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
Capital Adequacy
Korea Proposes Steep Hike in Insurer Deposit Premiums
03/08/2026
Regulators are seeking to raise deposit insurance rates for the first time in 17 years, with non-life insurers facing a potential threefold increase.
Climate Risk
China Unveils 15th Five-Year Climate Plan, Signals Carbon Market Expansion
03/08/2026
The plan sets new emissions targets and outlines a significant expansion of the national carbon market to include new sectors and financial institutions.
Liquidity Risk
China Simplifies Rules for Domestic Foreign Exchange Loans
03/08/2026
SAFE has issued new rules to streamline account management and FX conversion for domestic foreign exchange loans.
Market Data & Technology
China Exchanges End Low-Latency Access for Quant Funds
03/08/2026
The move will scrap co-location advantages by mandating a switch to slower network connections with a minimum latency requirement.
Data Privacy
China Issues Framework to Unlock Data for Sci-Tech Finance
03/08/2026
Nine departments have released a national data catalogue and will pilot trusted data spaces to improve financing for technology companies.
Market Abuse
China Overhauls Insider Trading Rules, Tightening Defences
01/08/2026
The revision raises monetary thresholds for prosecution but significantly tightens legal defences and expands the definition of the 'sensitive period'.
Credit Risk
Taiwan Approves First Banks for IRB Approach to Credit Risk
31/07/2026
The move allows seven major banks to use their own models to calculate capital, subject to a transitional output floor.
Market Data & Technology
Japan to Expand Corporate Bond Trade Disclosure to Boost Transparency
31/07/2026
The move will increase the proportion of disclosed trades to nearly 90 percent of issues, aiming to vitalise the secondary market.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
China to Launch Global Alliance Against Online and Telecoms Fraud
30/07/2026
The intergovernmental body aims to formalise intelligence sharing and joint operations, with over 40 countries already expressing interest in joining the initiative.
Tokenisation
Korea: POSCO, LG CNS Trial Blockchain for Trade Finance Using Live Invoices
29/07/2026
The PoC with South Korea’s largest trading company used the Injective public blockchain to tokenise real commercial receivables and automate document checks.
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