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
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
South Korea Bolsters Fight Against Illegal Predatory Lending
01/05/2026
Regulators have amended reporting rules and expanded powers to block phone numbers used by illicit lenders, building on a new one-stop support system for victims.
Cybersecurity
Korea Urges Banks to Boost Security Investment Amid AI Threats
30/04/2026
The FSS governor has warned of emerging cyber threats from AI models as the country relaxes long-standing network separation rules for financial firms.
Supervision & Enforcement
CSRC Issues First Penalty Under New Overseas Listing Rules
30/04/2026
China's securities regulator has penalised a company and its advisers for an unauthorised US listing, signalling stricter enforcement of its 2023 filing regime.
Structural Regulation
China Proposes First Major Overhaul of State-Owned Enterprise Asset Law
30/04/2026
A draft revision aims to modernise corporate governance, strengthen supervision, and bring government investment funds under the law's scope for the first time.
Liquidity Risk
China Lengthens Approval Times for Offshore Debt Issuance - Report
29/04/2026
China's state planner is extending approval times for foreign borrowings, creating refinancing uncertainty as around USD 100 billion of offshore bonds come due.
Trade Based Money Laundering
China Tax Crackdown on Metals Traders Disrupts Market
29/04/2026
An intensified probe into fraudulent invoicing has led to severe quota cuts, a sharp drop in trading volumes, and operational pauses for many firms.
AI Risk & Governance
China to Require Approval for US Investment in Tech Firms - Reports
29/04/2026
Regulators will restrict US capital in sensitive tech sectors without explicit government approval, a policy prompted by Meta’s now-blocked acquisition of AI startup Manus.
Credit Risk
China to Meet Credit Rating Firms Over Quality Concerns
28/04/2026
Regulators have urged rating agencies to address inflated ratings and weak risk warnings, highlighting systemic issues in the domestic bond market.
Trading & Investment
China Expands Southbound ETF Connect with Eight New Funds
28/04/2026
The expansion brings the total number of eligible ETFs to 31 and introduces the first fund offering mainland investors access to Korean technology stocks.
Supervision & Enforcement
Korea Unveils Plan to ‘Expel’ Repeat Cartel Offenders
28/04/2026
The KFTC announced a plan to combat corporate collusion with tougher sanctions, including business suspensions, executive ousters, and significantly increased fines.
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