LifeStyle Updates: Public can use ez-link card to get 10-cent refund when recycling drink bottles, cans from April

Source:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/public-can-use-ez-link-card-to-get-10-cent-refund-when-recycling-drink-bottles-cans-from-april

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Singapore will roll out the Beverage Container Return Scheme on April 1, allowing the public to receive a 10-cent refund for each empty drink bottle or can returned for recycling. Refunds can be credited via ez-link cards, including student and senior concession cards, which will be the main payment method at the start. Other digital payment options will be announced later for those who do not use ez-link.

About 1,000 return points, mainly reverse vending machines, will be deployed islandwide when the scheme begins. This number will double to 2,000 within a year. Machines will be located in high-traffic areas such as supermarkets, HDB void decks and town centres, ensuring that 90 per cent of residents living in HDB estates are within a five-minute walk of a return point. The machines accept bottled and canned drinks ranging from 150ml to three litres and will automatically process containers and issue refunds.

Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary acknowledged that the scheme will require habit changes and may initially inconvenience some residents. To support public understanding, the scheme’s operator, Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) Ltd, will release guides and videos in March, and each machine will display instructions in all four official languages. Outreach efforts will also involve grassroots groups, schools and businesses.

The scheme is funded by annual fees paid by beverage producers. Smaller producers have raised concerns over compliance costs, including registration fees, deposit requirements and labelling changes, which may lead to price increases. To ease the transition, the National Environment Agency is offering a one-time grant of up to $2,500 and a six-month adjustment period.

Despite expected teething issues, the scheme is projected to cover over one billion drink containers annually and recover more than 16,000 tonnes of recyclable material, helping embed recycling into everyday life in Singapore.

Comments:

I will be using my kids' concession cards for rewards.

I think most adults do not use ez-link card anymore?

Sports Updates: 4 months’ jail for Sim Lim Square seller of illicit streaming devices showing EPL games

Source:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/4-months-jail-for-sim-lim-square-seller-of-illicit-streaming-devices-showing-epl-games

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A Sim Lim Square retailer was sentenced to four months’ jail for selling illicit streaming devices that provided unauthorised access to copyrighted content, including English Premier League (EPL) matches and movies. Lin Da, 35, was the sole director and shareholder of Simder Trading and Business, which operated the shop MengXin Tech. His company was also convicted and fined $40,000.

Lin pleaded guilty to four charges under the Copyright Act on Jan 27, 2026, with seven additional charges taken into consideration. According to the prosecution, Lin had been importing illicit streaming devices from China and Hong Kong since 2018. After customers purchased the devices, Lin or his employees would install software applications that granted access to pirated live TV channels and video-on-demand content, giving users entry to a constantly updated library of copyrighted works owned by multiple rights holders.

Simder earned between $49 and $60 per device sold, generating an estimated monthly profit of $4,000 to $5,000. In 2020, the Football Association Premier League (FAPL) sent Simder a cease-and-desist letter warning that the devices illegally distributed EPL matches. Despite receiving and understanding the letter, Lin continued selling the devices.

Authorities raided several Sim Lim Square shops on Oct 4, 2022, seizing 301 illicit devices from Lin’s shop and arresting him and an employee. Of these, 16 working devices were found to facilitate access to content from rights holders such as FAPL, Warner Bros, Disney and Discovery, including EPL matches and popular films. The remaining devices were faulty and intended for repair or return. No compensation was made to copyright owners.

This case marks the fourth conviction involving Sim Lim Square sellers since the 2022 enforcement operation, which led to 17 arrests and the seizure of over 2,500 illegal devices worth about $500,000. Rights holders, including the Premier League and the Motion Picture Association, welcomed the sentence, highlighting piracy’s legal, economic and security risks.

Technology Updates: Stop buying 1TB SSDs: They are a rip-off in 2026

Source:

https://www.howtogeek.com/please-stop-buying-small-ssds/

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The article argues that in 2026, buying 1TB SSDs no longer makes financial sense due to volatile and sharply rising prices across the SSD market. Ongoing NAND flash shortages—driven by AI workloads and data center demand—have pushed storage prices much higher, following the earlier surge in RAM costs. As a result, the traditional “sweet spot” for SSD value has disappeared.

Previously, 2TB SSDs offered better value than 1TB drives, but even that advantage has eroded. Price comparisons show dramatic increases: budget 1TB SSDs that cost under $70 in late 2025 now exceed $100, while premium models like Samsung’s 990 Pro have more than doubled in price. Despite costing less upfront, smaller drives now deliver poor cost-per-terabyte value and fill up quickly, making them inefficient for modern usage.

