Stashaway CIO Stephanie Leung - AI, Fiscal Deficits and Trump Will Move Markets Most This Year

Bitcoin as "digital gold" is either the most brilliant rebranding in financial history or complete nonsense.. and we're not sure which yet. Gold has been around for thousands of years. It sits there, does nothing, and somehow maintains value. Bitcoin? It's basically a teenager having mood swings every few hours. Calling them equivalent feels like comparing a Rolex to a smartwatch; sure, they both tell time, but one's going to need a software update next week. Whether Bitcoin actually becomes the stable store of value everyone keeps talking about depends on whether it can shake off its reputation as digital gambling chips. The smart money says it will. The skeptics say it's all just very expensive speculation with extra steps. Either way, we're watching something historic happen, or, the most expensive bubble in human history slowly deflate.   --- Follow Steph here: LinkedIn: https://hk.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-leung-hk Hubbis: https://www.hubbis.com/individualprofile/602f607ba1b0dc785089dd20 Tatler: https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/front-female/top-of-her-game-stephanie-leung-stashaway --- Follow Chuang here:  URL: http://www.domore.my/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsu-chuang-khoo-ab199343/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/khoo.chuang/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/khoohsuchuang/ --- Follow DoMore here:  WEBSITE: https://www.domore.my/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DoMoreTakeChargeofYourLife ITUNES: https://apple.co/2lQ47mS GOOGLE PLAY: https://bit.ly/3b1l8iO SPOTIFY: https://tinyurl.com/y6zufvcp PODBEAN: https://domoreasia.podbean.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/domore.asia/

We sat down with Stashway's Chief Investment Officer to talk about his winding path from coding to calling the shots on investments. Turns out, making the jump from computer science to finance gave him a pretty unique lens on the whole game - one that becomes especially valuable when markets stop making sense. That tech background really shows when he walks us through what it's like trying to invest during those black swan moments that make even the smartest strategies look foolish. His approach to these unexpected events naturally led us into discussing why getting your asset allocation right matters more than ever when nobody knows what's coming next. This is where things get interesting. To make sense of today's investment landscape, he's conceptualized what he calls the FAT framework (Fiscal Dominance, AI, and Trump); basically the three big forces he thinks are shaping where money should go right now. The first piece of this puzzle, fiscal dominance, had him spending considerable time explaining how America's massive debt problem isn't just a political talking point, but something that's actually changing how smart money thinks about investing. From there, our conversation naturally shifted to practical implications. We dove into why gold keeps coming up in serious investment conversations (hint: it's not just for doomsday preppers), which connects directly to how interest rates and the whole AI revolution might completely reshape economic growth.   ///Chapters 00:00 - From Tech to Finance: A Journey of Discovery 02:54 - Navigating Black Swan Events in Investment 05:47 - Asset Allocation Strategies for Uncertain Times 08:59 - The FAT Framework: Fiscal Dominance, AI, and Trump 12:01 - US Debt and Its Implications for Investors 14:50 - Gold as a Safe Haven: Long-Term Perspectives 17:55 - The Role of Interest Rates and AI in Economic Growth   --- Follow Steph here: LinkedIn: https://hk.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-leung-hk Hubbis: https://www.hubbis.com/individualprofile/602f607ba1b0dc785089dd20 Tatler: https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/front-female/top-of-her-game-stephanie-leung-stashaway --- Follow Chuang here:  URL: http://www.domore.my/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsu-chuang-khoo-ab199343/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/khoo.chuang/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/khoohsuchuang/ --- Follow DoMore here:  WEBSITE: https://www.domore.my/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DoMoreTakeChargeofYourLife ITUNES: https://apple.co/2lQ47mS GOOGLE PLAY: https://bit.ly/3b1l8iO SPOTIFY: https://tinyurl.com/y6zufvcp PODBEAN: https://domoreasia.podbean.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/domore.asia/

