Clara Lim

Fintonia Group • 26th January 2022

The pitfalls and challenges of investing in Bitcoin, and how to avoid them

As the world’s largest, longest-standing, and most legitimate cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is here to stay . Thought leaders in the investment banking and private equity space, including and , agree and have been actively allocating to this new asset class. The question is, how should professional investors buy into this attractive institutional asset class? As you’ll see in this article, different pitfalls arise every step of the way, from buying to holding to selling to bequeathing Bitcoin.

MoneySmart • 20th January 2022

Entering the US Stock Market: What You Need to Know & How to Do It From Just US$1

Most Singaporeans start investing by buying shares such as CapitaLand or DBS on the Singapore stock exchange. These SGX-listed blue chip stocks seem safe, tend to be stable, and can offer passive income in the form of dividends. However, as we become increasingly financially savvy, a lot “graduate” into investing in the US stock market. The US stock market is where mega-companies like Apple, Tesla and Google are listed, and can fast-track the growth of your investment portfolio compared to investing only locally.

Fintonia Group • 6th January 2022

Cryptocurrency, money laundering and KYC: why are regulations important?

Cryptocurrency has come a long way since the very first Bitcoin in the world was mined back in 2009. Almost 12 years on, it’s safe to say that cryptocurrency has well and truly emerged from the shadows and come into the mainstream. But with cryptocurrency’s widespread interest and adoption comes another issue: how do we ensure that this innovation begets more good than harm? That’s the sentiment underpinning the numerous regulatory frameworks that are just beginning to emerge.

MoneySmart • 8th December 2021

How to Achieve FIRE by 50, While Still Giving Your Kids the Best

This post was written in collaboration with Syfe. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best information in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence. You can view our Editorial Guidelines here. Most Singaporeans wouldn’t even dream of uttering the words “financial independence” in the same breath as “being a parent”.

Fintonia Group • 16th November 2021

What investors should know about security, hacking and cryptocurrencies

Like anything else that is digital in nature, virtual currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are vulnerable to security and privacy breaches. Such breaches can happen even if the cryptocurrency itself is highly secure. For example, Bitcoin’s blockchain ledger is designed with such robust safeguards in place that it is practically impossible to counterfeit BTC or make fraudulent transactions.

Fintonia Group • 2nd November 2021

Diversifying your portfolio with Bitcoin: should professional investors do it?

As a professional investor, you wouldn’t be new to the importance of diversification in investments. By spreading one’s capital across multiple asset types, a well-diversified portfolio allows you to gain exposure to high-growth vehicles while reducing the risk of putting all your eggs in one basket. Although not a traditional asset class like stocks or bonds, cryptocurrency is worthy of serious consideration as part of your portfolio diversification strategy.

Fintonia Group • 19th October 2021

Valuing Bitcoin: what are the challenges & solutions?

Unless we live in or travel to a country like El Salvador, where Bitcoin is legal tender, we generally can’t transact on a day-to-day basis with BTC just yet (albeit Paypal is allowing consumers in the US and Europe to transact with BTC).

Fintonia Group • 28th September 2021

Is Bitcoin a sustainable investment?

Bitcoin has its fair share of skeptics. For many critics, the elephant in the room is Bitcoin’s massive environmental impact. This issue isn’t new but was famously brought into the mainstream conversation by Tesla CEO (and on-again, off-again Bitcoin proponent) Elon Musk in May 2021.

Fintonia Group • 20th September 2021

7 most popular cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin

As the world’s oldest cryptocurrency and the largest by market share, it’s clear that Bitcoin reigns supreme as king of the crypto universe. Nevertheless, investors should not underestimate the runners-up. These other cryptocurrencies are collectively known as “altcoins”. There are thousands of altcoins, thanks to the low barrier to creating new crypto tokens.

Fintonia Group • 30th August 2021

10 most important cryptocurrency buzzwords in 2021, explained

Cryptocurrency is not just an investment asset class — it’s also a new technology that’s developing even as you read this article. Let us help get you up to speed with the most important crypto terminology in 2021.

Fintonia Group • 18th August 2021

Guide to Cryptocurrency Part 1: What it is & Why it Matters

As a relatively new concept, cryptocurrency is often misunderstood. This article will give potential investors a broad overview of the cryptocurrency market and explain its significance as both an investment asset class and technology.