Although 2TB drives remain slightly better than 1TB, they are increasingly expensive and inconsistent in pricing. The author argues that the new value sweet spot has shifted to 4TB SSDs. While they require a much higher upfront spend—typically $350 to $600—they offer significantly better cost per terabyte. Examples from Silicon Power, Crucial, Samsung, and Verbatim show that 4TB models often cost only marginally more per TB than smaller drives, and sometimes substantially less.

Beyond pricing, larger SSDs offer practical advantages: they’re less likely to be filled to capacity (which helps maintain performance), and they typically have higher endurance ratings (TBW), improving longevity. A 4TB SSD can serve as a long-term, future-proof solution for games, work files, applications, and operating systems, potentially eliminating the need for repeated upgrades.

Ultimately, while 4TB SSDs aren’t necessary for everyone, the article concludes that—paradoxically—spending more upfront may now be the most economical choice in today’s distorted SSD market.

Investing Updates: What to Expect in the Week Ahead (FOMC Rate Decision, Earnings from TSLA, META, MSFT, and AAPL)

Source:

https://www.moomoo.com/news/post/64513754/what-to-expect-in-the-week-ahead-fomc-rate-decision?futusource=news_hotnews_list&client_hour_clock=24&main_broker=WwoJMTAwOApdCg==&my_cid=103096561&sg_cid=103096561&skintype=3&us_cid=103096561&level=2&global_content=%7B%22promote_content%22:%22mm:post:64513754%22,%22invite%22:103096561%7D&data_ticket=1768783511139881&utm_medium=futu_niuniu_share&utm_content=web_share&utm_campaign=news&utm_term=64513754

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The coming week shapes up as a critical “policy plus profits” test for markets, with the Federal Reserve’s rate decision and heavyweight tech earnings likely to drive volatility. While no rate change is expected, Wednesday’s FOMC meeting will be closely watched for Chair Jerome Powell’s tone—specifically whether the Fed leans toward “higher for longer” or keeps the door open to future cuts. The balance between inflation progress and signs of growth or labour softening will guide market expectations.

On the earnings front, mega-cap technology takes centre stage. Tesla, Microsoft and Meta report on Wednesday, followed by Apple on Thursday. Together, their guidance on AI capital expenditure, cloud demand, advertising trends and consumer resilience could have index-level implications. Strong confirmation of sustained AI investment and disciplined spending would support risk sentiment, while cautious outlooks could pressure valuations.

Early-week data includes US Durable Goods Orders on Monday, offering insight into business investment and manufacturing momentum, and Conference Board Consumer Confidence on Tuesday, a key indicator linking sentiment to retail demand and services inflation. Boeing’s earnings on Tuesday will also act as a bellwether for industrial recovery and supply-chain normalization.

Wednesday’s earnings spotlight includes Microsoft, where investors will focus on AI monetisation and cloud growth quality; Meta, with attention on ad demand versus AI-driven margin pressure; and Tesla, where guidance on autonomy, Robotaxi ambitions and margin stability may outweigh quarterly delivery details.

On Thursday, Initial Jobless Claims will provide a timely read on labour market conditions, followed by Apple’s earnings, with focus on iPhone demand, Services growth, cost pressures and AI strategy. Friday closes with SoFi’s results, which could influence sentiment across fintech and consumer lending stocks.

Overall, markets will weigh whether resilient earnings and flexible Fed messaging can offset macro uncertainty—or whether caution from either side triggers renewed volatility.

Travel Updates: 5 New Malls Opening In JB That’ll Be Easier To Visit Once The RTS Link Launches In 2026

Source:

https://thesmartlocal.com/read/new-jb-malls/

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With the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link set to launch by the end of 2026, shopping trips across the Causeway are expected to become faster and more convenient. Anticipating increased cross-border traffic, several new shopping malls are being developed across Johor Bahru, particularly in growth areas such as Iskandar Puteri, Bukit Senyum and the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Among the earliest openings is Horizon Mall, a 150,000 sq ft open-air mall in Horizon Hills, Iskandar Puteri. Located near the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club and just a 10-minute drive from LEGOLAND Malaysia, it will feature dining and lifestyle options such as Padi House and popular tea brands, and is expected to open in May 2026.

Closer to the JB checkpoint, SKS City Mall JBCC will sit beneath the Sheraton Johor Bahru hotel, only a four-minute drive from immigration. Spanning about 280,000 sq ft over 4.5 floors, it will house retail shops and family attractions like Jungle Gym, with an anticipated opening by the end of 2026.

Further ahead, Coronation Square Mall along Jalan Gereja will be directly linked to the Bukit Chagar RTS station via covered walkways. Part of a RM5 billion mixed-use development, it is slated for completion in 2029. OBS Mall, a luxury retail component of the One Bukit Senyum project, will follow by 2030, alongside residences and a five-star hotel.