What happens when the guy writing the rulebook decides to tear it up and start his own game? We caught up with Mohammad Ridzuan Abdul Aziz, who's had one hell of a career arc. He went from watching over Malaysia's markets at Bursa to jumping headfirst into the startup world - insurtech, digital banking, compliance tech, you name it. But this isn't your usual "I quit my corporate job to follow my dreams" story. Ridzuan's got this unique angle: he thinks like a regulator when he builds companies, and it turns out that's actually a massive advantage. We talked about why he's convinced B2B is the way to go in Malaysia (spoiler: B2C is brutal here), why everyone's obsession with becoming the next unicorn is kind of missing the point, and how things like AI and tokenization are not just creating more noise but genuinely changing the game. The conversation gets real about what it's like building in smaller markets, how easy it is to get trapped thinking too locally, and why Malaysian entrepreneurs might actually have more going for them than most people realize.  Chapters 00:00 - Who Is Mohammad Ridzuan Abdul Aziz? 02:56 - Why Doing Business in Malaysia Feels Like Running in Sand 05:45 - From Regulator to Risk-Taker: How He Bridged Both Worlds 09:05 - What It Really Takes to Scale a Startup 12:14 - The Business Rules Ridzuan Actually Lives By 15:04  - Tech Isn’t Everything, But It’s Close 17:55  - Building Trust in a Distrustful Market 20:52  - What Malaysia Can Learn from Global Business Culture 24:04  - Digital Banks and AI: What’s Coming and Who’s Ready 26:57  - Going Global: Why Thinking Local Will Kill You 35:49  - Why First-Principles Thinking Separates Winners from Noise 38:22  - The Talent Problem No One in Innovation Wants to Talk About 40:53  - EVs, China, and Why Germany Lost the Plot 44:12  - So You Want to Start a Business? Read This First 48:58  - How AI is Reshaping Business Faster Than You Think 52:09  - Digital Assets Are Coming for Traditional Finance --- Follow Ridzuan here:  LinkedIn: https://my.linkedin.com/in/ridzaziz --- Follow Chuang here:  URL: http://www.domore.my/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsu-chuang-khoo-ab199343/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/khoo.chuang/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/khoohsuchuang/ --- Follow DoMore here:  WEBSITE: https://www.domore.my/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DoMoreTakeChargeofYourLife ITUNES: https://apple.co/2lQ47mS GOOGLE PLAY: https://bit.ly/3b1l8iO SPOTIFY: https://tinyurl.com/y6zufvcp PODBEAN: https://domoreasia.podbean.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/domore.asia/

Everyone’s either ignoring crypto or pretending they understand it. So I brought in Fuad from Halogen Capital to unpack what’s real, what’s hype, and what might be the biggest financial shift since... well, ever. We get into why inflation is eating your savings alive, why fixed income isn’t as “safe” as you think, and how Bitcoin keeps creeping into boardrooms no one’s talking about. Fuad breaks down how digital assets are quietly becoming a hedge for the smart money—while the rest of us argue about whether it’s “too volatile.” If you think crypto’s still just a fad, you need to hear this. If you're already in? Might be time to rethink how you're playing the game. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Digital Investing 03:50 - Understanding Fixed Income vs. Digital Assets 09:44 - Client Concerns and Misconceptions about Digital Assets 12:44 - The Value of Infrastructure in Digital Finance 15:07 - The Appeal of Limited Supply Assets 18:55 - Diversification in Investment Portfolios 21:54 - The Role of Risk in Investment Decisions 24:34 - High Net Worth Individuals and Crypto Management 27:38 - The Evolution of Asset Management in Crypto 32:52 - Investment Hurdles and Real Returns 34:38 - The Shift to Digital Assets 36:42 - Institutional Interest in Cryptocurrency 39:05 - Corporate Treasury Strategies 40:50 - Risks of Leveraging Bitcoin Investments 43:38 - Bitcoin's Utility and Market Dynamics 45:35 -Tokenization and Market Efficiency 48:02 - The Future of Bitcoin's Price Dynamics 51:09 - Exploring Cryptocurrency Products 56:16 - Government and Institutional Adoption of Digital Assets StashAway is a licensed investment platform, offering low-fee wealth management for all investors For more info on Stashaway Simple: https://bit.ly/4kLtBu1 (NB: The rate of 6% p.a. is fixed, valid for 2 months from the date of eligibility. The rate includes the prevailing projected Simple rate, a 0.15% p.a. fee waiver for 6 months from the date of voucher activation and the booster that will be applied to maintain the rate.  The fee waiver and booster will be credited monthly. Projected rate for Simple is 3.6 % p.a. as of 30 June 2024. Amounts outside of the eligible range will still have the fee waiver applied to the prevailing Simple rate.  Offer applies to new clients only and ends 30 June 2025.) --- Follow Fuad here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuadalhabshi IG: https://www.instagram.com/fuadkyoto Halogen Capital: https://halogen.my/

