Traditional weight loss methods such as calorie counting, rigid diet plans, and infrequent check-ins with human coaches often struggle to maintain long-term user adherence. But recent developments in AI are beginning to change that. Singapore-based Welling AI, an emerging app in the digital health space, is part of a new wave of technology that prioritises accessibility, personalisation, and behavioural sustainability.

Welling AI was co-founded by Philip Man and Irwin Billing. Man is a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in the food industry, SaaS, and operations. Motivated by personal experiences with his family’s health history and his own encounter with a nutrition coach, Man set out to reimagine how people approach weight loss.

The result: an AI-powered assistant that simplifies diet tracking while offering real-time, interactive coaching.

Rather than rely on manual calorie logs, Welling AI users can record meals through voice, text, or photos. The platform uses AI to analyse food choices and provide tailored feedback, replacing tedious tracking with a conversational interface. This shift makes healthy eating more manageable, particularly for time-pressed demographics such as working professionals and parents.

According to Man, the health and wellness industry in 2025 is increasingly focused on long-term outcomes. “We are seeing users at Welling tracking their diet not just to lose a few kilograms before summer, but for healthy ageing and longevity,” he explains.

This mirrors broader trends, including a surge in the use of wearables, biometric tests, and wellness platforms aimed at understanding personal health.

Also Read: The future of fintech, healthtech, and edutech industries in the context of the new economy

Welling AI capitalises on this shift by positioning itself not just as a tracker but as a coach. The app checks in with users, offers encouragement, and adapts guidance based on evolving habits. This creates a layer of accountability typically absent in conventional diet apps.

Man adds, “It establishes a connection, just like a trainer would. That relationship is what keeps users going.”

One of the unique advantages of AI-powered health coaching lies in its availability and emotional neutrality. Traditional human coaching often comes with barriers, such as limited availability or the discomfort of admitting dietary missteps. “With AI, people feel less judged,” says Man. “They’re more honest, which is key to real progress.”

Moreover, Welling AI remembers user preferences and dietary history, leveraging data at scale to offer consistent, personalised advice. This capacity to learn and evolve mirrors that of human trainers but without the constraints of time, fatigue, or memory limits.

While many digital wellness tools have emerged globally, Welling AI targets a critical gap: the underrepresentation of Asian dietary habits in Western-centric platforms.

“Obesity rates are rising in Asia, but the existing tools do not reflect how people eat here,” Man notes. Shared meals, complex dishes, and regional ingredients often confound traditional calorie trackers.

Welling AI addresses this through region-specific datasets and culturally aware design, enhancing both accuracy and relevance. This localisation, combined with endorsements from professionals such as nutritionists and dietitians, has fuelled organic user growth across Singapore and Malaysia.

From tracking to intelligent guidance

Looking forward, Man believes the next frontier lies in predictive, proactive AI support. While current tracking tools summarise past behaviours, future systems will focus on anticipating and planning for upcoming challenges.

“Got a business dinner? The assistant will suggest a lighter lunch. It’s about helping people in real life, in real time,” he explains.

As global projections estimate that half the world will be overweight by 2035, tools like Welling AI may become indispensable for public health. By making health tracking less burdensome and more intuitive, AI has the potential to change how individuals—and eventually healthcare systems—approach preventative wellness.

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Image Credit: Welling AI

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AI startups are raising at valuations reminiscent of the dot-com boom, as investors chase the scent of exponential growth opportunities arising from the application of a transformative technology.  However, the AI hype is overshadowing another transformative boom, which also presents a high-growth opportunity, but is not yet fundraising at a premium.

As people live for longer, the global population continues to rise. In 2024, over 10 per cent of the global population was aged over 65, which represents 830 million people. In addition to this, almost 20 per cent of the population of Europe and North America were aged over 65 in 2024.

By 2050, it is estimated that one in four Europeans and North Americans will be aged over 65.  Added to the ageing populations of Asia and Latin America, it is estimated that up to 1.6 billion people could be aged over 65 by 2050 – outnumbering children under five by two-to-one as life expectancy climbs and global fertility rates continue to fall.

An US$8 trillion opportunity

In March 2025, UBS reported that this demographic change toward an older global population is creating new opportunities that could be worth US$8 trillion within this decade. Living longer has also come with a new focus for many on wanting to live ‘well’, with a hard focus on extending the ‘human healthspan’ – the period of life that is lived in good health.

One of the primary beneficiaries of the US$8 trillion opportunity will be consumer industries focused on fitness, holistic wellness, nutrition and longevity. The hospitality sector will also be a major beneficiary as a rapidly growing cohort of over 65s turn their immense spending power toward leisure activities, travel and tourism.

The spending power of this growing cohort is already substantial.  In the USA, people aged over 70 represent 13 per cent of the population but control 31 per cent of the national wealth. The ‘silver tsunami’ is the fastest-growing consumer group, representing the highest share of all spending.

A boom in the silver dollar

Alternative medicines and holistic wellness will form a growing part of spending amongst over 65’s.  Rising demand for holistic, preventative health solutions is being driven by growing scepticism toward the pharmaceutical industry and increasing awareness of the benefits of preventing illness before medical treatment is needed.

Also Read: The future of fintech, healthtech, and edutech industries in the context of the new economy

Fitness solutions and services are also projected to boom as awareness of the importance of regular exercise to increase healthspan grows.  Whilst 18–34-year-olds continue to hold 30.9 per cent of gym memberships, memberships held by people aged 55 and over are the fastest-growing group, and studies show that today it is the Baby Boomers who visit the gym the most.

UBS also predicts that the hotel industry attributable to the over-65s will grow from US$259 billion in 2023 to US$412 billion by 2030. The over-65 cohort has a higher propensity to spend than younger generations, and they spend more whilst travelling, which also implies growing margins for hoteliers who focus on over-65s and provide a suite of wellness-focused offerings.

