Media OutReach
Wooden Snake and crypto market prospects from global broker Octa

In 2025, popular cryptocurrencies show different dynamics: Bitcoin is up 8%, Ethereum is down 6% as of 27 January 2025, despite uncertain regulatory developments. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order significantly revamping the national cryptocurrency policy. The order established a dedicated cryptocurrency working group to propose new regulations, safeguarded banking services for crypto companies, and prohibited the creation of a competing U.S. central bank digital currency. Additionally, it repealed burdensome accounting guidelines that had previously stifled digital asset adoption—a notable victory for the crypto industry. However, some investors remain sceptical, showing limited enthusiasm despite these advancements. The cryptocurrency market is seeing a sharp decline on Monday, 27 January, with Bitcoin dropping below $100,000 to an 11-day low. This downturn is largely driven by a significant selloff in the technology sector, which has sparked a broader risk-off sentiment among investors. As cryptocurrencies are often considered high-risk assets, this shift in market mood has weighed heavily on their performance.
Additionally, caution surrounding the Federal Reserve’s upcoming meeting is adding to the pressure. Investors anxiously await decisions on interest rates, with concerns that the Fed may keep rates elevated for a prolonged period. This uncertainty about monetary policy has heightened market unease, further contributing to the decline in cryptocurrency valuations.

Therefore, the snake pattern and consolidation of ETHUSD that has formed in recent months may be replaced by a sharp move, after the adoption of new regulations or clear signals on the Fed Funds rate.
Hashtag: #Octa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Octa
Octa is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.
In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine.
Media OutReach
4 in 5 Singapore residents prioritising savings, investments and insurance amongst others despite expectations of a tough year ahead: AIA Live Better Study
18-29 year olds significantly more optimistic and feel more financially prepared to confront the year compared to 40-49 year olds.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 February 2025 – AIA Singapore today announced findings from the seventh edition of the AIA Live Better Study, which reflects the evolution of a society where more than 4 in 5 (83%) of Singapore residents plan to actively manage their finances amid concerns of a sluggish economy in 2025. The survey aims to uncover the aspirations and concerns of Singapore residents as they navigate these challenging times in the new year.
The study also found a stark contrast in the temperament and financial preparedness between two age groups. While more than half (54%) of those aged 18 – 29 feel financially prepared to tackle the challenging economic situation in 2025, only 34% of those aged 40 – 49, many of whom are taking care of their parents or kids, share similar sentiments.
Conducted in November 2024, the AIA Live Better Study[1] investigated the evolving financial, health, and wellness needs of Singapore consumers. Against expected muted economic growth in 2025[2], this year’s study explores the mindset and actions of Singapore citizens and PRs as they navigate these challenging times.
Unsurprisingly, only 47% of Singapore residents are optimistic about the economy. Inflation and cost of living (50%) remain the top economic concern amongst the population, followed by worries over job security (35%) and income levels (34%).
“Despite the expectation of challenging times, the people of Singapore are showing remarkable resilience and proactiveness. This reflects a maturing society which has a better understanding and appreciation of the value of planning early and planning well for their future and that of their loved ones, which is especially noteworthy as we celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday this year,” said Irma Hadikusuma, Chief Marketing and Healthcare Officer at AIA Singapore.
“AIA Singapore is committed to supporting the community with compelling solutions, tools and resources needed to overcome today’s challenges and secure a prosperous future. Our mission is to help people live healthier, longer, better lives, ensuring financial and overall well-being,” she added.
Securing financial resilience: Insurance and investments take centerstage in long-term financial plans
Rather than wringing their hands in despair, Singapore residents are taking on a positive mindset with more than 1 in 2 (54%) indicating that financial readiness in the long-run is more important to them in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The top three priorities Singapore residents believe will help them achieve financial security are savings (62%), a stable income (57%), and to have emergency funds (52%). Notably, 1 in 2 (48%) Singapore residents also cited insurance as an important way to ensure financial stability, a positive indication of an increased understanding about the importance of insurance as part of long-term financial planning.