#bitcoin #crypto #investing  What if playing it safe is your biggest risk? In this episode, Ian Reynolds pulls back the curtain on his leap from the safe world of traditional finance into the wild ride that is crypto. We get into why Bitcoin matters way more than most people think. Not just some magic internet money, but a hedge against a shaky global economy. We talk market cycles, why gold still holds its place, and what’s coming with tokenized real-world assets. And here’s a twist you probably didn’t expect: older generations are jumping onto Bitcoin faster than you’d guess. Ian also shares why now is not the time to sit on the sidelines if you care about where your money’s headed. This one will challenge what you think you know about money, risk, and the future of investing. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 02:54 - Transition from Traditional Finance to Crypto 05:53 - Understanding Bitcoin's Role in the Financial System 09:08 - Investment Strategies and Market Predictions 12:01 - The Future of Tokenization and Real-World Assets 14:54 - Tokenization of Real Estate: A New Frontier 16:16 - Portfolio Management in Crypto Investments 18:05 - The Rise of Bitcoin Among Older Generations 19:08 - Bitcoin's Future: Predictions and Comparisons 20:51 - Investing Strategies for the Next Decade 22:09 - The Importance of Patience in Investing 23:34 - Impending Economic Changes and Geopolitical Implications 25:57 - The Future of Money and Cryptocurrency Adoption StashAway is a licensed investment platform, offering low-fee wealth management for all investors For more info on Stashaway Simple: https://bit.ly/4kLtBu1 (NB: The rate of 6% p.a. is fixed, valid for 2 months from the date of eligibility. The rate includes the prevailing projected Simple rate, a 0.15% p.a. fee waiver for 6 months from the date of voucher activation and the booster that will be applied to maintain the rate.  The fee waiver and booster will be credited monthly. Projected rate for Simple is 3.6 % p.a. as of 30 June 2024. Amounts outside of the eligible range will still have the fee waiver applied to the prevailing Simple rate.  Offer applies to new clients only and ends 30 June 2025.) Follow Ian Reynolds here:  URL: https://suberia.capital/ian-reynolds  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-reynolds-fx-cap-mkts-btc

Are we misreading what it means to build something that lasts? In this episode, we sit down with the former founder of Fave & KFit, Chen Chow, who’s walked through fire: broke, lost, doubted—but never boring. From hustling with broken English to pitching investors with nothing but brutal honesty, their story punches right through the clichés. We talk about knowing when to fight for your startup and when to bury it with dignity. About staying real when everyone’s faking it. About why sometimes, the best kind of help is the one that shows up quietly, without fanfare. You’ll hear the unfiltered truth on fundraising, founders burning out, and why Malaysia’s startup scene still feels like it’s waiting to grow up. We also dive into AI, shifting work culture, and why Gen Z just isn’t built for 9-to-5 obedience. Chapters 00:00 - Embracing Strengths and Personal Growth 02:23 - Journey from Humble Beginnings to Advisory Role 05:07 - Overcoming Language Barriers and Building Confidence 07:47 - Navigating the Startup Landscape and Team Dynamics 10:28 - The Importance of Authenticity in Fundraising 12:53 - The Long Haul: Perseverance vs. Life Support 15:31 - Understanding the Signs of Business Viability 21:56 - The Importance of Silent Support 22:53 - Market Dynamics and Company Valuations 24:18 - Learning and Unlearning in Entrepreneurship 26:01 - The Role of Mentorship and Sharing Knowledge 28:07 - Fundamentals of Success and Learning 28:58 - Adapting to AI and Technological Changes 31:01 - Identifying and Solving Problems 32:16 - Challenges in the Malaysian Startup Ecosystem 33:51 - The Ripple Effect of Individual Impact 34:40 - Dreaming Big in Entrepreneurship 35:13 - Choosing Quality Over Quantity in Work 38:15 - The Future of Work and Individual Freedom