Healthspan as a service

Inevitably, AI is set to play a central role in the future of longevity. Its ability to detect diseases at an early stage and support personalised treatment options is already improving health outcomes, while accelerating drug discovery and life-extending medical innovations.

Perhaps more interesting is the likely emergence of solutions that intersect both longevity and AI to help users improve and extend their healthspan.  A growing body of research highlights the importance of nutrition in regulating ageing processes and the development of age-related diseases, with further studies emphasising exercise.

Also Read: This startup wants to bridge the ‘missing link’ in Indonesian health tech scene

Given the importance of behaviour changes in favour of healthy eating, exercise and general wellness, it is easy to envisage AI playing a major part in powering ‘healthspan as a service’ solutions. One where every over-65 has AI-powered applications on their smartphone to monitor their vitals and to provide ‘live’ personalised nutrition advice.

Going long on longevity

Some analysts caution that AI investment is being driven more by hype than fundamentals, with startups often valued at over 23x revenue, despite high capital requirements, uncertain commercial viability, and the fact that the true value of AI has yet to be realised.

In contrast, longevity is rooted in clear, measurable fundamentals. Backed by growing consumer demand for solutions to help live longer, healthier lives, the wellness sector is attracting serious attention from venture capital and sovereign wealth funds – positioning it as a credible source of the next generation of unicorns.

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In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, digital transformation continues to redefine how hospitals and clinics improve operational efficiency and deliver high-quality patient care.

While the conversation around Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR) systems is not new, the urgency to adopt them has been reignited by recent pressures on healthcare infrastructure, talent shortages, and the global push toward value-based care. These technologies not only streamline clinical and administrative workflows but also offer significant economic benefits, ranging from cost reductions to increased revenue opportunities.

This article revisits eMAR and EMR adoption through a current lens, focusing on how these systems deliver quantifiable economic returns and remain essential in building future-ready healthcare organisations.

Understanding eMAR and EMR systems

The Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) is a specialised digital solution that replaces traditional paper-based medication documentation with an automated system designed to track medication orders, administration schedules, and patient medication histories.

It enhances communication between nurses and pharmacists by integrating with pharmacy databases, barcode scanning systems, and clinical workflows. This integration reduces human error, increases accuracy in medication delivery, and ensures that patients receive the right medication at the right time.

The Electronic Medical Record (EMR), on the other hand, serves as a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. It houses comprehensive medical and treatment histories, enabling healthcare providers to access real-time data such as diagnoses, prescribed medications, lab results, imaging studies, immunisation records, and allergies.

EMRs also support better clinical decisions by centralising patient information, facilitating data sharing within an organisation, and enabling coordination across departments. According to AgileTech, EMR systems support interoperability and can be linked with laboratory systems, radiology platforms, and billing solutions to create a seamless flow of information throughout the care continuum.

Direct economic benefits

• Reduced administrative costs

Healthcare facilities implementing eMAR and EMR systems typically experience a significant reduction in administrative overhead. By eliminating paper-based processes, organisations can decrease expenditures on physical storage space and materials by up to 80 per cent and reduce administrative staff requirements for filing and retrieving records.

These systems also minimise costs associated with transcription errors and duplicate testing and lower expenses related to chart creation, maintenance, and transportation. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the adoption of electronic systems leads to measurable cost savings by reducing administrative waste and inefficiencies.

Also Read: Decoding digital preferences: A glimpse into the future of health tech ecosystem in SEA

A medium-sized healthcare facility can save approximately US$120,000-US$200,000 annually in administrative costs alone after full implementation of these systems. This aligns with broader digital transformation trends in healthcare that prioritise operational efficiency.

• Improved workflow efficiency

Digital health record systems dramatically enhance operational efficiency. Automated documentation reduces time spent on paperwork by 25-50 per cent, while streamlined medication workflows save nurses 1.5-2 hours per shift.

Real-time access to patient information reduces wait times and improves throughput. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA), the implementation of EMRs improves documentation speed and clinical decision-making, leading to measurable productivity gains.

These efficiency gains translate to direct labor cost savings estimated at US$42,000-US$85,000 per year for a typical primary care practice.

• Enhanced revenue cycle management

EMR and eMAR systems positively impact a healthcare organisation’s revenue cycle by reducing claim denials by up to 30 per cent through improved documentation accuracy and accelerating payment processing by an average of 7-10 days. According to McKinsey & Company, well-implemented EMR systems lead to significant financial returns through faster billing and improved revenue capture.

Additionally, these systems help capture previously missed billable services through automated coding suggestions and decrease accounts receivable days by 15-30 per cent. For a mid-sized hospital, these improvements can generate additional annual revenue of US$2.1-US$3.7 million.

Indirect economic benefits

Beyond direct savings, eMAR and EMR systems yield significant indirect economic benefits, especially in patient safety and risk management. Medication errors represent one of the most costly and dangerous challenges in clinical care. eMAR systems help reduce adverse drug events by 40 to 80 percent and medication administration errors by up to 87 per cent, thanks to barcode verification and automated alerts that notify staff of potential discrepancies.

These reductions not only improve patient outcomes but also decrease the need for costly interventions resulting from complications, thereby saving hospitals between US$1.4 million and US$2.8 million annually. Additionally, the improved safety profile can lower liability exposure and malpractice insurance premiums, creating further financial relief for healthcare institutions.

Also Read: What telemedicine and Health Tech holds across SEA amidst COVID-19

EMR systems also contribute to improved clinical outcomes that translate into measurable financial gains. Enhanced documentation and access to patient data enable more informed decision-making, leading to a 5 to 15 percent reduction in hospital readmission rates and a decrease in the average length of stay by 0.5 to 1.2 days.

Improved adherence to infection control protocols, driven by automated reminders and system alerts, reduces hospital-acquired infections. In chronic care management, EMRs facilitate better monitoring of patients with conditions like diabetes and hypertension, preventing costly acute episodes. On average, these outcome improvements can lead to savings of US$1,000 to US$3,000 per patient admission.

