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
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.
Clearing & Post-Trade
Euroclear Plans to Accept Onshore Chinese Bonds as Collateral
18/05/2026
The proposal would allow bonds traded via Hong Kong’s Bond Connect to be used in settlements, boosting Beijing’s renminbi internationalisation drive.
Data Privacy
Korea Appoints Koscom to Support Public Sector Data Pseudonymisation
18/05/2026
The move comes ahead of new rules taking effect in September requiring public bodies to establish systems for providing pseudonymised data.
Structural Regulation
Citi Tipped to Win China Approval for Wholly Owned Securities Unit
18/05/2026
The CSRC has granted Citigroup a licence for a wholly owned securities business, ending a multi-year application process for the US bank.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Thailand Extradites Alleged Leader of Cybercrime Group to Korea
18/05/2026
The suspect is accused of stealing personal data to drain financial and crypto accounts, with victims including business leaders and K-pop star Jungkook.
Stablecoins
New Digital Asset Legislation Faces Procedural Delay in Korea
18/05/2026
The bill's passage has been pushed to after the 3 June elections, though the delay is not seen as a substantive rejection of the legislation.
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