Industry News

Moomoo Singapore has announced the opening of its first physical stores at 313Somerset and Jem, marking a significant step in its omnichannel strategy to enhance investor engagement. These stores aim to blend Moomoo’s digital strengths with physical spaces, offering investors opportunities to learn, grow, and connect in person.

The new boutiques are designed to complement Moomoo’s award-winning app by providing personalised guidance, workshops, and real-time tutorials with expert advisers. The 313Somerset store is strategically located to attract a diverse range of retail investors, from young professionals to seasoned market participants. Meanwhile, the Jem store in Jurong East aims to make investing education more accessible to families and retail investors outside the city centre.

Echo Zhao, Country Head of Moomoo Singapore, stated, “Our vision has always been about reimagining how Singaporeans experience investing. With the launch of our concept stores, we are taking that vision beyond the app and into the heart of everyday life.”

The launch of these stores comes as Moomoo Singapore celebrates reaching 15 million users since its 2021 debut. Erika Chiang, Southeast Asia Chief Marketing Officer, emphasised the community aspect, saying, “These new stores are designed to give our community a physical home where investors can meet, learn, and grow together.”

Moomoo Singapore continues to connect its 15 million clients with financial educators, market leaders, and institutional partners, aiming to make investing knowledge and networks more accessible. As Singapore enters its next growth phase, Moomoo remains committed to shaping the future of investing through digital innovation and human connection.

Lighthouse Canton, a global investment institution based in Singapore, has announced a US$40m strategic funding round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Nextinfinity and continued support from Qatar Insurance Company. This marks the company’s first external fundraising effort, aimed at accelerating its growth by enhancing technology infrastructure, attracting senior talent, and expanding its product capabilities across high-potential markets.

Founded in 2014, Lighthouse Canton has grown organically, managing over US$5b in assets across Singapore, India, the UAE, and the UK. The company has built a reputation for disciplined investment management and a client-first approach, serving entrepreneurs, families, and institutions. The strategic funding will enable Lighthouse Canton to deepen its capabilities and position itself for the next decade of growth.

Group CEO Shilpi Chowdhary stated, “This is a defining milestone for us. We have built Lighthouse Canton with an institutional mindset independently. For more than ten years we have been guided by a long-term vision of creating a world-class investment platform. With Peak XV and our strategic partners, we are deepening our capabilities, institutionalising further, and positioning ourselves for the next decade of growth.”

Lighthouse Canton’s wealth management business provides tailored solutions for high-net-worth individuals and family offices, whilst its asset management arm offers institutional-grade strategies across public and private markets. The funding marks a new chapter focusing on scale, innovation, and institutional depth, continuing to deliver exceptional value to clients.

Batik Air Malaysia, along with Batik Air Indonesia and Thai Lion Air, will relocate their operations to Terminal 4 at Changi Airport, Singapore, starting 11 November 2025. This strategic move aims to bolster the airline’s regional presence and accommodate its expanding route network across Southeast Asia.

The transition from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 is part of the Lion Group’s growth strategy, driven by increasing air travel demand. Terminal 4, designed to handle up to 16 million passengers annually, offers advanced facilities, including Changi’s fully automated self-service system, known as FAST, and unique attractions like the Chandelier playground and the Heritage Zone. These enhancements promise a seamless and engaging airport experience for travellers.

Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, CEO of Batik Air Malaysia, stated, “This relocation represents an important step in Lion Group’s long-term growth strategy in Singapore. Terminal 4 offers the capacity and modern infrastructure to support our expanding operations whilst providing passengers with a seamless, world-class airport experience.”

In addition to the terminal move, Batik Air will introduce new routes from Singapore to Ipoh, Penang, and Subang on 8 December 2025. These new services, alongside existing flights to Kuala Lumpur, aim to enhance travel options and support tourism, business, and cultural exchanges in the region, aligning with the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Passengers are encouraged to verify their flight details and plan accordingly to take advantage of the improved facilities and connectivity offered by the move to Terminal 4. For more information, travellers can visit Batik Air’s website or download their mobile app.

Singapore has emerged as a leader in digital trust and transparency, according to the latest Global Digital 2026 Report by Meltwater and We Are Social. The report reveals that 98.4% of Singapore’s population is online, with 90.6% actively engaging on social media. This high connectivity is coupled with a growing concern for digital ethics and transparency, as Singaporeans increasingly navigate the digital landscape with discernment.

