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
Credit Risk
FSS Korea Warns of Total Loss Risk in Overseas Real Estate Funds
13/08/2026
The regulator has highlighted risks from high leverage, cash traps, and illiquidity, warning that even minor property price drops can wipe out principal.
Credit Risk
Beijing Eases Property Curbs, Expands Housing Fund Support
13/08/2026
Authorities have lowered purchase thresholds for non-residents and significantly increased the maximum value of housing provident fund loans.
Payments & Settlements
PBOC Appoints Deutsche Bank as First RMB Clearing Bank in Europe
13/08/2026
The appointment makes Deutsche Bank the first European bank to hold the designation, aiming to improve China-Europe financial connectivity.
Market Risk
China Brokers Tighten Curbs on Leveraged Trading: Reports
12/08/2026
Brokerages are said to be raising compliance checks for margin finance and options trading, though some firms have denied any changes.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Japan Demands Social Media Giants Tackle Impersonation Ad Fraud
12/08/2026
Seven government agencies have jointly ordered Google, Meta and others to verify advertisers and report on compliance amid soaring online investment fraud losses.
Trading & Investment
Korea to Mandate Mock Trading for Single-Stock Leveraged ETFs
12/08/2026
The new rule, effective 19 August, requires first-time retail investors to complete a five-day course before trading the high-risk products.
Emerging Prudential Risks
PBOC Unveils Five-Year Plan to Boost Global Yuan, Digital Currency
12/08/2026
The plan focuses on RMB internationalisation and financial opening-up, while embedding the interest-bearing e-CNY and mBridge platform into national infrastructure.
Data Privacy
China Proposes New Rules for Large-Scale Data Processors
12/08/2026
The draft rules would require firms handling data on over 10 million users to establish external-led oversight committees and appoint senior-level data protection officers.
Stablecoins
SBI and Nodeinfra to Build Japan-Korea Stablecoin Payment Rail
12/08/2026
The project will use the Canton Network to enable direct, atomically-settled payments, bypassing the US dollar in the busy trade corridor.
Trading & Investment
BOK to Overhaul Monetary Stabilisation Bond Framework
12/08/2026
The central bank will extend issuance periods, increase redemption frequency, and introduce benchmark securities to improve secondary market liquidity.
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