Major US stock indices climbed on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, thanks to a strong rebound in technology shares that calmed worries about recent spending on artificial intelligence. Investors watched the S&P 500 rise 0.5 per cent to close at 6,964.82, inching nearer to the all-time high from two weeks earlier. The Nasdaq Composite, heavy with tech stocks, jumped 0.9 per cent to 23,238.67, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average barely moved, adding less than 0.1 per cent to end at 50,135.87.

This uptick came after a tough stretch last week, where tech stocks faced heavy selling. Chipmakers drove much of the recovery, with Nvidia gaining 2.4 per cent and Broadcom advancing 3.3 per cent. Oracle stood out with a sharp 9.6 per cent increase. These moves highlighted how quickly sentiment can shift in the tech sector, especially amid ongoing debates about AI investments.

Beyond US markets, international developments added to the positive tone. Japan’s Nikkei 225 reached a fresh all-time high, surging 2.8 per cent after the incumbent government secured a historic election mandate. This boost reflected growing confidence in Japan’s economic policies and stability. Treasury yields stayed calm, with the 10-year note holding near 4.20 per cent.

Traders largely ignored news that China encouraged its banks to reduce holdings of US Treasuries, suggesting that markets focused more on domestic factors. In commodities, gold dropped about 0.7 per cent to US$5,023.82 per ounce, while West Texas Intermediate oil fell 0.4 per cent to US$64.13 a barrel. Traders kept an eye on potential supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, but no immediate threats materialised. Bitcoin hovered just under US$71,000, steady after briefly topping that mark over the weekend.

Attention now turns to key economic data releases. Retail sales figures arrive on Tuesday, and CPI inflation numbers follow on Friday. These reports will shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate move. Investors have begun shifting some funds into real-economy sectors, and demand for AI-related tech stocks remains robust, supporting overall index levels. This rotation shows a market balancing innovation hype with practical economic signals.

From my perspective, this setup feels like a fragile equilibrium. The tech rebound offers relief, but if upcoming data disappoints, volatility could return swiftly. Markets often overreact to hints of inflation, and with AI spending under scrutiny, any sign of cooling could pressure gains.

Also Read: Markets on edge: AI rally fizzles as crypto plunges below US$2.42 trillion

In cryptocurrencies, the market edged up 0.28 per cent to a total capitalisation of US$2.4 trillion over the last 24 hours. This modest gain marks a brief halt after a steep downtrend, aligning closely with traditional stocks. A strong 89 per cent correlation with the S&P 500 points to shared influences from broader economic relief. Bitcoin’s tentative support after a 46 per cent drawdown stands as the main driver. Selective institutional buying has helped stabilise prices.

Secondary factors include sharp pumps in smaller altcoins and slightly upbeat social sentiment around Ethereum accumulations. Looking ahead, the market’s strength depends on Bitcoin maintaining the US$65,000 to US$70,000 range. Dropping below that could push prices back to the US$60,000 yearly low.

Bitcoin’s stabilisation follows a brutal capitulation phase. The total market cap tries to hold at US$2.4 trillion after plummeting 46 per cent from its October 2025 peak. This aligns with Bitcoin testing a critical historical support at the 1.25x realised price level, which historically divides regular corrections from deeper selloffs. The small uptick indicates that the intense selling from January and early February might ease, paving the way for a technical rebound.

Investors should closely monitor Bitcoin’s defence of US$65,000. A failure there might spark fresh liquidations, extending the pain. In my view, this support level acts like a psychological floor. Historical patterns suggest bounces often follow such tests, but current macro uncertainties make outcomes less predictable. The correlation with stocks amplifies risks, as any equity dip could drag crypto lower.

Speculative activity and changes in sentiment add layers to the recovery. While the overall market stayed flat, low-cap altcoins like GPS, AXS, and ZKP surged 20 per cent to 75 per cent on large volume. This shows capital flowing into riskier bets for fast profits, though it falls short of a full altcoin rally. Social sentiment for assets like Ethereum improved to a mildly bullish 4.83 out of 10. On-chain data reveals significant accumulations by major players, such as Bitmine.

For instance, Bitmine, linked to Tom Lee of Fundstrat, recently acquired another 20,000 ETH valued at US$41.08 million from FalconX’s hot wallet. This transaction, highlighted in on-chain tracking, fits a pattern of inflows. Just six days earlier, Bitmine received another 20,000 ETH worth US$46.04 million from the same source. Over the past two weeks, additional batches included 40,320 ETH at US$113.39 million, 38,400 ETH at US$107.99 million, 30,720 ETH at US$86.39 million, another 38,400 ETH at US$107.99 million, 28,800 ETH at US$80.99 million, 26,880 ETH at US$75.59 million, 30,720 ETH at US$86.39 million, 34,560 ETH at US$97.19 million, and 23,040 ETH at US$64.79 million. These moves signal structured buying by institutions, boosting short-term confidence.

