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
Climate Risk
Vietnam, Singapore Deepen Ties on Carbon Credits, Digital Trade
19/08/2026
Vietnam has approved a carbon credit transfer agreement with Singapore, while private firms have partnered on cross-border digital trust infrastructure.
Credit Risk
China Banking Overhaul Sees 670 Rural Lenders Cut in One Year
19/08/2026
The number of financial institutions fell by over 700 in 2025, driven by a regulatory push to consolidate the fragmented rural banking sector.
Climate Risk
China to Add Petrochemicals, Chemicals to National Carbon Market
19/08/2026
The expansion will bring 80 percent of the country's CO2 emissions under the world's largest emissions trading scheme, a senior official has confirmed.
CBDCs
China Expands Digital Yuan Network With Eight New Banks
18/08/2026
The move brings the total number of authorised operators to 30 as the central bank pushes to accelerate e-CNY adoption and service inclusivity.
Market Risk
PBOC Overhauls Monetary Policy Framework, Shifts Focus to Overnight Rate
18/08/2026
The central bank is moving to a more price-based policy framework, establishing a new key interest rate anchor and promoting diversified loan-pricing benchmarks.
Payments & Settlements
China Rolls Out Nationwide Cross-Border Cash Pooling for MNCs
17/08/2026
The new framework offers a lower-threshold option for smaller multinationals, complementing an existing scheme for larger firms and simplifying fund management.
Anti-Money Laundering
Taiwan Regulator Puts Accountants on Notice Over AML Deficiencies
17/08/2026
The FSC revealed that six accounting firms have been penalised so far in 2026 for deficiencies uncovered during on-site AML inspections.
Payments & Settlements
MUFG Pilots On-Chain Settlement for Japanese Government Bond Repos
17/08/2026
The proof-of-concept, supported by the FSA, will test real-time settlement of repo trades using a purpose-built institutional blockchain network.
Cryptocurrency
Taiwan Proposes Crypto AML Rules, Sets Timeline for Travel Rule
17/08/2026
New draft regulations will implement the FATF's Travel Rule in two phases, following the recent enactment of a comprehensive VASP licensing law.
Structural Regulation
China Sets New Rules for Bond Investment Advisory Business
14/08/2026
The self-regulatory rules introduce a 25 percent single-bond concentration limit and new conduct requirements to address risks from the sector’s rapid growth.
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