Finally, the Bukit Chagar Integrated Development, opening progressively towards 2033, will welcome RTS commuters with a mall, transport links and large car parks. Together, these developments reinforce JB’s growing appeal as a post-RTS shopping destination for Singaporeans.

Investing Updates: Bitcoin doesn’t have 20 years because the quantum threat is already here

Source:

https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-20-quantum-threat

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The opinion piece argues that Bitcoin does not have decades to prepare for quantum computing threats, contrary to claims by some advocates who suggest a 20–40 year safety window. The author contends that the quantum threat is already material and accelerating, driven by rapid advances in hardware, governance constraints, and market exposure.

Recent developments underscore the urgency. IBM has announced major breakthroughs in quantum chip design and error correction, aiming for quantum advantage as early as 2026 and early fault-tolerant systems by 2029. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has similarly warned that elliptic-curve cryptography could be broken sooner than expected, possibly before 2028, and has urged a near-term shift to quantum-resistant cryptography. These views challenge the assumption that Bitcoin can afford to wait.

The risk is not theoretical. Deloitte estimates that around 4 million BTC—roughly 25% of usable supply—reside in addresses with exposed public keys vulnerable to quantum attacks. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could use Shor’s algorithm to derive private keys, allowing attackers to drain long-dormant wallets instantly. This vulnerability affects most blockchains, including Ethereum, but Bitcoin’s slow upgrade culture amplifies the danger.

The argument that Bitcoin can “upgrade later” is also criticized as unrealistic. Researchers suggest migrating Bitcoin to post-quantum cryptography could require prolonged downtime or reduced network capacity, an unacceptable risk for a trillion-dollar asset. Governance resistance, ideological divisions and the risk of chain splits further complicate any forced transition.

Meanwhile, governments are already acting. The EU has set a coordinated roadmap requiring post-quantum migration to begin by 2026 and largely complete by 2035. A delayed or chaotic crypto transition could trigger severe market disruption, from mass coin movements to mining centralization. The author concludes that proactive preparation is far less costly than waiting for a quantum-driven crisis.

Investing Updates: Singapore stocks track global rally; STI up 1.3% after hitting new high

Source:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/singapore-stocks-track-global-rally-sti-1-3-after-hitting-new-high

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Singapore stocks closed firmly higher on Friday (Jan 23), tracking a broad global rally and pushing the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) to a fresh all-time high. The STI touched an intraday record of 4,895.15 before ending the session up 1.3 per cent, or 63.13 points, at 4,891.45. The iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index also advanced, rising 0.3 per cent to 1,487.74.

Market breadth was positive, with gainers outnumbering losers by 345 to 213 across the broader market. Trading activity was robust, with around 1.3 billion securities changing hands for a total value of approximately S$2 billion.

The rally was led by Singapore’s banking heavyweights, which reached new highs. UOB emerged as the top performer on the STI, surging 5 per cent, or S$1.88, to close at S$39.50. OCBC also delivered strong gains, climbing 3.4 per cent, or S$0.70, to end at S$21.29. DBS added to the positive momentum, rising nearly 1 per cent to finish at S$58.65. In contrast, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding was the weakest blue-chip stock, slipping 1.2 per cent to close at S$3.34.

Regional equity markets also posted gains, reinforcing the upbeat sentiment. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.4 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.3 per cent, South Korea’s Kospi Composite advanced 0.8 per cent, and Malaysia’s FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI increased 0.2 per cent.

Commenting on market conditions, Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, noted that investors are increasingly filtering out political noise from Washington. He said markets are warming to an environment of modest synchronised growth, contained inflation and a more accommodative US Federal Reserve, even as concerns around fiscal discipline and central bank independence remain in focus.

Investing Updates: Trust Bank launches retail trading platform for US stocks and ETFs, offering in-app fractional investing

Source:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/trust-bank-launches-retail-trading-platform-us-stocks-and-etfs-offering-app-fractional-investing

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Trust Bank has launched its in-app retail trading platform, TrustInvest, marking its entry into Singapore’s highly competitive retail investment market. Developed in partnership with Saxo Singapore, the platform allows customers to trade more than 7,000 US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The service was first announced in October 2025 and began admitting users from a waitlist in November.

Since then, about 10,000 customers have opened trading accounts. According to the bank, adoption has been broad-based rather than concentrated in a specific demographic, with both new and experienced investors using the platform. Notably, 45 per cent of customers who have traded so far have made use of fractional investing.

Fractional trading, which Trust Bank says is a first for a banking app in Singapore, allows investors to buy portions of a single share with a minimum investment of US$10. This lowers the barrier to entry for high-priced US stocks such as Tesla or Meta, which trade at several hundred US dollars per share.

