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
Capital / Liquidity
China Mandates 'All-In' Cost Disclosure to Combat Predatory Personal Loans
17/03/2026
New rules from the NFRA and PBOC will force lenders to reveal the total annualised cost of loans, ending hidden fees.
Securities / Derivatives
China Overhauls Fund Disclosure Rules to Emphasise Long-Term Value
17/03/2026
New CSRC guidelines mandate the disclosure of investor profitability ratios and stock turnover rates to tackle short-termism.
Capital / Liquidity
China Considers Tighter Deposit Rules as Rate Cuts and Inversions Spread
17/03/2026
Regulators may tighten rules on certain deposits as banks aggressively cut rates to protect margins, with long-term rates now falling below short-term ones.
Securities / Derivatives
Korea's IBK Drives KOSDAQ Reform with Dual-Track Push
17/03/2026
IBK and the Korea Venture Capital Association are separately mobilising capital and lobbying for structural reform to revitalise the KOSDAQ market.
Securities / Derivatives
Korea FSS Urges Brokers to Tighten Illegal Short Selling Controls
17/03/2026
The FSS has told securities firms to strengthen internal controls and systems management amid fears of market disruption.
Securities / Derivatives
Korea FSC Names Managers for New Public-Private Growth Fund
16/03/2026
Mirae, Samsung, and KB Asset Management will raise retail capital for a new fund targeting advanced strategic industries.
Enforcement
Macau Regulator Opens Probe into Alleged Fraud at Local Bank
16/03/2026
The AMCM is investigating a local bank after a lawmaker filed a complaint alleging MOP 208 million in client losses.
Enforcement
Korean Privacy Regulator Fines Lotte Card Over Data Breach
16/03/2026
The penalty follows a probe that found the firm illegally processed customer data and failed to implement adequate security measures.
Crypto / Digital Assets
South Korea Passes Law to Protect Crypto Scam Victims
15/03/2026
The National Assembly has amended legislation requiring virtual asset exchanges to monitor suspicious transactions and compensate victims of digital financial crimes by October.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Korea Consults Brokers on Use of Stablecoins in STO Settlement
13/03/2026
Financial authorities in South Korea are urgently collecting regulatory feedback from securities firms regarding the use of stablecoins within the token securities market.
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