Community reactions underscore this as smart money at work. Observers note the buys as strategic positioning rather than random trades. One commenter compared it to aggressive corporate strategies in crypto, while others highlighted the scale of the accumulation amid market fear. Ethereum’s positive whale activity provides a counterweight to broader caution.

From where I stand, these accumulations reveal an underlying belief in crypto’s long-term value. Institutions like Bitmine spot opportunities in dips, betting on future growth. This contrasts with retail hesitation, resulting in an uneven recovery. If more entities follow suit, it could spark broader buying, but isolated actions might not sustain momentum on their own.

Also Read: Fear and greed at 28: Why traders are fleeing crypto right now

The near-term outlook remains guarded. Two key elements will determine the path: Bitcoin’s push to reclaim and defend the US$73,000 resistance level, and the flow direction in US spot Bitcoin ETFs after recent net outflows. The Fear and Greed Index sits at 10, indicating extreme fear, which often precedes relief rallies when buying picks up. Holding above US$70,000 might drive the total cap toward US$2.5 trillion over time.

Without consistent spot demand, prices could revisit last week’s lows near US$60,000. Upcoming stock market data ties in here, as retail sales and CPI could sway Fed decisions, indirectly affecting crypto through risk sentiment. My take is that this moment offers a chance for stabilisation, but fragility persists. The 46 per cent drawdown scarred investors, and rebuilding trust takes time. If Bitcoin holds its ground, we might see a slow grind higher, fuelled by tech’s AI tailwinds and institutional dips.

In conclusion, today’s market action reflects cautious stabilisation across assets. Stocks rebounded on tech strength, easing AI concerns, while crypto paused its slide with help from Bitcoin support and selective buys. The interplay between traditional and digital markets grows clearer with that 89 per cent correlation. Institutional moves, like Bitmine’s ETH hauls, inject optimism, but the outlook hinges on key levels and data.

I see potential for a relief bounce if supports hold, and I warn against overconfidence. Extreme fear levels suggest upside if sentiment flips, but macro headwinds loom. Traders should watch Bitcoin’s US$65,000 to US$70,000 zone closely, as it will dictate whether this uptick endures or fades. Overall, markets catch their breath after tough times, setting up for pivotal days ahead.

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Singapore has mounted its largest coordinated cyber incident response effort to date after a sophisticated threat actor was found targeting the nation’s telecommunications backbone — the systems that keep everything from banking OTPs to government communications moving.

In a joint update on Monday, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) revealed details of a multi-agency operation, Operation CYBER GUARDIAN, launched to counter an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor tracked as UNC3886.

Also Read: After cyber attacks, silence can be the biggest brand killer: Penta’s Dan La Russo

Over 100 cyber defenders across CSA, IMDA, CSIT, the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), GovTech and the Internal Security Department (ISD), working alongside the country’s four major telcos: M1, SIMBA Telecom, Singtel, and StarHub, are involved in the operation.

The target set matters. Telcos are not “just another industry”; they are the connective tissue of a digital economy. If an attacker can burrow into telecom networks, they can potentially observe or manipulate traffic, map relationships, and position themselves for follow-on attacks, including against other critical sectors that rely on telecom infrastructure.

How the attackers got in, and what the scale looked like

CSA and IMDA characterised the campaign as “deliberate, targeted, and well-planned”, consistent with what cyber defenders typically expect from APT groups: patient intrusions designed to stay hidden long enough to extract strategic advantage rather than to smash-and-grab.

The agencies disclosed two key intrusion methods used by UNC3886:

1. In one case, the attacker used a zero-day exploit to bypass a perimeter firewall, gaining access to telco networks. They “managed to exfiltrate a small amount of technical data”, believed to be network-related data intended to advance the actor’s operational goals.
2. In another case, the attacker used rootkits and other advanced techniques to maintain persistent access, cover tracks, and evade detection — forcing defenders to perform comprehensive checks across networks to identify and flush out the intruder.

This is the uncomfortable truth of modern telecom security: even well-defended networks can be penetrated when attackers chain together previously unknown vulnerabilities, stealth tooling, and deep operational discipline.

