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
Cambodia Raids Properties Linked to Scam Kingpin Chen Zhi
25/05/2026
The raids are part of a widening international crackdown on the billionaire's alleged scam empire, which has seen assets frozen in Hong Kong and sanctions from the US and UK.
AI Risk & Governance
China Issues New Ethics and Safety Guidelines for AI
25/05/2026
China's national cybersecurity standardisation body has released a technical document outlining principles for the safe and ethical development and use of AI applications.
Credit Risk
China Directs Banks to Boost Lending for Small Businesses
25/05/2026
The NFRA has issued new guidelines for 2026, telling banks and insurers to improve credit supply and services for SMEs and private enterprises.
Liquidity Risk
Korea Proposes Overhaul of Liquidity Rules for Securities Firms
25/05/2026
The new framework expands existing liquidity ratio rules to all firms and introduces a new, more sophisticated crisis-adjusted ratio with haircuts.
CBDCs
BOK Advances Deposit Token Pilot with KRW 1.7 Billion Consulting Project
25/05/2026
The central bank is accelerating its CBDC-based deposit token pilot with a major consulting project, moving ahead while stablecoin legislation remains stalled.
Cybersecurity
Korea Expands Bug Bounty Programme to Crypto, Insurance Firms
25/05/2026
The annual programme has more than doubled its scope to include 70 firms, with rewards of up to KRW 10 million per vulnerability.
Tokenisation
Pakistan Explores Tokenisation of Sovereign Bonds
24/05/2026
The finance ministry, central bank, and new virtual asset regulator are coordinating on a plan to issue government debt on a regulated blockchain.
Anti-Money Laundering
Nepal Faces Blacklist Warning Amid Slow AML Reforms
23/05/2026
APG delegation reportedly warned Nepal that its “disappointing” progress on AML reforms risks a downgrade from the grey list to the blacklist.
Structural Regulation
Schroders to Exit Wholly-Owned China Fund Business
22/05/2026
The UK asset manager is transferring its onshore mutual funds to Neuberger Berman and seeking a buyer for its licence.
Supervision & Enforcement
Korea’s FSS Probes IBK Securities Over Real Estate Fund Losses
22/05/2026
The investigation follows investor complaints of mis-selling after several private real estate funds and bonds incurred significant or total losses amid a market downturn.
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