We’ve all heard politicians talk about helping people, but what happens when someone actually means it? Dr. Michael Jeyakumar isn’t your typical politician. He’s not slick, not hungry for power, and definitely not here to sell you a dream. In fact, he stepped away from the noise because he couldn’t stand how broken the system is.. and how comfortable we’ve all become living in it. In this episode, we talk about the messiness of politics in Malaysia. The lies we tell ourselves about progress. The strange obsession our leaders have with looking rich while the country crumbles quietly in the background. But it’s not all doom. We also talk about hope; real, gritty, imperfect hope. The kind that lives in ordinary people doing quiet things. This one’s not for people who love the status quo. It’s for the ones who know something’s off, and are ready to think about what comes next.   Chapters 00:00 - Intro 02:50 - Understanding Socialism in Malaysia 05:58 - The Evolution of Socialist Ideals 09:03 - Cuba and Venezuela: Case Studies in Socialism 12:12 - China's Unique Model of Socialism 14:54 - Vietnam's Approach to Economic Development 18:00 - The Threat of Socialism to Capitalism 21:00 - Corruption and the Human Condition in Politics 25:33 - Corruption and Wealth in Politics 28:39 - The Duality of Politicians 30:07 - Public Sentiment and Political Shifts 35:35 - Polarization and Voting Trends 40:49 - Principles of Life and Society 45:11 - Hope for the Future   --- Dr. Michael Jeyakumar URL: https://partisosialis.org/member/dr-michael-jeyakumar-devaraj/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partisosialis/ --- Follow Chuang here:  URL: http://www.domore.my/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsu-chuang-khoo-ab199343/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/khoo.chuang/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/khoohsuchuang/ --- Follow DoMore here:  WEBSITE: https://www.domore.my/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DoMoreTakeChargeofYourLife ITUNES: https://apple.co/2lQ47mS GOOGLE PLAY: https://bit.ly/3b1l8iO SPOTIFY: https://tinyurl.com/y6zufvcp PODBEAN: https://domoreasia.podbean.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/domore.asia/

We dive into the wild, unpredictable jungle that is Malaysian politics, where East Malaysia (yep, Sabah and Sarawak) holds way more weight than most people realize. It's not just about policies anymore — it’s a chaotic mix of big egos, big money, and fragmented voices pulling in every direction. From the sway of the Malay vote to the structural mess nobody wants to fix, we unpack why political "stability" feels more like a myth.  Spoiler: real change might just come from the youth finally getting tired of the same old political drama.   Chapters 00:00 - The Political Landscape of East Malaysia 02:52 - The Fragmentation of Political Voices 06:06 - The Role of Personalities and Money in Sabah Politics 08:50 - The Future of Sabah Elections 12:04 - The Importance of the Malay Vote 14:56 - The Challenges of Political Stability 18:08 - The Structure of Malaysian Politics 20:52 - The Influence of East Malaysia on National Politics 24:05 - The Role of Young People in Politics 27:01 - The Future of Malaysia's Political Landscape   --- FOLLOW PROFESSOR JAMES CHIN HERE:  Sunway Uni: https://sunwayuniversity.edu.my/jci/staff-profiles/professor-james-chin  Tasmania Uni: https://discover.utas.edu.au/James.Chin   X; https://twitter.com/jameschin110  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jameschin2641  --- Follow Chuang here:  URL: http://www.domore.my/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsu-chuang-khoo-ab199343/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/khoo.chuang/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/khoohsuchuang/ --- Follow DoMore here:  WEBSITE: https://www.domore.my/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DoMoreTakeChargeofYourLife ITUNES: https://apple.co/2lQ47mS GOOGLE PLAY: https://bit.ly/3b1l8iO SPOTIFY: https://tinyurl.com/y6zufvcp PODBEAN: https://domoreasia.podbean.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/domore.asia/