As for the scale, the statement stops short of providing counts of compromised devices, affected sites, or dwell time per environment — likely because those details can help adversaries refine their methods.

What it does confirm is significant on its own:

• All four major telcos were targeted.
• The threat actor gained unauthorised access into some parts of telco networks and systems.
• In at least one instance, the actor obtained limited access to critical systems, but “did not get far enough to have been able to disrupt services”.

That combination — confirmed intrusion, but no confirmed customer data theft and no service disruption — points to a campaign that looks more like strategic reconnaissance and positioning than immediate monetisation. In other words, this was not a typical ransomware crew looking for a quick payday. It was closer to an adversary trying to understand, persist, and potentially hold options open.

Why a multi-agency operation is essential, and what it actually delivers

A telecom intrusion is not a “single-company incident” once it crosses certain thresholds. It becomes a national security problem because telecom networks intersect with emergency services, government communications, financial services, and the everyday operations of millions of residents and businesses.

Also Read: Southeast Asia’s cyber boom is fuelled by fear—and AI

That is why a multi-agency operation matters — not as bureaucratic theatre, but as a practical requirement:

• Speed and coordination across four telcos: When multiple operators are targeted, defenders need a unified view of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) to prevent a whack-a-mole response where attackers simply hop to the next environment.
• Broader intelligence picture: Agencies such as ISD, DIS and CSIT can contribute threat intelligence and analytical capabilities that typical enterprise security teams may not have access to — especially for state-linked or state-grade actors.
• Specialised technical muscle: Rootkits and stealth persistence can require deep forensics, network-wide threat hunting, and high-confidence remediation. Coordinating that at national scale demands extra manpower and specialist tooling.
• Clear incident command: A large incident needs disciplined governance: who makes decisions, how evidence is handled, how remediation is sequenced, and how communications are managed without tipping off the attacker.

So what results will Operation CYBER GUARDIAN yield?

The agencies say defenders have:

• Limited the actor’s movement within networks;
• Implemented remediation measures and closed off access points;
• Expanded monitoring capabilities in the targeted telcos;
• Increased ongoing activities such as joint threat hunting, penetration testing, and “levelling up of capabilities”.

In plainer terms: the operation is intended to produce a cleaner network, fewer blind spots, and faster detection-and-response if UNC3886 attempts to re-enter — which the agencies explicitly warn may happen.

Has Singapore seen similar attacks before — and what does the world tell us?

Singapore has faced major cyber incidents in the past, including the 2018 SingHealth breach, which highlighted how determined attackers can target systems holding sensitive information. While that case was not a telecom network intrusion, it did shape the country’s posture around critical systems and the reality that sophisticated adversaries will target high-value national assets.

Globally, critical infrastructure has repeatedly been in the crosshairs. A few widely cited examples illustrate the spectrum of risk:

• Ukraine’s power grid attacks (2015/2016): Demonstrated that cyber operations can translate into real-world disruption.
• WannaCry (2017): Showed how fast-moving malware can cripple essential services, including healthcare systems.
• SolarWinds supply-chain compromise (2020): Proved that attackers can infiltrate many organisations at once by compromising a trusted supplier, then quietly expand access over time.
• Colonial Pipeline (2021): Underlined how cyberattacks can trigger broader economic and social disruption even when the target is not “digital-only”.

Telecommunications firms, in particular, have long been attractive to sophisticated actors because they sit on metadata, routing infrastructure, and signalling systems, and because compromising them can create downstream access to other targets.

Against that global backdrop, CSA and IMDA’s emphasis that this incident has “not resulted in the same extent of damage as cyberattacks elsewhere” reads as both reassurance — and a reminder that the ceiling for harm can be very high.

Does this incident bring ignominy to Singapore and its government?

Not in the way that term implies.

A headline-grabbing breach can feel like reputational damage, especially for a country that markets itself as a trusted digital hub. But sophisticated APT intrusions are not a simple scoreboard of competence versus incompetence; they are an ongoing contest between defenders and adversaries with significant resources.

Two points stand out from the government’s disclosure:

• Detection and escalation happened: The activity was “initially detected by the telcos”, which then notified IMDA and CSA — a sign that monitoring and reporting pathways functioned.
• Containment without confirmed service disruption or customer data theft: Based on the information shared, the operation prevented the incident from turning into a nationwide outage or confirmed mass data compromise.

Also Read: Are cyber attacks more life-threatening than we think?

If anything, the choice to disclose the operation — while holding back specifics that could compromise defences — signals an attempt to balance transparency with operational security.

Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, speaking at an engagement event for cyber defenders involved in the operation, underscored the stakes and the shared responsibility. She said, “Your actions, or inaction, can determine whether we succeed or fail in protecting our critical infrastructure, and our national security. I urge all of you to continue investing in upgrading your systems as well as your capabilities”.

The broader message is clear: this is not a one-off firefight. It is a long campaign. And because telcos are “strategic targets for threat actors, including state-sponsored ones”, Singapore’s defence has to be equally strategic — spanning government, industry, and the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.

Operation CYBER GUARDIAN is, in effect, Singapore treating telecom cyber defence like what it is: national resilience work, not just IT housekeeping.

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The image was created using AI.

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“In the ever-evolving technology landscape…” — If you are an avid consumer of business content, I’m sure you encounter this phrase quite a bit these days! The phrase has become the de-facto opening for many B2B blogs, particularly after 2022 — the milestone year ChatGPT was introduced. The GenAI tool helped both writers and non-writers alike to escape the dreaded blank page. In doing so, it has unleashed a certain homogeneity that can put us off and might even lead us to suspect that the content is AI-generated. 

Gen AI’s twisted impact on creative content

AI tools no longer belong to just the techies and geeks. Today, we have a flurry of AI tools across writing, graphic design, product design, fashion design, photography, music, podcasts, and video production. These tools don’t just provide a decent starting point but also assist users at every stage, accelerating their creative production process.

Tools such as DALL-E, Mid-journey, and ChatGPT have dramatically sped up traditionally time-consuming design processes. Adobe’s recent move to add GenAI capabilities, enabling image creation using simple text prompts, seems like a significant step forward.  What’s interesting is Adobe intends to pay the original creators of those stock images.

And here is a game changer for music enthusiasts and creators. Aviva — an AI music-generation assistant allows you to generate new songs in more than 250 different styles in a matter of seconds. On the visual side, Luma AI’s dream machine, which is now open to the public, generates realistic and aesthetic AI videos from text and images. 

Many exclaim these tools are democratising access to professional-level creativity.

But here is the twist! If GenAI drives a never-before-seen acceleration in meaningful content production, it also contributes to AI-generated noise that lacks flavour or nuance or an authentic creative flair that catches the eye. 

Think about it — if everyone is using the same AI tools, trained on similar datasets — how would the content truly stand out, unless obviously that content — be it text, image, or video is embedded with a unique human voice? 

How can GeAI solutions solve chaos and amplify new order?

GenAI’s twisted impact on the creative workforce

Unlike other innovations in the past, which have fundamentally automated mundane, repetitive work, GenAI is inherently a creative tool that promises to automate creativity, albeit in parts. For many professional creators, the entry of GenAI was confusing. They initially demonstrated a viscerally negative reaction, but a couple of years down the time, they have begun to realise the positive impact it has on their work. 

A recent online survey by 99designs, involving 10,000 freelance designers, highlights a significant positive shift in attitudes toward generative AI as the technology becomes mainstream. The study reveals that 52 per cent of designers now use generative AI tools, up from 39 per cent in 2023. Notably, 39 per cent of respondents believe AI will positively influence their careers in the long run, compared to 29 per cent who fear it may have a negative impact. 

But once again, let me introduce the sinister twist here: The 29 per cent seem to be right, because according to Harvard Business Review, there has been a 17 per cent drop in jobs tending to visual design in the past year. Writers on the other hand faced a 30% reduction in jobs in the same year. The research clearly says the trend is likely to continue as AI would not just be a helpful assistant but also replace some of the creative jobs spanning writing, imaging, and even software coding. 

Also Read: Revolutionising retail: A blueprint for future success

Based on the above we can draw two possible conclusions:

• Experienced creators increasingly view AI as a creative ally. They use the tool predominantly for idea generation, gaining a head-start into projects as well as completing low-stakes iterative tasks, where the output can be easily verified. 
• Beginners, on the other hand, might be finding it tricky to surpass business leaders and decision makers  who increasingly believe that GenAI  minimises the need for a larger creative workforce. 

How can GenAI solutions solve chaos and amplify new order among the creative workforce?

GenAI — A friend or foe to the future workforce? 

Though many educators still believe GenAI is the wild wild west, it’s hard to miss that the technology has quietly become a staple in most students’ academic tool kit. Research highlights that 86 per cent of today’s students — the future workforce — already use GenAI in their studies, with 25 per cent doing so every day. 