Looking ahead, Singapore residents have plans to uptake a myriad of long-term financial solutions to prepare against the volatile economy in 2025:
- Approximately 3 in 5 (59%) Singapore residents are tightening their purse strings and planning to spend less on daily expenses or big-ticket purchases.
- Singapore residents are making plans to build emergency funds (29%), plan for retirement (28%), and diversify investments (27%) to strengthen their long-term financial readiness.
- Singapore residents are likely to see an increased uptake in endowment and investment plans as over a fifth of respondents intend to boost their expenditure towards insurance (22%) and investments (27%) in the coming year.
AIA Singapore offers a comprehensive range of compelling solutions designed to align with the unique aspirations of individuals and families, encouraging them to start their savings journey early. By leveraging the power of compounding interest, we help individuals and their families grow their investments for the long-term and secure a prosperous future. AIA insurance representatives are here to provide personalised guidance to help you make informed decisions about your financial well-being.
Balancing the budget in preparation for rising healthcare expenses
A substantial subset when it comes to Singapore’s cost of living is healthcare costs. Aligned with Health Minister Ong Ye Kung[3], the study noted that the increasing cost of healthcare is a key economic concern that must be addressed. Key insights include:
- More than half (53%) of Singapore residents perceive healthcare costs to be expensive.
- Yet, less than half (47%) feel financially prepared to manage these costs, calling for more support, financial and non-financial, by both the government and private sectors.
- Singapore residents are taking matters into their own hands, planning to combat the potential high healthcare costs via insurance plans (57%), personal savings (56%) and government healthcare financing and support (49%).
A Generational Gap: 18 – 29 year olds are stressing and skimping less compared to their 40 – 49 year old counterparts
Many in their 40s are feeling the pressures of being in the sandwiched generation, and they are the most pessimistic about their outlook for 2025 across all demographics. This is in comparison to the more optimistic demographic of 18 – 29 year olds in Singapore.
Financial Priorities Shift with Age: From Experiences to Stability
Despite the nation’s overall sentiment, the younger generation (aged 18 – 29) are less stressed about the economy and are less likely to take steps towards financial preparedness. This is in contrast to Singapore residents in their 40s.
- The younger generation is more optimistic (56%) about the economy than those in their 40s (38%),
- They are less concerned about inflation and cost of living (34% compared to 63%).
- Fewer 18-29 year olds strive to be debt and loan free (16%) compared to their older counterparts (28%).
- Less than 2 in 5 (34%) younger adults foresee themselves cutting back on daily expenses and only 35% planning to reduce their budgets for big-ticket items.
- In contrast, approximately 1 in 2 (47%) of those in their 40s will be cutting their daily spending and 45% will be reducing purchases of big-ticket items.
This could be attributed to their current phase in life – between completing their education and starting their working life – those between the ages of 18 and 29 are focused on experiencing the fun and joys of life[4].
Stresses on the Job Market
Having stable employment is important to all Singapore residents regardless of age. Approximately 1 in 2 (47%) of those aged between 18 and 29 years old, and approximately 3 in 5 (61%) of those in their 40s cited it as an increasingly important aspect of their overall wellness in 2025.
However, their likely approach to pre-empting a potential loss of job differs:
- While the younger ones prioritise upskilling (40%) more than the older generation (28%),
- The latter will focus on building their savings (55%) and setting aside emergency funds (46%).
Even the support that the two age groups require differs:
- While 18 – 29 year olds find mental health and well-being support (40%) to be more important,
- 40 – 49 year olds would prefer more practical support in the form of job placements, career transition services (52%) and access to online training and upskilling programmes (47%).
The differing reactions and behaviours towards the economy underscore the stage of life that both groups are in. While the younger generation is still learning to live life and experience the joys that come with it, those in their 40s recognise the many responsibilities they have. While their approaches differ, both generations share the goal of securing a stable future in challenging times.
