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
Market Infrastructure
China’s Revised Cyber Law Enters into Force with Stricter AI, Penalty Rules
02/01/2026
Financial institutions face fines of up to CNY 10 million under a new tiered penalty regime effective 1 January.
Securities / Derivatives
China Expands REITs Market with Commercial Property Pilot
02/01/2026
Regulators roll out a unified framework to activate commercial assets, with exchanges streamlining review processes and waiving fees to boost participation.
Securities / Derivatives
SEBI Mandates NISM Certification for AIF Compliance Officers
02/01/2026
SEBI aims to raise professional standards amid rapid growth in the alternative investment fund sector.
ESG / Sustainability
Korea to Expand Gender Pay Gap Disclosures for Investment Firms
02/01/2026
KOFIA will require major securities firms and asset management companies to disclose gender and position-based compensation data from January.
Capital / Liquidity
China Opens Consultation on Revisions to Banking Supervision Law
02/01/2026
Draft law extends supervision to actual controllers and significantly raises fines to tackle risks from the 'hollowing out' of banks.
Securities / Derivatives
KRX Expands Corporate Governance Reporting Requirements
31/12/2025
The regulator will inspect shareholder meeting notices and dividend policies as mandatory disclosure requirements extend to all KOSPI-listed companies.
Fintech / Regtech
Korea: KSD and KRX Launch Real-Time Securities Data Sharing System
31/12/2025
The KSD and KRX have operationalised the first phase of a joint project to standardise issuance and distribution data, aiming to eliminate manual processing inefficiencies.
ESG / Sustainability
Korea to Expand Stewardship Code, Mandate Compliance Checks
31/12/2025
Regulators will introduce phased-in compliance reviews and centralise disclosure to bolster institutional investors' fulfilment of their fiduciary duties.
Securities / Derivatives
KRX to Exclude Top 100 Stocks from Future 'Investment Warning' Label
30/12/2025
KRX has revised market surveillance rules to exclude top 100 large-cap stocks from investment warning designations effective 29 December.
Enforcement
FSS Korea Fines Major Lenders for Procedural Breaches in High-Risk Product Sales
30/12/2025
The FSS sanctioned KB Kookmin, Hana and Shinhan banks for failing to record contracts or verify investor understanding.
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
A daily selection of top stories from the Regulation Asia editorial team