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
Bank of Korea Unveils 'World First ‘Sovereign’ AI Platform
25/01/2026
BOK's in-house LLM is a test case for data security, sovereignty, and reforming Korea's strict network separation rules.
Enforcement
South Korea’s FTC Fines Major Banks KRW 272 billion for LTV Collusion
23/01/2026
KFTC ruled that four lenders exchanged sensitive information to restrict competition in the secured loan market, prompting legal challenges.
Fintech / Regtech
Korea Proposes Stricter Oversight of Electronic Payment Agents and Fee Disclosures
23/01/2026
The FSC aims to dismantle multi-level payment structures and enhance merchant fee transparency through targeted regulatory amendments.
Enforcement
PBOC Fines Yinsheng Payment in Signal of Continued Sector Scrutiny
22/01/2026
Yinsheng Payment has been fined over CNY 15 million, its third major penalty, signalling continued strict supervision of China's payments sector.
Fintech / Regtech
Taiwan Proposes Expanding Outsourcing Scope for Bank Trade Finance Operations
22/01/2026
The regulator aims to boost efficiency by allowing L/C examination to be outsourced, but only to intra-group entities.
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.
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