[1] The seventh wave of the AIA Live Better Study is an independent study that was conducted from 29 November to 9 December 2024 with a sample size of 1,000 representing Singapore’s general population.
[2] ‘Economic trends to watch for Singapore in 2025’ (Jan 1, 2025) The Straits Times. Available at: https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economic-trends-to-watch-for-singapore-in-2025
[3] ‘Healthcare costs are rising in Singapore. Is there really nothing we can do about it?’ (Nov 23, 2024) CNA. Available at: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/healthcare-costs-rising-singapore-hospitals-government-subsidies-moh-4764391
[4] ‘The Big Read: Understanding why millennials and Gen Zers feel the way they do about work’ (Jul 30, 2022) CNA. Available at: https://www.todayonline.com/big-read/big-read-understanding-why-millennials-and-gen-zers-feel-way-they-do-about-work-1956641
Hashtag: #AIASingapore
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About AIA
AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR[1], Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR[2], and a 49 per cent joint venture in India. In addition, AIA has a 24.99 per cent shareholding in China Post Life Insurance Co., Ltd.
The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$289 billion as of 30 June 2024.
AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 42 million individual policies and 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.
AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock codes “1299” for HKD counter and “81299” for RMB counter with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol “AAGIY”.
Media OutReach
24/7 FITNESS Launches Flagship Club at Orchard Road, Targets 40 Locations Across Singapore in 3 Years

The 10,000-square-foot Orchard flagship club is Singapore’s largest 24/7 FITNESS facility and boasts state-of-the-art equipment from world-renowned brands. Offering advanced cardio machines and weight-training equipment, the gym is designed to meet the needs of all fitness levels, from beginners to seasoned athletes. As a 24-hour gym, members can work out conveniently, enjoying unparalleled flexibility in their fitness schedules.
“Our goal is to redefine fitness accessibility in Singapore by providing world-class facilities and services at an affordable price,” said Ingrid Wong, CEO of 24/7 FITNESS. “By expanding to 40 locations over the next three years, 24/7 FITNESS is committed to becoming the fitness brand of choice for Singaporeans who prioritize their health and well-being.”
24/7 FITNESS has already opened 13 branches in strategic locations across Singapore, including popular spots like Ci Yuan Community Club, Keat Hong Community Club, The Seletar Mall, Margaret Market and Yew Tee MRT. Upcoming sites include prominent destinations such as The Cathay, Jalan Besar, Beauty World and Tampines North Community Club, ensuring that members across the island have easy access to 24/7 FITNESS’s world-class facilities.
24/7 FITNESS offers a transparent pricing model starting at just $98 per month, with no joining fees or prepayment required. This straightforward pricing ensures that members receive exceptional value without the hidden costs often associated with other gyms. With access to all 24/7 FITNESS locations across the Asia-Pacific region, members can enjoy flexibility and convenience wherever they go. For those seeking personalized guidance on their fitness journey, the gym has a team of dedicated personal trainers available to help customers achieve their goals.
24/7 FITNESS is also introducing cutting-edge technology with its Smart Face Recognition Terminal, allowing for seamless and secure access to all locations worldwide without the need for a physical key fob or card. This contactless entry system is ideal for those with busy schedules or traveling abroad, ensuring quick and easy access whenever needed. Additionally, the gym’s welcoming atmosphere, designed with a neutral color scheme and soothing Tiffany Blue accents, fosters a comfortable environment where members of all fitness levels can feel at ease and motivated to reach their goals.
Founded in Hong Kong, 24/7 FITNESS has rapidly grown to over 200 locations across the Asia-Pacific region, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau. Its entry into Singapore marks a significant milestone in the brand’s mission to make fitness accessible and affordable for all. As part of its commitment to the local community, 24/7 FITNESS aims to redefine the fitness experience in Singapore by combining convenience, technology, and value, ensuring that all Singaporeans can achieve their health and wellness goals.
For further details about 24/7 FITNESS clubs, please visit: https://bit.ly/3BzsHj9.