From a regulatory perspective, digital health systems offer considerable advantages in maintaining compliance with healthcare laws and standards. eMAR and EMR systems streamline the preparation and execution of audits by automating documentation, tracking required procedures, and maintaining up-to-date patient records.

This automation reduces audit preparation time by 30 to 50 percent and significantly lowers the risk of penalties resulting from documentation errors or incomplete records. Moreover, healthcare facilities report saving 300 to 600 hours of staff time annually on compliance-related tasks, further emphasising the long-term return on investment.

ROI timeline and strategic considerations

While the economic advantages are clear, healthcare providers must consider the investment timeline. Implementation costs for eMAR and EMR systems typically range from US$15,000 to US$70,000 per provider, depending on the scale and complexity of the deployment.

However, most organisations report achieving a positive return on investment within 24 to 36 months. Cloud-based solutions often provide faster ROI due to reduced infrastructure costs and easier scalability. Furthermore, healthcare providers that prioritise staff training and change management during the adoption phase tend to realise returns up to 40 percent faster than those that neglect these components.

Also Read: How immersive tech can boost your health and happiness

A well-executed implementation strategy significantly accelerates the time-to-value and ensures long-term sustainability.

Implementation best practices for long-term economic value

To fully capitalise on the economic benefits of eMAR and EMR systems, healthcare organisations should approach implementation with a structured strategy. Conducting a comprehensive workflow analysis before deployment helps identify inefficiencies and design optimised processes.

Integration with existing platforms such as laboratory, radiology, and billing systems is essential to avoid data silos and ensure seamless information flow. Investment in training programs ensures that staff understand and adopt the systems effectively, which is crucial for long-term success.

Phased rollouts help manage costs and reduce operational disruption. Collaborating with healthcare software development partners with domain-specific expertise also improves implementation outcomes. Tracking performance metrics post-deployment enables organisations to measure financial and clinical impact and make continuous improvements.

Following healthcare interoperability standards ensures that systems can scale and adapt in line with future requirements.

Conclusion

The economic benefits of implementing eMAR and EMR systems extend well beyond efficiency gains. These technologies deliver comprehensive financial advantages through reduced administrative costs, streamlined workflows, improved billing, enhanced patient safety, better clinical outcomes, and regulatory compliance.

As healthcare organisations continue to transition toward value-based care, the case for digital health record systems becomes increasingly compelling. Rather than viewing EMR and eMAR adoption as an IT expense, forward-thinking healthcare providers recognise these platforms as strategic investments that enhance care quality and organisational sustainability.

With evolving challenges such as aging populations, healthcare worker burnout, and the integration of AI-driven diagnostics, EMRs and eMARs are no longer optional. They are essential tools in building the healthcare systems of tomorrow.

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Digital tools are everywhere, yet many doctors still feel invisible. It’s time we paid attention.

“Sometimes the doctor even forgets I’m from a pharmaceutical company.”

A Malaysian sales representative shared this during a recent conversation. She was talking about her routine visits to smaller clinics just outside Klang Valley, where outreach is minimal, support is inconsistent, and product education is often delayed.

That one sentence stuck with me. It quietly revealed a reality many overlook: In our rush to scale digital outreach, we’re often sacrificing meaningful engagement.

The overlooked majority

Pharma sales strategies tend to focus on major urban clinics—large hospitals and high-prescribing GPs in Klang Valley or Penang.

But beyond these are thousands of independent doctors in places like Ipoh, Seremban, Batu Pahat, and Kota Bharu. They serve diverse patients and play a central role in primary care—but receive little to no tailored support from pharma reps or digital programs.

They are not unwilling—they are underserved.

They are also increasingly overwhelmed. With lean clinic teams, growing patient loads, and limited exposure to updated product information, these doctors often rely on relationships and trusted reps for nuanced insights. When those links weaken, so does the larger healthcare system around them.

The paradox of digital reach

Malaysia has one of the highest smartphone adoption rates in Southeast Asia. Most doctors use WhatsApp and social platforms daily. But being digitally connected doesn’t mean they’re effectively engaged.

More often than not, these doctors receive:

• A forwarded product brochure
• A generic email blast
• Or a rushed call about stock or quota

That’s not engagement—it’s noise.

Also Read: The silent crisis in pharma: Why underserved doctors are the key to unlocking market growth

And when communication is reduced to checklists and quotas, it creates fatigue, not familiarity. The very tools meant to bring reps and doctors closer are often widening the gap.

Why this matters now

As Malaysia shifts toward decentralised healthcare—especially with an aging population and increasing chronic diseases—frontline doctors will become even more critical.

If the industry continues to deprioritise them, we risk neglecting the very channels patients rely on most.

The so-called “long tail” of doctors aren’t peripheral—they’re essential.

A better approach

The key isn’t more tech. It’s more thoughtful tech.

Some simple shifts can go a long way:

• Deliver medical content in mobile-native formats
• Enable WhatsApp-based rep communication, not just CRM push alerts
• Design self-service tools that reflect doctors’ actual day-to-day needs
• Empower reps to move from sales talk to solution-driven conversations

We also need to stop thinking of digital engagement as a one-size-fits-all campaign. A single platform won’t work for every doctor—but a flexible framework, layered with empathy and feedback loops, just might.

Innovation doesn’t always mean building another app. Sometimes, it means rethinking the touchpoints we already have.

Final thoughts

The rep’s comment wasn’t a complaint. It was a quiet observation about a system that’s forgotten its users.

If we want to truly modernise pharma sales in Malaysia, we need to redefine what engagement means—starting not with dashboards, but with empathy.

Because often, the most valuable conversations are the ones we’re not having yet. Because at the end of the day, real transformation doesn’t come from tools. It comes from people choosing to listen better.

Often, the most valuable conversations are the ones we’re not having yet.

