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
Fintech / Regtech
S. Korea Considers E-commerce Sales, User Reviews for SME Credit Scoring
26/08/2025
The FSC is planning to a create a new model incorporating alternative data from platforms like Naver and Coupang to improve lending access for small firms.
Enforcement
Taiwan Court Quashes Ex-Mega Financial Chairman’s Forgery Conviction
26/08/2025
Mckinney Tsai’s conviction, linked to a 2016 AML penalty against Mega's New York branch, was overturned due to a lack of evidence.
AML / KYC
Taiwan Prosecutors Charge 14 in Crypto Laundering Case
25/08/2025
Prosecutors have charged individuals linked to the CoinW and BitShine exchanges in Taiwan's largest-ever crypto laundering and fraud case.
AML / KYC
South Korea Uncovers KRW 137B Illegal Foreign Exchange Ring
25/08/2025
South Korea's customs agency has apprehended ten individuals accused of siphoning money abroad illegally.
ESG / Sustainability
South Korea Details Major Regulatory Overhaul, KRW 100 Trillion Fund in AI Push
25/08/2025
The new economic strategy will relax criminal liabilities for “well-meaning business owners” while strengthening civil and monetary liabilities.
Securities / Derivatives
CSRC Issues New Online Marketing Rules for Futures Firms
25/08/2025
The new rules tighten oversight of online marketing by futures companies, aiming to curb misconduct and enhance investor safeguards.
Market Infrastructure
China Proposes Major Overhaul of Interbank FX Market Rules
25/08/2025
New draft regulations aim to strengthen comprehensive supervision, clarify market access for institutions and modernise a framework dating back to 1996.
Fintech / Regtech
Australian Banks Challenge RBA Over Card Fee Overhaul
25/08/2025
The RBA is facing resistance from major banks over its proposed payments system reforms, as concerns shift from interchange fees to opaque scheme charges.
Korea to Require Disclosure of Preferential Rate Conditions for Mortgages
25/08/2025
Regulators to add housing loan discount criteria to the official comparison portal amid complaints over bundling and opaque pricing.
Securities / Derivatives
CSRC Finalises Changes to Classification Framework for Securities Firms
25/08/2025
Revised framework adds 'functional performance' to ratings, expands bonus points for smaller firms, and toughens penalties for major violations.
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