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
Australia Issues Licensing Guidance for Employee Entitlement Schemes
20/02/2026
Operators must apply for a licence by 1 September and will face new governance and disclosure rules under a transitional framework.
AML / KYC
Philippines Identifies Cybercrime and Swindling as Top Illicit Finance Threats
19/02/2026
STR analysis identifies the US, Australia, and the UK as the top source countries for inward remittances tied to child exploitation.
ESG / Sustainability
China Mandates Sweeping Financial Support for Rural Revitalisation
18/02/2026
Regulators have detailed a permanent mechanism using credit, capital markets, and insurance to prevent poverty and boost underdeveloped regions.
Securities / Derivatives
UK Proposes to Ease Audit Rules for Chinese GDR Listings
18/02/2026
The UK's FRC has proposed a temporary rule change to allow auditors of certain Chinese firms to use local standards for London listings.
Securities / Derivatives
Taiwan: TDCC to Enhance Cross-Border Proxy Voting Efficiency
18/02/2026
The TDCC has formed a new partnership with UK-based Proxymity to streamline cross-border proxy voting for foreign investors.
Capital / Liquidity
Korea Launches Probe into Loan Extensions for Multiple-Home Owners
17/02/2026
Regulators have formed a task force to inspect lending practices following criticism from the president about the use of credit for property speculation.
Securities / Derivatives
Korean Lamakers Clash Over Mandatory Treasury Share Cancellation Bill
17/02/2026
The Democratic Party is fast-tracking a bill to boost shareholder value, but the government and opposition warn it could leave firms defenceless against hostile takeovers.
Securities / Derivatives
China Curbs High-Leverage Gold Trading After Platform Collapses
17/02/2026
Shenzhen has banned quasi-futures gold schemes after the failure of a platform involving CNY 13.3 billion left investors facing steep losses.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Korea to Impose Bank-Grade Controls on Crypto Exchanges After Bithumb Error
17/02/2026
A USD 40 billion Bitcoin misallocation at Bithumb has triggered a regulatory overhaul, with authorities now demanding compliance on par with traditional banks.
AML / KYC
Taiwan Proposes Stricter Bank Account Rules to Combat Fraud
17/02/2026
Draft rules expand suspicious account definitions, empower banks to refuse transactions, and allow direct notification to prosecutors for urgent cases.
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