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At Nas Summit Singapore, during a panel moderated by Nuseir Yassin (Nas Daily), two debates emerged that reflect the broader tension founders everywhere are trying to navigate: Do people prefer talking to AI or to humans? And should founders openly reveal that they use AI at all?

Both questions sound philosophical on the surface, but they carry real implications for how businesses scale, build trust, and communicate in a world where AI is no longer a novelty — it’s infrastructure.

What I shared on that stage, and what I’ll expand on here, comes from operating two AI-driven companies, training more than a thousand founders, and integrating a personalised AI assistant into nearly every part of my daily workflow.

These debates aren’t separate. They’re deeply connected. And together, they point toward a new model of communication that prioritises outcomes, transparency, and empathy, even when delivered by AI.

People don’t prefer humans, they prefer problems solved

The first debate was framed as a choice: Do consumers want to talk to humans or AI?

On the surface, most people instinctively say “human”. But this response has less to do with emotional loyalty and more with the current state of AI systems.

When AI interactions fail, they fail because:

• The model wasn’t trained deeply.
• The system doesn’t retain context.
• Responses feel robotic.
• The intent is misunderstood.
• The conversation lacks nuance.

In contrast, a human can pick up emotional cues, adjust tone, and interpret complexity, even on a bad day.

But let’s zoom out.

We didn’t prefer ATMs over bank tellers — they were simply faster. We didn’t prefer chat to voice calls — it was simply more convenient. We didn’t prefer telemedicine to clinics — it was simply more accessible.

People didn’t switch from phone calls to WhatsApp because they wanted less human contact. They wanted speed, clarity, and convenience.

Across every wave of technological transition, human preference follows the same logic: Utility first. Emotion second.

So the real question isn’t “Will AI replace human communication?” It’s: “When AI becomes fast, context-aware, and natural — will people care if it’s human at all?”

Most people won’t, because they care far more about the outcome than the origin.

Also Read: Generative AI and inclusive branding: Are we there yet?

Empathy is not emotional, it’s functional

A common argument against AI communication is that “AI has no empathy.”

Correct. AI cannot feel empathy. But most empathy expressed in customer service, coaching, support, and instruction isn’t emotional. It’s cognitive empathy: Understanding a situation and responding in a supportive, solution-oriented way.

Humans bring warmth and emotional resonance, but they also bring:

• Fatigue.
• Frustration.
• Inconsistency.
• Ego.
• Miscommunication.
• Impatience.
• Emotional bias.

AI brings none of this.

When trained well, an AI agent:

• Remains consistent.
• Applies feedback instantly.
• Follows protocol reliably.
• Keeps full conversational history.
• Never misfires due to mood.

This doesn’t make AI “more human”. But it does make AI more stable.

And stability is a form of empathy — one that users increasingly appreciate in high-volume, high-stress communication contexts.

AI isn’t here to outperform human emotional intelligence. It’s here to perform cognitive empathy at a level of consistency humans cannot match.

Voice AI isn’t there yet, and that’s why humans still feel better

The one domain where humans still consistently outperform AI is voice.

Today’s voice models are improving fast, but still lag in:

• Emotional modulation.
• Breath patterns.
• Warmth.
• Pacing.
• Micro-pauses.
• Stress detection.
• Tonal nuance.

We underestimate how much of communication depends on sound, not words.

This is why talking to AI still feels unfamiliar. It’s not the intelligence. It’s the lack of emotional believability in the delivery.

But the gap is closing quickly, and when voice AI begins to feel natural — human enough, conversational enough, warm enough — people will prioritise the same thing they always have: “Did this solve my problem?”

And if the answer is yes, the interface won’t matter anymore.

The second debate: Should founders reveal they use AI?

The next question at the panel was far more personal: Should founders disclose that they use AI to reply to messages, create content, or manage their operations?

Some leaders still hesitate, fearing that disclosure implies:

• Lack of authenticity.
• Lack of authority.
• Lack of personal involvement.

But here’s the reality founders don’t say out loud: Nobody running a scalable organisation is manually writing every message, replying to every email, or producing every piece of content.

Also Read: Report: Asia Pacific, Japan drive the next wave of global AI innovation

Whether the delegation goes to:

• A marketing assistant.
• A content team.
• A virtual assistant.
• Or an AI agent.

It’s a delegation. And delegation is not deception. It’s an operational necessity. The only difference today is that AI makes the delegation visible. That visibility makes some people uncomfortable.

But choosing not to disclose doesn’t make a founder more authentic.
It makes them performative.

Authenticity isn’t manual labour; it’s ownership of ideas

I openly tell people I use Seraphina, my AI assistant, because she doesn’t write for me. She writes with me.

And she writes based on:

• 20 years of documented work.
• Thousands of pages of content.
• Speeches and workshops.
• Strategy decks.
• Training materials.
• Personal philosophy.
• Creative concepts.
• Lived experiences.

Seraphina isn’t producing ideas I’ve never had. She’s expressing the ones I already formed — more efficiently, more consistently, and with more clarity than I could during peak workload periods.

That’s not a loss of authenticity. That’s an amplification of it.

Transparency doesn’t reduce trust. It enhances it.

Especially in an era where consumers and teams can instantly tell when a founder is pretending to be everywhere at once.

The future isn’t AI or humans, it’s the balance between speed and humanity

When you combine both debates from the Nas Summit panel, a larger conclusion emerges:

• People care about speed, clarity, and outcomes.
• They care about trust, transparency, and leadership.
• And AI, when used well, supports all of these.

Also Read: Are Southeast Asia’s emerging economies resilient enough to resist trade uncertainty?

AI will not replace human connection. But it will increasingly handle the layers of communication that humans shouldn’t have to bear:

• Repetitive queries.
• Administrative responses.
• Predictable workflows.
• High-volume customer engagement.
• Operational messaging.

This frees humans to focus on:

• High-level thinking.
• Creativity.
• Strategy.
• Relationship-building.
• Empathy.
• Connection.
• Vision.

