Mark Johnston
Based in Singapore, Mark is an experienced journalist and editor with over a decade of experience reporting on technology and business trends throughout Asia. Mark got his start as an engineer, graduating from the UK's Queen's University of Belfast with a Master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. As senior reporter for Regulation Asia, Mark focuses on regulatory changes impacting financial markets, with particular interest in fintech, cybersecurity and crypto markets.
Articles by Mark Johnston
Operational Risk
China Revamps Liability Insurance Rules for Accounting Firms
03/09/2026
New rules will double the minimum professional liability coverage for auditors of public-interest entities to enhance investor protection.
Anti-Bribery & Corruption
China Consults on Draft Anti-Transnational Corruption Law
03/09/2026
The proposed law would establish a national anti-corruption mechanism and impose new compliance obligations on companies operating overseas.
Supervision & Enforcement
China Intensifies Brokerage Crackdown with Full-Chain Accountability
03/09/2026
Regulators have issued nearly 200 penalties this year, targeting failures in due diligence and account management, with enforcement now extending to senior managers.
Trading & Investment
China Regulators Grant $6.8 Billion in New QDII Quotas
02/09/2026
SAFE approved the largest batch of outbound investment quotas since 2021, in line with stated plans to move to more regular issuances.
Market Risk
China Adopts DR Benchmark in Major Loan Pricing Reform
02/09/2026
Lenders have begun pricing loans and bonds off short-term repo rates, marking a shift to a dual-benchmark system.
Cryptocurrency
Korea Plans New Statutory Body for Crypto Regulation
02/09/2026
New legally-recognised association will absorb functions from the DAXA as part of second-phase digital asset legislation.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Korea to Offer Leniency to Voice Phishing Whistleblowers
02/09/2026
New law will grant reduced or exempted sentences to voice phishing insiders who cooperate with authorities to help dismantle criminal organisations.
Credit Risk
China Unveils Sweeping Property Reforms, Tightening Presale Financing
31/08/2026
New rules delay mortgage disbursement until project completion, promote completed-home sales, and extend financing channels for developers.
Structural Regulation
Shanghai Financial Court Issues Guidance on Cross-Border Disputes
28/08/2026
The court has released an 18-point opinion clarifying judicial rules for offshore finance, cross-border transactions, and other key growth areas.
Resolution & Recovery
China's Draft Bankruptcy Law to Enhance Restructuring, Cross-Border Rules
28/08/2026
A second draft of the Enterprise Bankruptcy Law introduces pre-restructuring negotiation mechanisms and refines rules on cross-border insolvency and payment priorities.
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
An exclusive weekly selection of top stories from the Regulation Asia editorial team.