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
Supervision & Enforcement
China MOF Drafts New Guidelines to Standardise Administrative Penalties
30/06/2026
New draft guidelines introduce a detailed quantitative framework and discretionary tiers to increase transparency and consistency in financial and accounting supervision.
Payments & Settlements
China Appoints ICBC, Standard Bank as Joint RMB Clearing Bank for Africa
30/06/2026
The move establishes the first continent-wide renminbi clearing arrangement, a significant step in promoting the yuan’s international use and deepening China-Africa financial ties.
Trading & Investment
Brazil to Issue Landmark Sovereign Panda Bonds in China
30/06/2026
The planned CNY 5 billion issuance marks the first by a Latin American sovereign, signalling deepening financial ties and the growing appeal of China’s onshore debt market.
Data Privacy
Korea Fines Bithumb for Cross-Border Data Violations
30/06/2026
The KRW 210 million penalty comes with new privacy guidelines for the blockchain industry, signalling heightened scrutiny of data handling practices.
PEPs & Sanctions
China Bolsters Export Controls With Whistleblower System
30/06/2026
New measures to enforce controls on strategic minerals come as two Japanese nationals are detained for alleged smuggling of rare earths.
Credit Risk
China Pushes Rating Agencies to Curb 'AAA' Bond Rating Glut
29/06/2026
Regulators are introducing new metrics to tackle rampant rating inflation, a move that could raise borrowing costs for some Chinese firms.
Supervision & Enforcement
China Audit Uncovers Widespread Misconduct at Top State Banks
29/06/2026
Annual government audit reveals significant compliance failures, including billions in tax evasion and improper lending, at some of the nation’s largest banks.
Liquidity Risk
PBOC Set to Debut New Overnight Repo Tool for Liquidity Management
29/06/2026
The central bank will introduce a new tool to manage short-term liquidity, signalling a potential move towards an overnight policy rate.
Trading & Investment
KRX Halts Launch of New Weekly Options Amid Extreme Volatility
29/06/2026
The abrupt postponement comes as regulators clash over high-risk products and extreme market volatility, fueling investor confusion and triggering a high-level audit.
Anti-Money Laundering
Korean Banks Review Partnerships With Domestic Crypto Exchanges
29/06/2026
Lenders are conducting AML audits as mandatory real-name account contracts come up for renewal, with market leader Upbit's partnership undecided.
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