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
Structural Regulation
PBOC Proposes Blacklist for ‘Seriously Dishonest’ Financial Firms
20/05/2026
China’s central bank has drafted rules for a new blacklist targeting serious misconduct in payments, credit reporting, and other regulated areas.
Structural Regulation
China Sets New Capital and Conduct Rules for Derivatives Dealers
20/05/2026
New measures establish a CNY 500 million net capital floor for dealers, introduce suitability and real-name account rules, and clarify the regulatory framework.
Reporting & Disclosures
Shenzhen Exchange to Revamp ChiNext Indices, Adds ESG Screen
20/05/2026
The move will create a new tiered system of large, mid and small-cap indices and introduce new exclusion rules for ESG and risk-flagged stocks.
Anti-Bribery & Corruption
Chinese Investors Call on Indonesia to Improve Investment Climate
20/05/2026
A key issue is a planned regulation that would require natural resource exporters to retain 50 percent of their foreign exchange earnings in Indonesian state-owned banks.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Myanmar Proposes Death Penalty in New Anti-Scam Legislation
19/05/2026
The draft law targets operators of online fraud centres with severe penalties, including capital punishment, amid growing international pressure to crack down on the illicit industry.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Korea Eyes Undercover Operations, Leniency Programmes to Combat Fraud
19/05/2026
Lawmakers are fast-tracking new legislation as indictments for voice phishing and other scams skyrocket, with nearly 5,000 suspects charged in early 2026 alone.
Structural Regulation
Taiwan FSC Eases Rules on Related-Party Trades for Asset Managers
19/05/2026
The regulator will permit discretionary managers to trade with related parties for professional and high-net-worth clients.
Cybersecurity
Korea Forms Joint Taskforce to Counter AI Cyber Threats
19/05/2026
The move follows growing concern over AI-powered hacking, with a new inter-agency team set to coordinate national cybersecurity responses across the public and private sectors.
DeFi & Web3
Korea Financial Security Institute to Launch Smart Contract Security Framework
18/05/2026
The FSI is developing verification tools, a formal framework, and training programmes ahead of new digital asset legislation.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Taiwan Lawmakers Call for Reform of Anti-Fraud ‘Warning Account’ System
18/05/2026
Politicians say the system, which can freeze accounts for five years, unfairly penalises innocent individuals caught in fraud investigations without a path for redress.
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