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
Cybersecurity
China Proposes Sweeping Cybersecurity Rules for Financial Sector
08/07/2026
Draft measures aim to unify cybersecurity standards, protect data, and introduce heightened obligations for critical infrastructure operators.
Credit Risk
China Takes Over Zhongbang Bank Citing ‘Severe Credit Risks’
08/07/2026
The move marks a significant step by China’s top financial regulator to address vulnerabilities in the country’s smaller regional lenders.
Structural Regulation
Shanghai, Shenzhen Exchanges Propose Major Refinancing Reforms
08/07/2026
New draft rules introduce a shelf registration system and tighten private placement requirements for listed companies.
Cybersecurity
Alibaba to Ban Anthropic AI Tools Amid Data Theft Claims
07/07/2026
The move follows allegations of a ‘distillation attack’ and the discovery of hidden tracking code in Anthropic’s Claude AI models.
Structural Regulation
China Proposes Overhaul of Refinancing Rules for Listed Firms
07/07/2026
The proposals aim to improve financing efficiency through shelf registration, optimised pricing, and revised lock-up period requirements for listed companies.
Credit Risk
China: Wanda Ordered to Pay Suning CNY 1.75 Billion Over Failed IPO
07/07/2026
A court has ruled in favour of retailer Suning.com in a long-running dispute stemming from a 2018 strategic investment.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Fugitive Chinese Tycoon Jailed for 30 Years Over Billion Dollar Fraud
07/07/2026
A New York court has sentenced Guo Wengui for orchestrating a massive fraud scheme that targeted his online followers.
Supervision & Enforcement
Alibaba and Ant Group Unit to Pay USD 600 Million in US Settlement
06/07/2026
The settlement resolves a US probe into the sale of illegal pharmaceuticals and other prohibited goods via the firm’s e-commerce platforms.
Market Abuse
US Probes Alleged Insider Trading Ahead of China Broker Crackdown
06/07/2026
A court filing alleges unknown traders illicitly profited by over USD 100 million from options bets placed just before Beijing announced penalties against Futu and Tiger Brokers.
AI Risk & Governance
China Issues Security Guidelines for AI Agent Deployment
04/07/2026
The new practice guide from national standards body TC260 provides a lifecycle framework for managing the risks of using intelligent agents in organisations.
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