Hashtag: #247fitness
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
24/7 FITNESS
24/7 FITNESS is a renowned international fitness brand with over 200 locations in Asia-Pacific, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau. Founded in Hong Kong, 24/7 FITNESS is dedicated to making fitness easy, affordable, and accessible for everyone. The brand offers 24-hour gym access with no long-term contracts, joining fees, or upfront payments. With a commitment to providing high-quality, hassle-free fitness solutions, 24/7 FITNESS empowers individuals of all fitness levels to achieve their health and wellness goals.
Official Website:https://sg.247.fitness/
Media OutReach
NIA Unveils 2025 Startup Trends: AI, Green Tech, and FinTech Set to Soar as Thailand Drives Global Growth Ambitions

As we step into 2025, startups face a dynamic landscape marked by economic fluctuations, evolving consumer behaviours, and the rapid emergence of new technologies. Amid these challenges, three key technology sectors are poised for significant growth and investment opportunities: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Sustainability Technologies, including Green Tech, CleanTech, and Climate Tech; and Financial Technologies (FinTech).
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), stated that over the past year, Thailand has been home to approximately 2,100 startups, comprising 700 in the pre-seed stage and 1,400 in the go-to-market or growth stage. When compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, Thai startups have demonstrated consistent growth, with seed-stage funding increasing by 4% year-on-year and a cumulative growth rate of 3.3% since 2021.
According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Index published last year by StartupBlink—a leading global hub for startup ecosystem data—Thailand ranked 54th globally and 4th in Southeast Asia, following Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This reflects the significant progress of Thailand’s startup ecosystem, which is increasingly recognised on the global stage as one of the region’s emerging hubs for entrepreneurial ventures.
One of the key challenges for Thailand’s startup ecosystem lies in the rapid expansion of Data Centres, with the country emerging as a prime destination for both domestic and global investors. Positioned as the region’s new “Digital Economy Hub,” Thailand’s data centre capacity has surged by over 54% in the past three years, ranking third in ASEAN, following Singapore and Malaysia. Projections for 2024–2027 estimate that Thailand could attract around 260 billion baht in data centre investments.
However, to fully capitalise on this growth, Thailand must accelerate talent development to meet market demands and establish robust, long-term policies that inspire investor confidence. These efforts are critical in fostering a sustainable ecosystem that aligns with the broader challenges of the AI-driven society, the need for upskilling and reskilling the workforce, and the global shift towards ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. Embracing ESG not only ensures sustainable business practices but also positions Thailand competitively within the evolving global economic landscape.
Looking ahead to 2025, both in Thailand and globally, the startup landscape is set to be driven by transformative technologies that promise significant growth potential. These key trends include:
Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is rapidly revolutionising industries, with Generative AI at the forefront due to its versatility across sectors. This technology fuels continuous, efficient innovation by creating new content, solutions, and processes. Additionally, the rise of AI Agentic Systems—capable of autonomous thinking, analysis, and decision-making—marks a major leap forward. These systems excel at managing complex tasks and solving multidimensional problems, with over 70% of business leaders and investors confident in their potential to transform operations, from strategic planning and production to customer service. AI Agents not only enhance responsiveness to market demands but also significantly reduce resource consumption, making them an essential asset for future-focused organisations.
Sustainability Technologies (Green Tech, CleanTech, and Climate Tech): As environmental challenges intensify, businesses are increasingly prioritising ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, while consumers demand eco-friendly, socially responsible products and services. This shift is propelling the global environmental tech market towards exponential growth, with forecasts predicting an average annual increase of nearly 25% over the next decade. Innovative solutions addressing clean energy, waste management, and sustainable products are driving this momentum. For startups to succeed in this space, it’s critical to develop business models that balance profitability with positive environmental and social impact.
Financial Technology (FinTech): In Southeast Asia, FinTech continues to dominate the investment landscape, securing an impressive 26% of seed funding in 2024—the highest across all sectors—followed closely by blockchain technologies at 20%. This underscores the sector’s resilience and attractiveness, fuelled by innovations in digital payments, decentralised finance, and blockchain applications.