AI doesn’t diminish humanity. It creates space for it.

The founders who thrive in the next decade won’t be the ones who avoid AI, nor the ones who blindly automate everything.

It will be the leaders who strike the right balance: Human where it matters. AI where it scales. And transparency woven throughout.

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The retreat in equities and corresponding climb in yields underscore a market bracing for a pivotal Federal Reserve decision, yet the true story unfolding beneath the surface lies not just in macroeconomic indicators but in the interwoven dynamics of institutional behaviour, leveraged positioning, and emerging technological risk.

As investors parse through weaker-than-expected manufacturing data and recalibrate their expectations for monetary policy, crypto markets have become a barometer of broader risk sentiment, a sentiment now defined by extreme caution, forced deleveraging, and a growing unease about the integrity of the very infrastructure underpinning digital finance.

US equities pulled back modestly, with the Dow shedding 0.9 per cent and the Nasdaq down 0.4 per cent, but the real pressure emerged from the cryptocurrency sector, which extended its weekly losses with another 0.5 per cent decline over the last 24 hours. This pullback occurred against the backdrop of US$3.48 billion in net outflows from US spot Bitcoin ETFs in November, the largest monthly redemption since February. BlackRock’s IBIT alone accounted for US$2.34 billion of that total, a stark signal of institutional risk aversion.

These outflows are not merely passive portfolio adjustments. They translate directly into selling pressure on Bitcoin’s spot market, as ETF issuers must liquidate BTC holdings to meet redemptions. In a market already sensitive to macro headwinds, this institutional exodus has acted as a powerful accelerant to downside momentum, reinforcing the correlation between traditional risk assets and crypto that has solidified over the past year.

Compounding this institutional pullback is a wave of forced deleveraging in the derivatives market. In just 24 hours, US$235 million in Bitcoin positions were liquidated, with an overwhelming 82 per cent of those coming from long positions. This long squeeze, which saw open interest decline by 2.5 per cent, reflects a classic feedback loop. Price declines trigger margin calls, which force leveraged traders to sell, which drives prices lower still. The result is a cascade that not only pushes Bitcoin below key technical levels, such as the critical 85,000 dollar psychological support, but drags the broader altcoin market down with it.

The volatility generated by this dynamic has deepened investor anxiety, pushing the Fear and Greed Index to a mere 16 out of 100, a reading firmly in extreme fear territory. Historically, such levels have often coincided with market bottoms, but the current environment presents a more complex picture due to structural shifts in market composition and new vectors of systemic risk.

Also Read: What new compliance rules mean for crypto growth today

Among those emerging risks is the spectre of AI-driven exploits in decentralised finance. Recent research from Anthropic demonstrated that AI agents, operating in simulated environments, could identify and exploit vulnerabilities in smart contracts to extract US$4.6 million in value. While these experiments occurred in sandboxed conditions and did not affect live protocols, the implications sent ripples through the crypto community. The fear is not that AI has already breached live systems, but that the automation of exploit discovery could drastically lower the barrier to entry for malicious actors.

Projects with unaudited or poorly vetted code, still distressingly common in the DeFi space, could become low-hanging fruit for increasingly sophisticated AI tools. This concern, though speculative in its immediate impact, contributes to a broader reassessment of risk in the sector, particularly among institutional participants who prioritise regulatory and security compliance. It adds another layer to the current bearish sentiment, not as a primary driver of price action but as a background anxiety that discourages fresh capital deployment.

Meanwhile, macro conditions continue to shape the investment landscape. The ISM Manufacturing PMI’s drop to a four-month low reinforces concerns that tariffs and global trade friction remain a drag on industrial activity. While this would typically bolster the case for Fed rate cuts, the simultaneous rise in US Treasury yields, with 10-year yields climbing to 4.096 per cent and two-year yields to 3.537 per cent, suggests markets are also pricing in a more resilient economic outlook for 2026. This duality creates tension.

Weaker near-term data support easing, but stronger forward expectations could limit the pace of cuts. In this context, the Fed’s anticipated 25 basis point cut in December appears increasingly certain, yet investors remain wary of overextending into risk assets ahead of the actual announcement.

Global currency markets reflect similar recalibration. The Japanese yen strengthened against the dollar as expectations for a December Bank of Japan rate hike returned to the fore, pushing 10-year JGB yields up by six basis points to 1.86 per cent.

This narrowing of the yield differential between US and Japanese debt supports further yen appreciation, which could influence capital flows into and out of Asian markets. In China, equities rose despite poor November PMI data, as investors bet on imminent fiscal or monetary stimulus, a classic bad news is good news reaction in a market starved for policy support. This divergence between fundamentals and sentiment underscores the fragile nature of the current rally in Chinese assets, which remains contingent on government intervention rather than organic growth.

Also Read: Green dots and red alarms: How a US$3M hack and strategy’s cryptic tweet sent crypto into a tailspin

In the commodities space, Brent crude rose one per cent to US$63.30 per barrel, remaining sensitive to geopolitical developments in the Middle East and to OPEC+ supply discipline. Gold, trading flat at US$2,340 per ounce, continues to serve as a defensive hedge, though its lack of momentum suggests investors are not yet rushing into traditional safe havens. Instead, capital appears to be moving toward quality fixed income, as UST spreads widen and bonds become more attractive ahead of expected Fed easing.

All these threads converge on a central question. Is the current pessimism in crypto markets a contrarian signal or the beginning of a deeper correction? The trifecta of ETF outflows, leveraged long unwinds, and AI-related security fears has created a perfect storm of negative sentiment. History suggests that extreme fear often marks exhaustion points.

The key variables to watch are whether Bitcoin can stabilise above US$85,000 and whether ETF flows reverse in December, particularly in light of Vanguard’s recent move to grant its clients access to crypto ETFs. This development could reignite institutional interest. If outflows slow or turn positive, and if macro conditions align with a dovish Fed pivot, the stage could be set for a relief rally.

