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 / Liquidity
FSC Taiwan to Expand Trade Finance Outsourcing Scope to Include LC Reviews
22/01/2026
The FSC plans to allow banks to outsource LC examinations to group affiliates to improve operational efficiency.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Korea Weighs Ending ‘One Exchange, One Bank’ Rule for Crypto
22/01/2026
Regulators aim to restructure the market monopoly by permitting corporate trading accounts and digital asset derivatives under upcoming legislative reforms.
Capital / Liquidity
Korea Proposes Tax Incentives to Encourage Repatriation of Overseas Investments
22/01/2026
South Korea’s MOEF targets June launch for National Growth Fund and introduces temporary tax breaks for repatriating overseas equity assets.
Enforcement
Indonesia: OJK Gains Civil Lawsuit Powers, Deepens Synergy with Prosecutors
21/01/2026
OJK can now sue on behalf of consumers and has renewed a pact with the Attorney General's Office to tackle complex financial crime.
Capital / Liquidity
China Rolls Out CNY 500b Guarantee Scheme and Expanded Loan Subsidies
21/01/2026
The package of measures also imposes stringent new operational and compliance mandates on financial institutions designed to manage risk and prevent arbitrage.
Securities / Derivatives
China Executes Record Expansion of ETF Connect Scheme with 98 New Funds
21/01/2026
The cross-border programme now grants offshore investors access to 364 onshore ETFs, including those tracking the regulator-promoted CSI A500 Index.
Capital / Liquidity
Taiwan Proposes Amendments to Capital Adequacy Rules for Bill Finance Companies
21/01/2026
Taiwan’s FSC drafts changes to align capital calculations with international reporting standards and banking regulations.
Capital / Liquidity
Korea’s Hyundai Card Revives Kimchi Bonds After 15-year Freeze
21/01/2026
Hyundai Card priced a USD 20 million deal after the central bank lifted a ban on local foreign-currency bond investments to support the won.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Stablecoin Potential in Capital Markets Hindered by Regulatory Fragmentation, says ICMA
21/01/2026
new paper highlights convergence on reserve rules but warns that inconsistent global adoption and practical constraints create significant hurdles.
Securities / Derivatives
ASIC Crackdown Secures A$40m in Refunds for Retail CFD Investors
20/01/2026
A regulator's review of 52 issuers found significant compliance breaches, leading to refunds for more than 38,000 retail investors and sector-wide changes.
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