In an era defined by rapid technological change, agility is key. Startups must cultivate adaptability, building flexible systems that can pivot in response to evolving market conditions. This dynamic approach not only strengthens business foundations but also ensures sustained growth and scalability in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Dr. Krithpaka emphasised that in 2025, under its role as Thailand’s “Focal Conductor of Innovation,” the National Innovation Agency (NIA) remains committed to fostering and accelerating the growth of startups through its extensive mechanisms and networks. The agency will focus particularly on the development of “Impact Tech”—technologies designed to create positive economic and social impacts, reinforcing Thailand’s global image and recognition as an “Innovation Nation.”
NIA’s support framework spans the entire startup journey, from inception to international market expansion guided by the strategic pillars of Groom -> Grant -> Growth -> Global.
GROOM (Knowledge Incubation & Network Building): This phase nurtures entrepreneurial capabilities through the NIA Academy, offering comprehensive courses in collaboration with strategic partners and self-paced learning via online platforms like MOOCs. Additionally, the Startup Thailand League plays a pivotal role in enhancing innovation skills among university students, equipping them with entrepreneurial mindsets and preparing them to transition from academic environments to the real-world startup ecosystem.
GRANT (Funding Support): NIA provides diverse forms of non-repayable grants tailored to stimulate innovative business development. These grants support both economic drivers—such as national innovation business promotion platforms and regional innovation ecosystems—and social impact projects, including the ‘Innovation Village’ initiative and urban and community-focused programmes.
For startups aiming to scale rapidly and penetrate new markets, the National Innovation Agency (NIA) offers robust opportunities to drive business growth under the GROWTH pillar. This is achieved through a suite of tailored incubation and acceleration programmes across four key sectors: Food Technology – via the flagship SPACE-F programme, designed to nurture food-tech startups towards global competitiveness; Agricultural Technology – through the AGROWTH initiative, focusing on innovations that revolutionise modern agriculture; Health Technology – supporting startups that develop cutting-edge health and medical solutions. Climate Technology – fostering sustainable innovations that address climate change and environmental challenges.
To inspire and showcase outstanding innovation success stories, NIA runs the “Nin Mangkorn” project, a platform highlighting transformative ventures. This initiative has evolved into “Nin Mangkorn 10X,” with a bold mission to propel high-potential entrepreneurs into capital markets, targeting revenues of no less than 100 million baht within three years.
Under the GLOBAL pillar, NIA is committed to expanding Thailand’s startup footprint on the international stage through the establishment of a Global Startup Hub. This initiative facilitates cross-border market access, strategic partnerships, and international networking. NIA has forged strong alliances with key global ecosystems, including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the Nordic countries, creating a dynamic bridge for Thai startups to thrive in diverse markets.
In addition to its growth and global expansion strategies, the National Innovation Agency (NIA) is actively fostering investment opportunities through mechanisms such as Corporate Co-Funding, in partnership with the Thai Venture Capital Association (TVCA). This initiative provides co-investment funding of up to 10 million baht to support high-potential startups.
Complementing this effort are key government and industry bodies offering robust financial support: The Board of Investment (BOI) promotes promising startups with incentives ranging from 20 to 50 million baht, particularly for those in the Pre-Series A+ stage and beyond; The One Innovation Fund, managed by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), offers substantial backing with a total fund allocation of 1 billion baht to accelerate industrial innovation; and Beacon Venture Capital has launched the Beacon Impact Fund, focusing on investments aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, with an initial fund of 1.2 billion baht.
Moreover, the upcoming “Startup Promotion and Development Act” or the long-waited “Startup Act”, a landmark legislative framework is set to play a pivotal role in solidifying Thailand’s startup landscape. The Act will introduce comprehensive measures to support entrepreneurship, attract investment, and create a more conducive environment for startups to thrive, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Thailand as a leading innovation-driven economy.
Hashtag: #NIA #NationalInnovationAgency
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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