Until then, the market remains caught between technical support, macro uncertainty, and the lingering shadow of new technological risks that challenge the foundational trust assumptions of decentralised systems.

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Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) are rapidly consolidating their position as global hubs for AI, shifting from enthusiastic adopters of imported technologies to global developers and exporters of advanced AI solutions. A special report, Spotlight on Asia-Pacific Japan, outlines how structural, economic and workforce shifts are powering the region’s accelerating leadership in agentic automation and AI-driven transformation.

The report describes APJ as the “AI launchpad of the world”, a status built on the complementary strengths of its diverse markets. India is emerging as the world’s R&D engine, backed by its vast population of developers and the rising influence of Global Capability Centers, which are evolving into strategic innovation hubs. These centres now design, test and export enterprise-grade AI solutions, strengthening India’s role in global digital transformation.

Japan provides the region with deep research expertise and a track record of rigorous governance, ensuring that AI innovation progresses with strong safeguards.

Greater China contributes significant infrastructure capacity, from China’s global lead in AI patents to Taiwan’s dominance in semiconductor manufacturing, which underpins the hardware backbone of the global AI economy.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian markets such as Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia offer agile startup ecosystems, serving as real-world laboratories for AI-first applications.

Australia has similarly become a proving ground for sector-wide testing and scaling of AI use cases.

Also Read: Institutional flight, AI fears, and leverage unwind: Why crypto is crashing now

Investment fueled by ROI expectations

APJ organisations are significantly stepping up investments in AI technologies. Enterprise spending is projected to nearly double from US$90 billion in 2025 to US$176 billion by 2028. More than half of the region’s businesses are reallocating budgets from other areas to prioritise AI, signalling confidence in its transformative potential.

However, this spending comes with strict performance expectations. C-suite leaders are demanding two- to four-times returns on investment within 12 to 18 months, an aggressive benchmark that underscores rising scrutiny.

Already, 40 per cent of APJ enterprises are deploying AI agents, and more than half expect to implement them by 2026. With boardrooms increasingly demanding measurable outcomes, AI and automation professionals are under pressure to adopt systems that offer robust monitoring and transparent reporting of results.

A notable shift in the region’s AI strategy is its migration from cost optimisation to top-line growth. The rise of agentic AI, or AI that is capable of reasoning, planning and executing complex tasks autonomously, is enabling enterprises to unlock new revenue streams.

Financial services institutions are using AI agents to accelerate loan processing and claims validation, freeing staff to focus on cross-selling, up-selling and personalised customer engagement.

Manufacturers across Japan, South Korea and China are employing agentic AI for dynamic production scheduling and inventory optimisation, positioning themselves to support more flexible, on-demand manufacturing models.

In healthcare, institutions such as Gold Coast Health are deploying AI to streamline administrative and clinical workflows, improving outcomes by giving clinicians more time with patients.

Also Read: From energy to ergonomics: 20 AI startups to watch in Southeast Asia

Orchestration and trust as strategic priorities

As APJ organisations expand their AI programmes, they are increasingly focused on orchestration: the need for a unified system that coordinates AI agents, robotic process automation and human workers across complex workflows.

The report highlights examples such as Omega Healthcare, which uses orchestration to manage accounts receivable, denial management and payment posting with a mix of AI agents, RPA bots and human oversight. This approach strengthens financial performance by reducing cycle times and improving accuracy.

Trust is also emerging as a foundational requirement. Businesses want enterprise-grade AI agents that operate within clear guardrails to ensure predictable, compliant outcomes. Without strong governance, scaling AI beyond pilot projects becomes significantly harder.

Governments across the region are attempting to balance innovation with responsible oversight. Japan’s AI Promotion Act adopts an innovation-first philosophy, while Australia’s Voluntary AI Safety Standard aims to protect high-risk environments without stifling experimentation.

ASEAN has introduced a Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, and Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0 places heavy emphasis on talent development, industry growth and resilient research infrastructure.

The workforce implications are profound. The report characterises the emerging era as one where “AI agents think, robots do and people lead”. Human roles are shifting from hands-on validation to oversight and strategic decision-making—a transition described as moving from “human-in-the-loop” to “human-on-the-loop”.

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Filipino founders are building momentum in an ecosystem defined by grit, diversity, and community-driven capital, and the latest Gobi-Core report shows why these traits matter now more than ever.

At the heart of the Philippine startup journey is resilience. Founders rate persistence as their most important trait, a reflection of the country’s tough funding cycles and constantly shifting market realities. This tenacity is not just admirable; it is a survival skill in a landscape where deal volume has sharply declined.

Equally encouraging is the growing gender diversity shaping the ecosystem. With women now comprising nearly half of surveyed founders, the Philippines is inching closer to true parity. This shift signals a healthier and more representative pipeline, though sustained attention to mentorship and equitable funding access remains crucial.

Another defining feature is the Philippines’s grassroots funding ladder. Most founders rely on angels, bootstrapping, and personal networks rather than institutional venture capital. While this underscores the difficulty of accessing formal funding, it also highlights a uniquely community-driven approach to early-stage growth.

Despite challenges, startups continue to create jobs, particularly in edutech, e-commerce, HRtech, and entertainment. These signals point to a dynamic, resilient ecosystem: one where creativity and determination continue to fuel long-term economic impact.

REGIONAL

Singapore crypto platform’s founder sued for US$60.5M over alleged fraud: Over 270 former users of Tokenize Xchange accessed founder Hong Qi Yu and COO Erin Koo of fraudulent misappropriation of US$263.7M. MAS and police investigate its parent AmazingTech for fraudulent trading.

Danantara open to Grab-GoTo deal, awaits further details: Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani said the agency is open to joining the deal but will wait until details become clearer, including on pricing and structure. He emphasised that the welfare of ride-hailing drivers should be a key priority.