Chandran Nair unpacks how global power shifts are reshaping trade, with China and the US at the center of it all. He shares why ASEAN can’t afford to play small anymore and how countries need to rethink prosperity in today’s unpredictable world. This episode explores how economic models are evolving, the challenges within China’s governance, and why being adaptable matters more than ever. For anyone curious about what the future of global leadership might look like, this one’s worth tuning in to.   Chapters 00:00 The Impact of US Tariffs on Global Trade 05:17 China's Preparedness and Response to US Policies 10:20 Shifting Economic Models and Global Manufacturing 15:29 ASEAN's Position in a Multipolar World 20:55 Understanding China's Role in the Global Order   --- Follow Chandran here: URL: https://global-inst.com/our-team/ X: @Cnomics LinkedIn: https://hk.linkedin.com/in/chandran-nair-57184418a Columns:  South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/author/chandran-nair MalaysiaKini: https://www.malaysiakini.com/en/tag/chandran%20nair Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandran_Nair_(businessman) London Speaker Bureau: https://londonspeakerbureau.com/speaker-profile/chandran-nair/ --- Follow Chuang here:  URL: http://www.domore.my/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsu-chuang-khoo-ab199343/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/khoo.chuang/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/khoohsuchuang/ --- Follow DoMore here:  WEBSITE: https://www.domore.my/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DoMoreTakeChargeofYourLife ITUNES: https://apple.co/2lQ47mS GOOGLE PLAY: https://bit.ly/3b1l8iO SPOTIFY: https://tinyurl.com/y6zufvcp PODBEAN: https://domoreasia.podbean.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/domore.asia/  

Here’s a thought. What if playing it safe is the most dangerous thing you could be doing right now? Kelvin Goh doesn’t pull any punches in this episode. He dives into why the typical fear-based investment strategies are falling flat, how to spot real resilience in a sea of uncertainty, and why blindly trusting AI or hoping for a China recovery might be wishful thinking at best. He also talks about what his clients are actually worried about behind closed doors, and it’s not just market crashes. It's the fear of missing the next wave while staying too “safe.”    Chapters 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Kelvin’s Background & Market Shifts 01:36 - Reading Market Sentiment Today 01:28 - Trump, Trade Wars & Market Impact 02:56 - Global Reactions: China, ASEAN & Europe 03:50 - Cash, Strategy & Sector Rotation 03:30 - Safe Bets: Costco & MercadoLibre 04:23 - From Big Tech to Safer Plays 05:12 - Tesla’s Fall: Fear or Fundamentals? 07:47 - What Clients Are Asking 08:42 - Playing It Safe: Capital Preservation First 09:01 - Tech Watchlist for When Clarity Returns 09:21 - ASEAN Markets & The Gold Move 10:52 - Crypto & Bitcoin Reserves? Not So Fast 12:00 - Waiting for Value to Re-emerge 12:58 - AI’s Role in Investing: Helpful, Not Replacing 13:31 - Are We Near the Bottom? --- Follow Kevin here: LinkedIn: https://my.linkedin.com/in/kelvin-goh-95b440213 --- Follow Chuang here:  URL: http://www.domore.my/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsu-chuang-khoo-ab199343/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/khoo.chuang/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/khoohsuchuang/ --- Follow DoMore here:  WEBSITE: https://www.domore.my/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DoMoreTakeChargeofYourLife ITUNES: https://apple.co/2lQ47mS GOOGLE PLAY: https://bit.ly/3b1l8iO SPOTIFY: https://tinyurl.com/y6zufvcp PODBEAN: https://domoreasia.podbean.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/domore.asia/