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
Crypto / Digital Assets
Korea to Impose Bank-Grade Controls on Crypto Exchanges After Bithumb Error
17/02/2026
A USD 40 billion Bitcoin misallocation at Bithumb has triggered a regulatory overhaul, with authorities now demanding compliance on par with traditional banks.
AML / KYC
Taiwan Proposes Stricter Bank Account Rules to Combat Fraud
17/02/2026
Draft rules expand suspicious account definitions, empower banks to refuse transactions, and allow direct notification to prosecutors for urgent cases.
Capital / Liquidity
Nepal Unveils Employment-linked Financing Strategy Ahead of 2026
16/02/2026
The integrated framework proposes replacing sectoral lending quotas with employment-linked incentives and modernising insolvency laws to mobilise private capital for sustainable growth.
AML / KYC
BOT Drafts Stricter Rules for Cash Transactions to Curb Financial Crime
16/02/2026
The BOT is consulting on new rules requiring identity verification for cash deposits and withdrawals to combat illicit financial flows.
Enforcement
Thailand's AMLO Seeks Forfeiture of THB 13b in Scam-Linked Assets
16/02/2026
AMLO moves to forfeit assets across four major fraud cases tied to Cambodia-based criminal networks and their Thai associates.
Enforcement
FSS Imposes KRW 1.4T in Fines on Five Banks for ELS Mis-Selling
16/02/2026
South Korea's FSS reduced penalties from an initial KRW 1.9 trillion, lowering both fines and institutional sanctions after a third sanctions review hearing.
Fintech / Regtech
Philippines Moves to Cap Digital Reach of Rural Banks
16/02/2026
Accounts held by customers with registered addresses outside a rural bank's head office and branch locations will not be permitted to exceed 30 percent of total customer accounts.
Securities / Derivatives
South Korea Overhauls Delisting Rules to Purge ‘Zombie’ Firms
16/02/2026
Regulators will tighten market cap, penny stock, and disclosure rules, and expect the changes to triple the number of delistings.
Securities / Derivatives
SSE Unveils 2026 Action Plan, Pledges CNY 1.1 Billion in Fee Cuts
13/02/2026
The ten-point plan focuses on improving disclosure, ESG standards, and market services while delivering significant cost reductions for participants.
AML / KYC
Korea Proposes Real Estate Watchdog with Warrantless Access to Bank Data
13/02/2026
Financial institutions face new data-sharing obligations under bill creating real estate regulator with powers comparable to securities regulator.
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