The report highlights that 71.1% of Singaporeans are worried about misinformation, and over a third regularly decline cookies or express concerns about data usage. This cautious approach extends to the adoption of generative AI tools, where users demand transparency and ethical application. “People in Singapore are quick to adopt generative AI tools, but they also demand transparency and the ethical application of these tools,” the report notes.

Online shopping has seen significant growth, with 4.7 million Singaporeans making purchases online this year. Mobile devices drive 70% of these transactions, particularly in fashion, electronics, and food sectors. Despite the high time spent online, Singaporeans prioritise meaningful and credible content over mindless scrolling.

The findings underscore Singapore’s position as a digitally mature society, where users are not only connected but also conscious of their digital footprint. As digital habits evolve, Singapore is setting a benchmark for how societies can balance connectivity with ethical considerations.

Standard Chartered Foundation has announced a $6m investment aimed at enhancing youth employability in Singapore and the ASEAN region. This initiative, revealed at a recent networking event attended by key figures such as Minister Chee Hong Tat and Standard Chartered leaders, seeks to improve economic opportunities for young people, with a particular focus on young women.

The majority of the funds will be directed towards developing a programme to foster a thriving blue economy in ASEAN, which aims to sustain coastal ecosystems and improve the economic livelihoods of local communities. This initiative is crucial given that 282 million young people globally are not in employment, education, or training, including 19 million in ASEAN, where young women face higher unemployment rates.

Additionally, the Foundation will collaborate with Community Chest and Daughters of Tomorrow to launch the “Youth Employment for Success” (Y.E.S.) programme. This initiative will provide job-readiness and well-being training to young women from lower-income communities in Singapore, running until 2028. Von Leong, Board President of Daughters of Tomorrow, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating it aligns with their mission to break cycles of poverty through long-term employment.

Patrick Lee, CEO of Singapore and ASEAN at Standard Chartered, highlighted the bank’s unique position to catalyse philanthropy and sustainability, noting the economic potential of the blue economy programme and the positive community impact of their partnership with Daughters of Tomorrow. The investment underscores Standard Chartered’s commitment to empowering youth and fostering sustainable development in the region.

Coliwoo Holdings Limited, Singapore’s leading co-living operator, made a strong debut on the Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST) Mainboard on 6 November 2025. Trading under the ticker symbol “W8W,” Coliwoo’s shares opened at S$0.615, a 2.5% increase over its initial offering price of S$0.60, highlighting robust investor confidence in its growth potential and innovative business model.

The company’s public offer was oversubscribed by 20.7 times, whilst the placement was 7.3 times subscribed, indicating significant investor interest. Coliwoo, which holds a 19.5% market share in Singapore’s co-living sector, operates 2,933 rooms across 25 locations and maintains an occupancy rate exceeding 95% as of 31 March 2025.

Kelvin Lim, Coliwoo’s Executive Chairman and CEO, expressed satisfaction with the company’s market debut, stating, “We are delighted with our successful debut on the SGX-ST Mainboard today, and we thank our investors for their strong support. This positive reception reflects confidence in our position as Singapore’s leading co-living provider and our strategic growth trajectory.”

Looking ahead, Coliwoo plans to expand its market presence, targeting nearly 4,000 rooms by the end of 2026. The company aims to redefine urban living with innovative residential solutions catering to young professionals, expatriates, students, and families. As a newly listed company, Coliwoo is committed to creating long-term sustainable value for its shareholders whilst expanding its footprint across Singapore and the region.

IG Asia Pte Ltd, a leading CFD provider in Singapore, has unveiled IG Markets, the first investing app in the country to offer a 3% annual interest on shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This innovative feature aims to enhance investor portfolios by providing guaranteed monthly interest payouts alongside potential capital growth and dividends.

The app allows investors access to major global markets, including Singapore, the US, UK, Hong Kong, and Japan, without incurring commission or platform fees. It also supports fractional US shares, enabling investors to start small and diversify their holdings easily. To qualify for the 3% interest, users must open an account and complete at least one trade each month. Interest is calculated on shareholdings up to $36,500 (S$50,000) and credited in SGD on the first working day of the following month.