GenAI has shown tremendous potential to personalise student learning and spark creative exploration. However, the biggest concern most educators/evaluators have is that students use the tool to instantly complete their assignments with the least effort. Gen Y and Gen X teachers, who have seen the transition from traditional to technology-based learning, fear students might become over reliant on the technology, losing their critical problem solving skills and the ability to think independently. This is what some students report as a “fixation of the mind”– inability to think beyond AI ideas and generate original concepts.  

This calls for a thoughtful and balanced approach to integrating AI into classrooms, presenting a promising opportunity for businesses to develop novel generative AI solutions tailored to education. 

How can GenAI solutions solve chaos and amplify new order among the future workforce?

Manipulated media — GenAI’s twisted impact on content consumption

Instagram, which helps millions of influencers monetise their content, is witnessing a proliferation of AI-generated influencers. These AI personas are stealing videos from real models, replacing faces with AI generated ones to create deepfakes. Ultimately, they profit from these manipulated videos by  linking them to dating platforms and various AI-based apps. While genuine human influencers will now have to compete with AI-generated influencers, the bigger concern is the ramifications on consumers. Could they be misled in dangerous ways? 

In an effort to curb misinformation before the election, Meta, earlier this year, proactively began tagging social media content using the “Made with AI” labels. However, soon after when multiple meta users complained that their human-generated images were incorrectly labeled, the company changed to a more subtle “AI info” label. 

We are seeing a clear tug of war between the proliferation of deepfake content and their detection. As deepfake capabilities continue to evolve, it opens up significant opportunities for enterprises and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to innovate. They can develop generative AI solutions that empower consumers to proactively flag AI-generated content, helping steer media consumption away from misinformation and disinformation. 

Also Read: Singapore aims to lead in AI — but where’s the talent?

But not everything is sinister with GenAI in the media. 

Daisy, an AI granny, attempts to strike a balance by scam-baiting hackers. The revolutionary human-like chatbot works by answering calls in real-time, mimicking human conversations to make hackers believe they are conversing with a human, when in fact, Daisy would be wasting the scammer’s time, ultimately reducing the number of scams attempted. 

Even deepfakes as a technology has shown to have tremendous potential to create content otherwise not feasible. It has been employed in production to de-age actors, synchronise actors’ lip sync and movements in multiple languages, and even bring historical figures to life. 

How can GenAI solutions solve chaos and amplify new order in media 

Here’s a technical low down on how the AI models mimic human creativity

The venture capital world is quietly rewriting its definition of a successful exit. With IPO windows opening and closing at the whim of macro headlines, liquidity has shifted from being an endgame to something founders and investors now engineer along the way.

The 2025 Endeavor Catalyst Annual Report makes this clear: secondaries are no longer a niche workaround but a core mechanism keeping capital moving.

For Southeast Asia, this evolution feels less like disruption and more like adaptation. The region is full of mature venture-backed companies that are operationally strong yet cautious about listing into uneven, fragmented public markets. When public comps wobble, an IPO can reset valuations in ways that hurt both private investors and long-term strategy. Secondary sales offer a pressure-release valve—returning capital to early funds, giving employees a chance to monetise equity, and introducing new investors without surrendering control or timing to market sentiment.

What matters now is execution. Well-structured secondaries demand pricing discipline, governance clarity, and careful communication to avoid cap table chaos. Done right, they allow companies to stay focused on fundamentals rather than chasing an uncertain listing.

The message for Southeast Asia is pragmatic: liquidity doesn’t have to wait for the perfect IPO moment. In today’s market, secondaries are not a compromise—they’re part of a more flexible, resilient venture playbook.

REGIONAL

Inside Singapore’s biggest telecom cyber defence operation: The island nation launched its largest-ever cyber defence operation after advanced attackers targeted telecom networks, prompting a coordinated national response to contain intrusions, protect critical infrastructure, and strengthen long-term cyber resilience.

SLEEK EV’s US$8.5M Series A funding signals a more mature EV playbook: SLEEK is explicitly framing itself as more than an EV manufacturer. Its long-term ambition is to become “APAC’s trusted full stack EV motorcycle Operating System”, where “partners collaborate, data compounds, and actions convert to a new way of urban mobility.”

VinFast officially enters Indonesia’s e-scooter market with strategic dealers: VinFast will begin rolling out its distribution network in the Jabodetabek area — Indonesia’s largest economic and urban centre — from the second quarter of 2026, with plans to expand to other regions nationwide.

Khazanah’s Jelawang Capital backs more than ten startups with over US$7.64M capital: Khazanah reported resilient FY2025 performance, with MYR105 billion net assets and 5.2% returns, while Jelawang Capital backed 10 startups, crowding-in MYR30 million and advancing Malaysia’s transformation, semiconductor, and AI growth.