Trust Bank said it will not charge platform, custody or settlement fees. Commission fees for all trades are waived until Jun 30, 2026. After that, trades will be charged a commission of 0.05 per cent, subject to a minimum fee of US$2.99 per trade.

Chief executive officer Dwaipayan Sadhu said the zero-fee approach is intended to help the bank build a more holistic banking relationship, with investing complementing its existing savings and lending products. Trust Bank believes its value proposition lies in combining the regulatory trust and security of a bank with the low fees and user-friendly experience typically associated with fintech platforms.

The platform currently focuses on US markets, reflecting strong local investor interest in US assets. Trust Bank plans to expand its offerings to include Singapore equities in future, although no timeline has been provided.

Investing Updates: About half of Singapore fund managers expect STI to rise 5-10% in 2026, potentially hitting fresh records

Source:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/about-half-singapore-fund-managers-expect-sti-rise-5-10-2026-potentially-hitting-fresh-records

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About half of Singapore-based fund managers remain optimistic on local equities in 2026, with 52 per cent of respondents in an Investment Management Association of Singapore (Imas) survey expecting the Straits Times Index (STI) to rise by 5 to 10 per cent by year-end. Based on the STI’s level of around 4,500 when the survey was conducted, this implies a potential climb to between 4,800 and 5,020, which could see the benchmark reach fresh record highs. Nearly 90 per cent of respondents expect the STI to either strengthen or remain stable in 2026.
The positive outlook is supported by resilient bank earnings, attractive dividend yields and government initiatives aimed at revitalising Singapore’s equity market. The STI had already delivered strong gains of 22.7 per cent in 2025 and touched an all-time high earlier in January 2026.

Singapore’s prospects are part of a broader bullish stance on Asian equities. In the survey, Japan and China were rated the top potential outperformers for 2026, while Singapore ranked joint third with Taiwan. Regionally, 72 per cent of fund managers expect the MSCI Asia ex-Japan Index to rise by 10 to 20 per cent.
The Imas survey, now in its 11th year, gathered views from C-suite professionals across 63 member firms overseeing more than US$35 trillion in global assets. Respondents identified three major forces shaping the industry over the next year: increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), the continued rise of alternative investments, and growing regulatory and operational costs.
AI emerged as a newly prominent theme, with more than half of managers already using it in core investment functions such as research and fund commentary. At the same time, regulatory scrutiny and compliance costs are rising, while margin pressure from passive investment strategies remains a key concern. On the macro front, most respondents expect monetary easing in 2026, with many anticipating significant US Federal Reserve rate cuts, even as worries grow over the sustainability of recent market performance and central bank independence.

Investing Updates: Singapore a ‘safe harbour’ amid global volatility with Singdollar set to gain: Julius Baer

Source:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/singapore-safe-harbour-amid-global-volatility-singdollar-set-gain-julius-baer

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Julius Baer’s 2026 market outlook positions Singapore as a “safe harbour” amid heightened global volatility, with expectations that the Singapore dollar and local equities will perform well. The Swiss private bank forecasts the Singdollar to appreciate and projects Singapore corporate earnings growth of about 8 per cent in 2026. Combined with Straits Times Index dividend yields of around 5 per cent, this could translate into total returns of roughly 10 per cent in Singapore dollar terms.

The bank highlighted South-east Asia as an area of opportunity, particularly Vietnam, which is benefiting from the “China plus one” manufacturing strategy and ongoing infrastructure development. Julius Baer said its positive outlook is largely unchanged despite uncertainty stemming from renewed tariff threats by the Trump administration, noting that markets have so far shown limited reaction. While geopolitical developments may increase short-term volatility, they are not expected to derail longer-term market trajectories.

Julius Baer urged investors to move away from a traditional buy-and-hold strategy towards more tactical and diversified approaches. While artificial intelligence remains an important growth driver, global policy divergence is creating broader opportunities across regions and sectors. The bank pointed to defensive sectors such as global healthcare and cyclical stocks in Europe as attractive diversification options. Healthcare, in particular, is seen as undervalued, trading at a significant discount to global equities while delivering stronger-than-expected earnings growth and increased merger and acquisition activity.

On currencies, the report expects the US dollar to weaken due to slower growth, lower interest rates, and persistent trade and debt imbalances. Safe-haven alternatives such as the Swiss franc and Singapore dollar are expected to benefit. Precious metals, supported by central bank buying, remain attractive but volatile, prompting recommendations for tactical hedging and buying on price weakness. Overall, Julius Baer emphasised active rebalancing and global diversification to navigate a more uncertain investment landscape.