E16: Ant Group’s $984 million fine, Hongshan sets up offices in SEA, Temasek’s $6 billion loss and an aquaculture unicorn
33:39 Share

In this weekly recap episode of The Impulso Podcast, we delve into the latest news and updates from the business world. We start by discussing the record-breaking fine imposed on Ant Group, the Chinese fintech giant, amounting to a staggering $984 million. This significant penalty highlights China's strict crackdown on violations related to consumer protection, corporate governance, and various business activities. Next, we explore the expansion of Sequoia Capital's Hongshan into Southeast Asia, with the establishment of new offices in Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This strategic move aims to strengthen Hongshan's presence in the region and support its growing business interests. We discuss China's increasing economic influence in Southeast Asia and the opportunities and challenges that arise from Hongshan's expansion. Shifting our focus, we delve into the financial landscape closer to home, as Temasek Holdings, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, discloses a net loss of $6 billion for the financial year. This unprecedented loss is attributed to various factors, including market volatility, accounting changes, and geopolitical uncertainties. Despite this setback, Temasek remains committed to its long-term investment strategy, and we discuss the notion of backseat investors, and how hindsight leads to a skewed assessment of past decisions. Lastly, we explore the exciting developments in the aquaculture industry as eFishery, Asia's pioneering aquaculture technology startup, secures a remarkable $200 million in Series D funding. This funding round propels eFishery to unicorn status with a valuation surpassing $1 billion, making it the first aquaculture technology company to achieve this milestone. We delve into the implications of this funding and how it will contribute to the sustainable growth of the aquaculture farming community. Join us for this insightful recap of the week's most significant business news and gain valuable insights into the current trends shaping the global business landscape.