Why Hyperbond is betting US$500K on romance-driven language learning: Singapore’s Hyperbond Studio launched Call Me Sensei, an AI companionship language app using romantic-style scenarios, and raised US$500K. It plans expansion, multilingual growth, and voice upgrades via a partnership with MiniMax.

REPORTS, FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

When IPOs freeze, liquidity finds another way: As IPO markets remain uncertain, venture capital is shifting toward secondary sales for liquidity. Endeavor Catalyst’s 2025 report shows exits surging, a trend resonating in Southeast Asia’s mature startups seeking returns without rushed listings.

Finding the right co-founder involves having tough conversations–and a great sense of humour: Starting a business often hinges on choosing the right co-founder. Founders and investors stress shared vision, trust, resilience, and complementary strengths, backed by clear agreements and planning early for conflict, exits, and continuity.

Trust remains travel’s defining currency: Inside travel’s next operating model at MarketHub Asia 2026: Global travel demand is resilient heading into 2026, but MarketHub Asia signals a shift toward optimisation, trust, AI deployment, cybersecurity resilience, and managing fragmentation across payments and regulation.

INTERNATIONAL

Databricks CEO says SaaS isn’t dead, but AI will soon make it irrelevant: SaaS companies that embrace the new LLM interface could grow, as Databricks is doing. But it also opens up possibilities for AI-native competitors to offer alternatives that work better with AI and agents.

TikTok projects APAC’s creator commercial contribution to reach US$1.2T by 2030: The growth will be driven by authentic content that boosts purchase intent, with AI tools helping brands scale creator-led marketing efficiently. Beauty & fashion, gaming, financial services, apps, and consumer electronics are emerging as key areas of growth.

Anthropic’s India expansion collides with a local company that already had the name: Anthropic’s India expansion has triggered a trademark dispute, with local firm Anthropic Software claiming prior name use since 2017 and customer confusion, seeking damages as court proceedings continue without interim injunction.

Crypto.com places US$70M bet on AI.com domain ahead of Super Bowl: The deal, paid entirely in cryptocurrency to an unknown seller, shatters previous records. Crypto.com founder Kris Marszalek plans to debut the site during Sunday’s big game, offering consumers a personal AI agent for messaging, app usage, and stock trading.

CYBERSECURITY

In Southeast Asia, cybersecurity is booming but funding is not: Tracxn research reveals that across the ASEAN region, cybersecurity startups raised US$24M across three rounds in 2025, a 40% decline from 2024 levels, when the sector pulled in US$40.1M. The number of rounds shrank as well, falling from 7 in 2024 to 3 in 2025.

After cyber attacks, silence can be the biggest brand killer: Penta’s Dan La Russo: The whitepaper warns cyber breaches are leadership crises, where poor communication destroys trust faster than technical damage. Early acknowledgement, transparency, internal coordination and visible leadership are essential to contain reputational fallout.

Bridging healthcare and cybersecurity: How women are challenging stereotypes in tech: Global venture capital is shifting from unpredictable IPO exits to secondary deals, enabling liquidity for investors and employees as mature Southeast Asian startups stay private longer.

SEMICONDUCTOR

Taiwan rejects US push to shift 40% of chip production: Taiwan’s international expansion, including its investments in the US, is predicated on the notion that the industry remains’ rooted in Taiwan and continues to expand domestic investments, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun said.

TSMC January revenue rises 37% on AI chip demand: TSMC, which also produces chips for Apple, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of a surge in artificial intelligence-related investment, due to its role in manufacturing advanced AI accelerators.

SK chief meets Nvidia CEO in US to discuss HBM, AI cooperation: The meeting took place earlier this month in California. Observers believe the two sides discussed supply plans for HBM4, the next generation of HBM expected to be used in Nvidia’s upcoming AI accelerator, named “Vera Rubin.”

AI

Google expands AI investments in Singapore: Building on the recent opening of the Google DeepMind research lab in Singapore, the firm is expanding its local R&D footprint by investing heavily in human capital — scaling specialised teams across software engineering, research science, and UX design.

AI is leaving the screen and entering the real world: Endeavor’s 2025 report shows hardware surging as venture capital’s second-largest sector, as AI shifts from software to physical systems powering robotics, chips, infrastructure, and automation globally across industries and regions.

The AI mirage: Why your stack isn’t the secret to scaling in 2026: AI adoption is nearly universal, but real value remains rare as complexity rises. With tech commoditised, founder success hinges on human intelligence—discernment, emotional resilience, and vertical leadership development.