Shopping scams cost Indonesia US$666.6M in 2025: The most common scams involve fraudulent shopping transactions and fake calls using AI and social engineering. OJK data shows 62,999 reports of shopping scams, with average losses of US$1,020 per case.

Roojai bags US$60M as investors bet on digital insurance boom: Investors include Apis Partners, Asia Partners, HDI International, and IFC. The Thai firm will expand its ASEAN operations, strengthen embedded insurance, and drive tech-led transformation in the region’s insurance market.

Meet the 6 graduating startups of the 13th IdeaSpace Accelerator Programme: After graduation, IdeaSpace’s support will continue. Startups will receive mentorship, access to network, and guidance across different aspects of business.

REPORTS, FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

What drives Filipino founders? A deep dive into the 2025 startup report: Filipino founders are propelled by resilience, growing gender diversity, and grassroots funding pathways, shaping a dynamic startup ecosystem.

From caution to discipline: Inside SEA’s year of startup reset: Did the downturn make Southeast Asia more disciplined, or simply more cautious? The answer, founders say, lies somewhere in the middle, but with an apparent tilt toward long-term maturity.

From energy to ergonomics: 20 AI startups to watch in Southeast Asia: Taken together, they offer a snapshot of where Southeast Asia’s AI ecosystem is heading next: less hype, more context, and products built for the region’s unique constraints.

The age of infinite workers: Why AI changes the rules of economics and global power: AI-driven productivity shifts suggest debt matters less as nations that invest in energy and compute infrastructure gain exponential economic power.

Through the fog: Why 2025 holds ‘fragile optimism’ for global logistics: Global logistics faces uncertainty in 2025, with Southeast Asia poised for growth through AI, resilience, and strategic trade shifts.

INTERNATIONAL

Temasek joins US$300M Series B in German’s Black Forest Labs: Salesforce Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and Air Street Capital also joined. Black Forest Labs develops generative AI models for images. It will use the funding to advance the R&D of its visual AI models.

UAE now lets users buy gold, silver at ATM: The machine lets users buy gold and silver bars using e-wallets or credit cards, and withdraw physical bullion from digital accounts. The companies plan to deploy 35 to 40 ATMs across the country in 2026.

Sam Altman declares ‘code red’ to focus on ChatGPT upgrades: The Information report says OpenAI is prioritising improvements to ChatGPT and postponing other projects. OpenAI is also testing various ad formats, such as those related to online shopping.

Didi starts 24/7 driverless robotaxi trial in Chinese major city: The trial covers the Huangpu core area, including metro stations, schools, malls, offices, and residential buildings. The system matches vehicles based on pickup and drop-off points, road conditions, dispatch distance, and local demand.

Trump administration said to take equity stake in ex-Intel CEO’s chip startup: The administration has agreed to inject up to US$150M in XLight, a startup led by former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger. This marks the office’s first investment after the Trump administration took over a US$7.4B Biden-era semiconductor research institute.

SEMICONDUCTOR

Intel to make Malaysia assembly hub with US$208.1M investment: The US chipmaker is also nearing completion of a US$2.9B advanced packaging facility in Penang. Intel said it has committed US$680K to support R&D and education initiatives in Malaysia over the past two years.

SoftBank sells Nvidia stake to raise funds for AI projects: CEO: SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son explained that SoftBank needed capital for initiatives such as data centre construction and acquiring US chip designer Ampere Computing. He dismissed concerns about an AI investment bubble.

Nvidia launches new AI models for speech, safety, self-driving: The launch includes Nvidia Drive Alpamayo-R1, an open reasoning vision language action model for autonomous vehicle research. The model integrates AI reasoning with path planning and will be available on GitHub and Hugging Face.

AI

Indonesia has 25 AI startups, compared with 300 in Singapore: minister: Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the gap creates “room for growth” for tech players to to accelerate innovation, supported by Indonesia’s advantage in large-scale datasets.

The hidden advantage: How AI insights will power Asia’s next growth cycle: Asia’s startups face tighter funding and fast-shifting markets, but AI is becoming their edge—turning data into early signals, sharper predictions and faster decisions, enabling founders to act with clarity before the next growth cycle.

Inclusive AI isn’t optional – it’s Asia’s tech advantage: Asia doesn’t need to copy Silicon Valley’s mistakes. We have the opportunity to lead differently, to build AI that reflects our diversity and cultures. Our superpower is the ability to blend innovation with values rooted in community, family, and balance.

Why founders should stop hustling and start automating: If you’re a founder building something important, don’t burn yourself out trying to “do it all.” Step back and ask: What can I systemise? What can I automate? That shift in mindset is what takes you from fire-fighting to future-building.

Why AI won’t replace developers — but CEOs must lead the transformation: Generative AI is reshaping teams, pushing CEOs to align developers, processes, and leadership to stay ahead in faster dev cycles.

How ChatGPT and automation are revolutionising so-called ‘traditional’ industries: ChatGPT and a business strategy grounded in automation won’t replace the provision of food, drink and connection, but it can improve businesses’ ability to provide those exceptional experiences.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Ad astra per aspera: Finding hope and truth in an age of misinformation: A year of uncertainty reveals how misinformation fuels fear and division, yet hope endures through empathy, critical thinking, and inclusive leadership—reminding us that through struggle, we can still reach for the stars.

First large-scale AI Workflow Competition opens regional call for builders and SMEs: The competition brings builders and SMEs together to design and deploy real world agentic AI workflows that solve practical business challenges and drive everyday automation adoption.

Why continuity plans for F&B businesses is a must: When a company is conscious of the changing climate, it can be of favour and be confident in implementing long-term sustainable strategies, instead of pursuing short-term gains to stay innovative and stay relevant.

Gen Zs, Millennials, and Baby Boomers: When are they most productive at work?: Understanding the needs of a modern, intergenerational work environment is essential for attracting and retaining talented employees.