MoneySmart • 13th August 2021

5 Best Crypto ETF Alternatives for Singapore Investors

Is there a cryptocurrency ETF? It might surprise you to learn that the answer is no. Although there are ETFs (exchange traded funds) for almost anything you can think of — tech companies, shopping malls, gold, cows, whatever — there still isn’t anything that’s technically a crypto ETF. That’s because regulators are still trying to decide what to do about crypto. Several companies have applied to the US Securities and Exchange Commission to approve their crypto ETFs, only to get rejected.

Fintonia Group • 19th July 2021

Thinking about investing in Bitcoin? Here's what you should know

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Bitcoin from an investor’s point of view. We hope you gain a deeper understanding of what Bitcoin is like as an asset.

MoneySmart • 15th March 2021

Astrea VI Private Equity Bonds — What You Need to Know Before Buying

Not unlike a Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, Astrea bonds are a near-annual affair and almost guaranteed to be a hit among investors in Singapore. In 2018, Singaporeans snapped up Astrea IV bonds like there was no tomorrow. In 2019, we gobbled up its sequel, Astrea V. And after a one-year break to deal with COVID-19, the latest iteration, Astrea VI bond, is now open and looks set to be another box office smash.

MoneySmart • 27th January 2021

Stashaway Review - Is This Robo Advisor Good for Beginner Investors?

You might have heard of a little robo advisor called Stashaway. OK, it’s not so little — this startup has been around since 2016 and has dominated the robo advisor scene ever since. With no minimum investment to start, affordable fees, and a beautiful, baby-bottom-smooth app, it’s no wonder Stashaway has taken newbie investors by storm. You can finally grow your money in an aesthetically-pleasing way.

MoneySmart • 22nd January 2021

Investment Brokerage Singapore Guide: Plus, Compare Commission Fees!

You’ve read up enough about how to start investing. You’ve triple-checked your emergency fund. You’re finally ready to rake it in on the stock market! Now what? The next step is to pick an investment brokerage which allows you to buy your first shares. Easier said than done, though. From bank brokerages like DBS Vickers and UOB KayHian, to independent brokerages like Saxo Markets and POEMS, the sheer number of brokerages can be overwhelming.

MoneySmart • 17th January 2021

REITs in Singapore — MoneySmart Guide to Investing in REITs - MoneySmart.sg

Investing in real estate is part of the Singapore Dream. Own property, become a landlord, enjoy a consistent stream of rental income until the end of your days. … I did say it’s a dream, right? In truth, being a landlord always sounds much nicer than it actually is. For a start, you need buttloads of money to even think about becoming one. Most of us can barely scrape together enough for an HDB flat to live in, let alone become a property magnate.

MoneySmart • 12th January 2021

Top 7 ETFs in Singapore — The Total Beginner’s Guide to Investing in ETFs

Most of us have a vague idea that we should be investing at least some of our money to make it grow, but no one ever sits us down and outright tells us how exactly to do it. If you’ve been dutifully putting money away in your savings account, yet wondering if there’s something more you should be doing with that cash, then here’s an easy answer: invest in ETFs, or exchange traded funds. But what on earth are ETFs? And how do you invest in them in Singapore?

MoneySmart • 14th August 2019

CFD Trading Singapore — Beginner's Guide to How CFD Trading Works

If you came here looking for a comparison of CFD brokerages in Singapore, you’re probably not a total beginner to investing. But just in case you’re not familiar with the notion of CFD (contract for difference) trading, a little introduction is in order. Either way, this is a simple guide to the complex world of CFD trading in Singapore. Unlike most other forms of investing where you have a clear idea of what asset or whose company you’re investing in, it’s not so intuitive with CFD trading.

MoneySmart • 18th October 2018

5 Things to Know About the New Temasek Holdings Retail Bond

Traditionally, investment bonds are hardly the stuff of casual conversation. You won’t find your insufferable colleague bragging endlessly about how much money he made with his Singapore Savings Bonds. But that looks set to change now that Temasek Holdings is offering its first retail bond, called T2023-S$. Previously, Temasek bonds were open only to institutional investors (entire companies, for example) who can cough up hundreds of thousands of dollars.