AI helps, but systems and people hold the key to Asia’s decarbonisation: Asia’s climate risks demand decarbonisation beyond tech hype, combining AI as a force multiplier with integrated infrastructure, systems thinking, collaboration, and human talent to turn data into resilient, low-carbon cities.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

The era of ‘black box’ pricing is over: Why transparency is the new currency in B2B marketing: In 2026, pricing strategy shifts from opaque algorithms to explainable AI, turning transparency into a core sales and marketing advantage.

Crypto market cap hits US$2.4T again: Why institutional whales are buying the dip: US stocks rose as tech rebounded, easing AI spending fears. S&P 500 gained 0.5%, Nasdaq jumped 0.9%. Nvidia, Broadcom and Oracle led. Japan rallied. Investors await retail sales and CPI data.

You’ve seen OpenClaw, Clawdbot, and Moltbook everywhere: Here’s why agentic AI suddenly feels real: OpenClaw and Moltbook reignited agentic AI hype by showcasing proactive, locally run assistants, but real-world use exposes gaps in reliability, security, and operational control challenges.

Revisiting “Something Ventured”: What the birth of VC still teaches Founders today: Something Ventured traces venture capital’s origins as an act of belief and partnership. It contrasts today’s transactional funding culture with early investors backing vision, patience, and founders—reminding startups that trust still matters most.

The cold logic of the angel: Stop funding dreams, start funding plumbing: New angel investors fall for dazzling pitches and lose money. Smart investing underwrites scalable machines: real pain solved, disciplined operators, and repeatable systems for sales, hiring, support, and product execution.

Startups vs regulators: How new rules are reshaping digital finance: As Southeast Asia tightens fintech regulation, licensing scarcity, crypto supervision, and data rules reshape funding, pushing startups toward compliant infrastructure, partnerships, and regulated business models over rapid, permission-later growth strategies.

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Cross-border investments can be exciting, promising new markets, higher yields, and early-mover advantages. But they also create the perfect environment for sophisticated scams — not the cartoonish, obvious kind, but the polished, professional, “opportunity of a lifetime” kind.

These schemes don’t rely on tricks. They rely on the information gaps between what the seller knows and what the buyer cannot see.

To protect yourself, you need to understand the forces that make overseas investors so vulnerable.

The information asymmetry trap

In any foreign market, one side always knows more than the other.

The seller understands the truth: the real demand, the actual rental market, the liquidity issues, the regulatory loopholes, the financial health of the developer, and the stability of the banking system.

The buyer sees: a brochure, a yield projection, a glossy showroom, and a confident salesperson.

This imbalance is not an accident — it’s the basis of the entire sales pitch.

When you cannot verify the claims, the narrative fills the gap.

And narratives are easy to manipulate.

The market for lemons problem (Akerlof)

Economist George Akerlof described a phenomenon where bad products push out good onesin markets where buyers cannot tell the difference.

In markets where it is hard to verify quality, low-quality sellers dominate.

Overseas property is a textbook example.

Overseas real estate suffers from:

• Unverifiable valuations
• Misleading “yield guarantees”
• Incomplete projects
• Poor rental demand
• Inflated numbers masked by currency difference.

Good projects take years to mature. Scams close fast.

Good developers can’t promise unrealistic returns, but scammers can — so they win the customer first.

When buyers cannot distinguish between a good project and a bad one, they default to the one with the best-looking sales pitch.

Also Read: SEA startup investments rise for second month, totalling US$287M in Oct

This creates a market full of:

• Overpriced units
• Non-liquid assets
• Speculative “ghost cities”
• Investors who cannot exit

It isn’t your fault — the market itself is designed to trick you.

The result: buyers end up choosing the offer with the strongest story, not the strongest fundamentals. This is why so many investors end up with units they cannot rent, cannot sell, and cannot even give away.

It’s not stupidity — it’s structural. A market full of “lemons” makes it almost impossible for outsiders to spot the “peaches.”

Moral hazard — When the seller has nothing to lose

Here is the part many investors underestimate: The salesperson faces zero downside.

They get their commission immediately. You bear the risk entirely.

If the market tanks, the developer collapses, or the property becomes impossible to sell, the loss is yours alone.

This creates moral hazard: the salesperson becomes more reckless because they don’t suffer the consequences of misleading you.

This is why they get defensive when questioned. They need your belief — not your due diligence.

Confirmation bias — The story you want to believe

Investors are vulnerable not because they are naïve, but because they want the story to be true.

