Mark Johnston

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    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

    Conduct, Culture & Accountability

    Taiwan Expands Consumer Protection Rules to More Leasing Firms

    05/08/2026

    The FSC will bring another 12 finance and leasing companies under its consumer protection framework, continuing a phased effort to regulate the sector.

    CBDCs

    China and Malaysia Test e-CNY in Cross-Border Trade Settlement

    04/08/2026

    A durian shipment paid for with e-CNY highlights China's progress in building alternative payment corridors.

    Structural Regulation

    China Proposes 'One Person, One Code' for Interbank Market Traders

    04/08/2026

    NAFMII has proposed a mandatory registration system that will assign a unique identity code to every trader.

    Market Abuse

    China Jails Quant Fund Staff in Landmark Illegal Stock Lending Case

    04/08/2026

    A Shanghai court has handed down prison sentences and fines to a quantitative hedge fund and its staff for illegal securities lending activities.

    Conduct, Culture & Accountability

    China Issues New Rules to Bolster Financial Institution Governance

    04/08/2026

    Four top regulators have jointly released 22 measures targeting shareholder conduct, remuneration, risk management, and regulatory oversight to be implemented by 2029.

    Structural Regulation

    Korea Proposes New Cornerstone Investor and Book-Building Rules for IPOs

    04/08/2026

    The FSC has detailed new rules for cornerstone investors and preliminary book-building, which will take effect from November.

    Emerging Prudential Risks

    Korea Brings All Electronic Financial Service Providers Under Conglomerate Rules

    04/08/2026

    The FSC has amended rules to bring all electronic financial service providers, regardless of industry classification, under group-level risk management.

    Clearing & Post-Trade

    China Mandates OTC Derivatives Reporting to New Trade Repository

    03/08/2026

    FIs face a 7 August deadline to report all over-the-counter derivative trades retrospectively to 1 January 2023 to a new central data repository.

    Cybersecurity

    China Proposes Security Rules for AI Agents and Browsers

    03/08/2026

    New draft guidelines from China's cybersecurity standards body outline security, risk management, and data protection requirements for AI-powered services.

    Market Risk

    Taiwan Acts to Calm Nerves After TWD 62 Billion Wipe-Out

    03/08/2026

    Following a sharp two-day sell-off, authorities have clarified margin call rules and say stabilisation measures are ready if needed.

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