent Rocky Rabbit airdrop has generated a lot of buzz, especially due to its integration with a popular Telegram-based game on the TON blockchain. This tap-to-earn game allows users to earn in-game currency and cryptocurrency rewards by engaging in duels, upgrading virtual rabbits, and completing daily tasks. 

Feedback around the airdrop, which took place on September 23, 2024, has been mostly positive, especially due to the game’s significant growth, attracting over 25 million players in just a few months. Players have also been keen on the RabBitcoin (RBTC) token, which is expected to be listed on major exchanges like Binance and KuCoin, creating more opportunities for users to capitalize on their in-game efforts.

However, while the pre-market performance of the token has shown some volatility, with prices initially fluctuating between $0.001 to $0.005, its listing could provide further insight into its long-term value. The game’s high engagement rates and innovative referral system have contributed to its popularity, which could support its future in the crypto space.

Overall, the game's unique mix of gaming and crypto could ensure a promising future for RBTC, though success will heavily depend on continued user engagement and the reception of the token once fully listed.

My Thoughts

• Another popular crypto airdrop has landed. Got 600,000 tokens as shown.

• Had to pay 0.5 TON transaction fees. Internet criticised Rocky Rabbit for their "promise" of repaying this fee which didn't happen for many, including me. 

• I still feel good for this game. All these animals ; Hamster, Rabbit, related games etc are cute 😂. I think you have to manage your expectations with this genre. Enjoy the game, humor and treat profits as a plus.

Investing Updates : Hamster Kombat Airdrop

URL : https://hamsterkombatgame.io/

OpenAI

The Hamster Kombat airdrop, which took place in late September 2024, has garnered significant attention but received mixed feedback. While the airdrop was labeled as one of the largest in crypto history, only 43% of the users qualified, leading to some dissatisfaction. Over 131 million users were eligible, but 2.3 million accounts were banned due to cheating, contributing to the reduced eligibility.

Despite this, the overall reception from the community remains optimistic, particularly as Hamster Kombat continues to grow, boasting over 300 million users globally. The airdrop was seen as a reward for early supporters, with over 60 billion tokens distributed initially, and 15% of the total token supply set aside for future seasons. Analysts predict that the token could reach up to $0.05 by the end of 2024, driven by increasing adoption and upcoming exchange listings on major platforms like Binance and Bybit.

Looking ahead, Hamster Kombat aims to introduce new features, such as additional battle arenas, NFTs, and community-driven events, to maintain player engagement and expand its ecosystem. This continued development is expected to bolster the future of the game, especially as it integrates further into the Web3 space.

My Thoughts

• Rejected by Catizen airdrop 😂. Accepted by Hamster Kombat 😀.

• For 60 days of effort, I didn't win much tokens. To be fair, I didn't participate actively. Only doing in the morning, train rides, kids sleeping.

• I'm beginning to enjoy it the more I play. Will instil discipline to push harder in other promising apps as referenced in my referral page.