• “This emerging market will boom.”
• “Tourism will explode.”
• “Foreign investors always win.”
• “This special economic zone is the next Shenzhen.”

Scammers tailor their pitch exactly to your aspirations. They sell you your own hopes reflected back at you — but amplified beyond reality.

The liquidity illusion — The exit that doesn’t exist

The harshest awakening comes years later, when an investor tries to sell.

Locals cannot afford it. Foreign buyers have moved on. The promised “expat demand” never materialised. Rental returns collapse. Banks refuse financing.

You’re left with an asset that looks good on paper but has no real market.

An investment you cannot exit is not an investment — it’s a trap.

Also Read: Indonesia’s AI momentum: Big investments, bigger questions

So, how do you protect yourself?

There are no shortcuts, but there are clear safeguards:

• Verify demand using local income levels, not sales brochures.
• Check real transaction volumes, not projected yields.
• Speak to local agents who have no stake in the sale.
• Examine resale restrictions and actual liquidity.
• Question “guaranteed returns” — they almost always mask risk.
• Validate the developer’s track record with third-party checks.
• Be suspicious of urgency, FOMO, or emotional pressure.

If a deal collapses under scrutiny, it wasn’t a deal — it was bait.

Here are some things to take note of:

Research the market beyond the sales pitch

Before committing capital, go deeper than the marketing brochure. Understand the country’s:

• Economic stability
• Inflation trends
• Political environment
• Foreign ownership restrictions
• Land/title regulations
• Property or business taxation

Use impartial sources: international financial institutions, government trade portals, academic studies, and reputable local advisors.

A solid investment begins with accurate context — not with a promise.

Verify legal ownership and authentic documents

Land and property rights vary dramatically across countries. In some markets, titles are:

• Incomplete
• Contested
• Church- or clan-owned
• Improperly registered
• Legally untransferable to foreigners

Always engage an independent local lawyer— not one recommended by the salesperson — to run title checks, validate deeds, and review compliance.

Verification must be separate from the seller, or it is not verification.

Understand currency, taxation, and capital controls

Your returns may look attractive in a brochure, but foreign exchange realities can erase them overnight.

Be aware of:

• Exchange rate volatility
• Repatriation restrictions
• Double-taxation risks
• Withholding taxes
• Capital gains rules
• Annual property or business taxes

If the country has a history of sudden policy shifts (capital controls, new tax rules, foreign ownership caps), build that into your risk assessment.

Also Read: Malaysia’s digital economy surges with US$6.2B in Q2 investments

Be sceptical of “guaranteed returns” and unrealistic projections

High, stable returns with no volatility do not exist in emerging markets. Scammers use “guaranteed yield,” “exclusive early access,” or “VIP investor rates” to trigger FOMO.

Protect yourself by demanding:

• Audited financials
• Real transaction data
• Rental comparables
• Historical vacancy rates
• Actual sales volumes (not projections)

If the mathematics doesn’t hold up, the narrative definitely won’t.

Work only with licensed, verified intermediaries

In many markets, anyone can call themselves a “consultant,” “broker,” or “advisor.” This is how moral hazard thrives.

Protect yourself by checking:

• Licensing status
• Regulatory registrations
• Litigation history
• Disciplinary records
• Actual experience in that market

Never transfer funds to personal accounts, unregistered entities, or intermediaries who refuse written accountability.

Always plan your exit before you enter

Many investors get trapped not because the asset is bad, but because the market has no liquidity.

Before investing, ask:

• Can I legally sell this asset as a foreigner?
• Who are the realistic buyers?
• Is there demand from locals?
• How long do assets typically sit unsold?
• Are there restrictions on capital repatriation?

If the investment has no clear exit, it is speculation — not strategy.

Stay connected to real information, not marketing narratives

Join communities of expatriates, investors, and industry specialists. They will tell you the truth long before glossy presentations do.

Follow:

• Local business news
• Government bulletins
• Central bank updates
• Property/industry forums
• On-ground analysts

Staying informed helps you anticipate shifts before they affect your capital.

When trust is a system, not a feeling

The real danger in overseas investments is not the asset — it’s the information gap.

Scammers profit from what you can’t see. Protecting yourself means turning trust into something verifiable, measurable, and supported by local intelligence.

In cross-border investing, the real risk is rarely the market itself, but the distance between what you are shown and what you can verify. Closing that gap requires discipline, local intelligence, and a refusal to outsource trust to narratives.

When trust is built on evidence rather than optimism, overseas opportunities stop being traps and start becoming strategies.

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The post Buyer beware: How to protect yourself in overseas investments appeared first on e27.