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
Trading & Investment
China Kicks Off Fund Benchmark Overhaul with First Batch of 195 Funds
05/05/2026
The first of four planned waves sees twelve firms revise fund contracts, linking manager pay more closely to benchmark performance.
Anti-Money Laundering
South Korean Court Halts Bithumb's Six-Month Business Suspension
05/05/2026
A Seoul court has granted an injunction against a partial business ban, escalating a legal battle between regulators and major cryptocurrency exchanges over AML rules.
Conduct, Culture & Accountability
China Requiring Brokers to Defer Larger Proportion of Bonuses
05/05/2026
Regulators have instructed securities firms to withhold a larger portion of performance pay for senior staff, amid a crackdown on excessive short-term incentives.
Structural Regulation
Taiwan Relaxes Application Rules for Opening New Bank Branches
04/05/2026
Regulators have outlined the financial benchmarks and policy incentives for financial institutions seeking to expand their domestic branch networks this year.
Cryptocurrency
Taiwan Lawmaker Urges Government to Consider Bitcoin Reserves
04/05/2026
A report advocating for Bitcoin as a strategic asset has been formally presented to Taiwan’s premier and central bank governor.
Stablecoins
Woori Bank and MoonPay Partner on Won-Backed Stablecoin
04/05/2026
Crypto payments firm MoonPay signed an MOU with one of Korea’s largest banks to build global infrastructure for KRW-denominated stablecoins.
Cybersecurity
Korea's FSS to Intensify Cyber Drills, Introduce AI Red Teaming
04/05/2026
Regulators will double the frequency of unannounced mock hacking exercises and introduce new tests for vulnerabilities in generative AI services.
Structural Regulation
Korea Exchange to Compensate Investors After Listing Status Error
04/05/2026
KRX has begun accepting claims and is institutionalising an external committee after a mistaken announcement caused significant investor losses.
Credit Risk
China Expands Lending Programme for Tech Innovation and Equipment Upgrades
04/05/2026
China’s key financial authorities have expanded a re-lending programme to include R&D-intensive SMEs and new sectors like artificial intelligence.
Anti-Bribery & Corruption
Former China Insurance Regulator Ren Chunsheng Jailed for Bribery
03/05/2026
A former insurance regulator has been sentenced after being found guilty of accepting a 'particularly huge' amount in bribes.
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