Gavin Chia, CEO of IG Singapore and Emerging Markets, stated, “By being Singapore’s first platform to pay interest on shares and ETFs, we’re giving investors a powerful new way to earn stable interest alongside potential capital appreciation and dividends.”

To celebrate the launch, IG Markets is offering a $159 (S$218) cash bonus to new clients in Singapore who deposit a minimum of $730 (S$1,000) and make two trades within 30 days. This offer is available until 30 November 2025. The IG Markets app is now available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

OxPay Financial Limited has announced a phased recovery plan aimed at revitalising its business operations, alongside the appointment of a new executive director and chief executive officer, Chin Mun Chung. With over 24 years of experience from AXS Pte. Ltd., Chin is set to lead the company’s expansion into the business-to-consumer (B2C) market, marking a strategic shift from its traditional business-to-business (B2B) focus.

The recovery plan, unveiled alongside the company’s third-quarter financial results for 2025, emphasises strengthening OxPay’s B2B product portfolio whilst venturing into the B2C sector for sustainable long-term growth. The company also plans to introduce an instant merchant sign-up function, enhancing its competitive edge in niche markets. This initiative is supported by a newly appointed chief risk and compliance officer, who will oversee the strengthened risk management framework.

The board’s decision to implement this recovery strategy and appoint new leadership reflects its commitment to steering OxPay back to a growth trajectory. “With continued support from shareholders, the Board is confident in achieving a business turnaround in the foreseeable future,” the company stated.

OxPay’s financial results for the third quarter of 2025 showed a revenue increase of 13% compared to the same period last year, although the company reported a loss of $515,000 (S$703,000). The board remains optimistic that the new strategic direction will lead to improved financial performance and shareholder value.

Singapore’s tourism industry is evolving as it adapts to new hospitality trends predicted for 2026. Despite welcoming over 12 million visitors by September, Singapore still trails behind regional competitors like Thailand and Vietnam in tourism recovery. The slower rebound highlights ongoing challenges such as rising operational costs and shifting consumer behaviours post-COVID-19.

However, optimism persists with events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix and major concerts showcasing Singapore’s potential as a premier destination for global entertainment. Bao Chen, Managing Director of EHL Campus Singapore, emphasises the importance of aligning with changing customer preferences to sustain growth. “The key to sustaining growth in this fluctuating landscape lies in meeting changing customer preferences,” Chen notes.

Emerging trends include “sportainment,” where events like Formula 1 and wellness runs at Fort Canning Park combine sports with cultural and culinary experiences. Additionally, Gen Z’s preference for alcohol-free socialising is driving the rise of sober and coffee clubbing, which takes place in informal venues such as rooftops and cafes. These settings offer flexible and personalised environments for socialising.

The demand for culturally immersive travel is also on the rise, with tourists seeking experiences that blend cultural exploration and local discovery. This shift towards experiential stays signals a move away from traditional travel offerings.

As Singapore’s hospitality industry pivots towards 2026, understanding and adapting to these trends will be crucial for the next phase of tourism recovery and the broader global hospitality landscape.

Genesys, a global leader in AI-powered experience orchestration, has announced the launch of its new full-service Genesys Cloud core region in Singapore. This strategic move is designed to support businesses across Asia in accelerating their customer experience transformation securely and responsibly. By connecting to the Amazon Web Services Asia Pacific (Singapore) Region, the new infrastructure will provide organisations with access to the latest AI innovations, enabling real-time experience intelligence.

The launch coincides with the release of the Future of Customer Experience 2025 (Asia) study, highlighting the growing importance of AI in customer service. According to the study, 80% of consumers in Asia value fast responses, whilst 75% appreciate friendly interactions. Despite 76% of consumers being comfortable with AI services, only 23% fully trust businesses to protect their personal data.

Olivier Jouve, chief product officer at Genesys Cloud, stated, “Agentic AI will continue to redefine how businesses operate and connect with their customers.” The new Singapore core region aims to meet the rising demand for advanced AI capabilities, providing a trusted foundation for delivering intelligent, efficient, and personalised experiences.

The investment is expected to bolster Genesys’ presence in Asia Pacific, where it already operates in cities like Tokyo, Sydney, and Mumbai. The Singapore expansion is anticipated to be operational by the end of November 2025, reinforcing the company’s commitment to regional growth and supporting Singapore’s AI-first digital leadership aspirations.