The SEA headcount trap: Why more people ≠ more progress: The best SEA founders are rethinking scale—not by adding more people, but by multiplying their effectiveness. It’s not about working harder. It’s about building an AI-first team that scales smarter.

People-first teams: How SEA startups embrace remote-first culture in the AI era: Southeast Asian startups are embracing remote-first models and AI tools to scale efficiently while prioritising flexibility and wellbeing.

What 2025 taught me about discipline, real customers and building a business that lasts: Founders in 2025 learned that sustainable growth comes from hard decisions, real customer traction, and scaling people over hype.

The global skill shift: Why smart companies are building borderless tech teams: Borderless hiring is reshaping global work as companies integrate offshore talent to drive innovation, agility, and diverse problem-solving.

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Southeast Asia’s digital economy is continuing its robust expansion, firmly on track to exceed US$300 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) by year-end. This remarkable trajectory not only showcases the region’s resilience but also represents a 1.5X increase compared to the inaugural forecast made ten years ago.

According to the e-Conomy SEA 2025 report prepared by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company, the achievement of this monumental milestone marks the conclusion of a decade of transformative growth, during which the digital economy expanded from approximately US$40 billion GMV to over US$300 billion in 2025.

The decade of digital breakthroughs

The past decade has witnessed monumental transformations driven by over 200 million new internet users coming online, propelling the region beyond passive digital consumption into a fully adopted digital lifestyle.

Also Read: Digital adoption in Asia: An unstoppable juggernaut transforming economies

Crucially, the region has undergone fundamental shifts in commerce: now, three in five users have made an online purchase, and over 60 per cent of all transactions are digital, a stark contrast to the pre-2019 landscape, where more than 60 per cent of transactions were cash-based. The digital economy’s revenue has seen an even more aggressive expansion, growing 11.2X over the decade to a forecast US$135 billion in 2025.

Sustained double-digit growth amid headwinds

Despite ongoing macroeconomic pressures, the region continues to deliver sustained double-digit growth in both GMV and revenue. The overall digital economy (covering e-commerce, food delivery, transport, online travel, and online media) is projected to reach US$299 billion in GMV for the SEA-6 markets in 2025, rising to US$305 billion when the new ASEAN-10 markets are included.

This sustained growth is powered by deepening digital participation and successful monetisation strategies, including diversified revenue streams, tiered offerings, and higher pricing across major sectors.

Revenue growth is mirroring and often outpacing GMV expansion across all sectors, demonstrating the successful monetisation discipline adopted consistently over the past two years. For the ASEAN-10 region, GMV is forecast to grow 14 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to reach US$305 billion in 2025, while revenue is projected to increase by 15 per cent YoY to reach US$100 billion.

Closing the gap with mature markets

Although the Southeast Asian digital economy has significantly outpaced GDP growth, the region still holds substantial potential to catch up with mature markets like the US and China. Key levers for future growth include increasing internet penetration and rising transaction values.
Internet penetration in SEA is projected to reach 71 per cent in 2025, notably lower than China’s 77 per cent and the US’s 92 per cent, indicating ample headroom for further online adoption.

Also Read: AI adoption in SEA e-commerce: The clock is ticking for sellers

Furthermore, consumer expenditure per capita is projected to be around US$3,400 in SEA by 2025, compared to US$59,000 in the US and US$5,300 in China. This gap suggests that rising disposable incomes will drive convergence in spending patterns, offering a powerful growth lever for the digital economy in the next decade.

Looking ahead, the focus remains on leveraging AI acceleration and greater regional cooperation, while carefully navigating global uncertainty and regulatory developments.

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Most founders know when something isn’t working. Sales plateau. Costs creep up. Competitors move faster. But when it comes to pivoting — making the bold changes that could save or even transform the business — fear sets in.

• “What if I alienate my existing customers?”
• “What if the new direction fails?”
• “What if I lose what I’ve already built?”

The irony? By waiting too long, the market often forces the pivot on you — usually at a far higher cost.

The macroeconomic reality

The business environment today leaves little room for hesitation:

• Rising costs of capital: Interest rates and investor caution mean chasing low-margin growth is unsustainable.
• AI disruption: Entire job functions are being automated, shrinking traditional career pathways and reshaping what value looks like.
• Regional shifts: ASEAN economies are growing rapidly, but competition for talent and attention is fiercer than ever.

In this climate, agility isn’t optional — it’s survival.

Pivoting beyond products: Rethinking revenue

When people think “pivot,” they imagine changing products or services. But sometimes the smarter pivot is in your revenue model.

• A small, niche business with 40 per cent margins can generate the same profit as a large-volume business with five per cent margins — but with far less overhead and complexity.
• Service providers can shift from one-off projects to retainers or subscriptions, smoothing cash flow.
• Agencies can combine volume services (low margin) with strategic consulting (high margin) to balance stability and profitability.
• Product companies can explore distribution partnerships or franchising rather than chasing expensive direct sales.

The goal isn’t just revenue growth — it’s sustainable profit. Pivoting the revenue model can often buy you more runway than pivoting the product.

Also Read: Borderless builders and frontier founders: Laying the foundations of the future economy

How to pivot smart

• Validate fast: Use micro-tests, pilots, and strike teams to check new directions before committing.
• Cut the drag: If a product line, client segment, or cost centre doesn’t pull its weight, trim it.
• Think regionally, not just locally: The next big customers may not be in Singapore; they may be in Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, or Manila.
• Restructure the model: Revenue isn’t just “sales.” It’s margin, repeatability, and cost alignment.
• Communicate the why: Bring your team and customers into the story. People back bold moves when they understand the logic.

Conclusion

Survival in today’s market isn’t about waiting for perfect conditions — it’s about moving before you’re forced to.

Pivoting isn’t failure. It’s evolution. And the businesses that pivot early — whether it’s product, market, or revenue model — are the ones that not only survive, but come out stronger.

The real question is: Are you waiting for the market to push you — or are you ready to take the first step yourself?

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