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
AI Risk & Governance
China Issues Security Guidelines for AI Agent Deployment
04/07/2026
The new practice guide from national standards body TC260 provides a lifecycle framework for managing the risks of using intelligent agents in organisations.
Market Abuse
Korea Cracks Down on Crypto Manipulation, Refers 'Whale' Cases to Prosecutors
04/07/2026
The FSC is leveraging new powers under the Virtual Asset User Protection Act to tackle cross-border and algorithmic manipulation schemes.
Anti-Money Laundering
China Jails Five in USD 29.4 Million Crypto-Linked Forex Scheme
03/07/2026
A Shanghai court has imposed prison sentences for an illegal currency exchange operation that used cryptocurrency to bypass the nation’s strict capital controls.
Cloud & Infrastructure
China Issues New Rules to Drive Digitalisation of Financial Shared Services
03/07/2026
The new management accounting guidelines aim to standardise operations, enhance data governance, and promote the use of AI and big data.
Structural Regulation
China Toughens Penalties for Accounting Fraud in Major Law Overhaul
02/07/2026
The revised law doubles maximum fines for fraudulent reports, introduces lifetime bans, and extends liability to clients who collude with auditors.
PEPs & Sanctions
China Expands Export Controls on Japanese Defence and Tech Firms
02/07/2026
China has added 40 more entities to its trade restriction lists, citing Japan’s "remilitarisation" and escalating a regulatory tit-for-tat between the two nations.
Trading & Investment
China to Launch Sulphur Futures in Response to Price Volatility
02/07/2026
The new contracts are designed to provide a hedging tool for industry and enhance China’s pricing power for the key commodity.
Credit Risk
Asset Managers Reviewing China Bond Holdings Amid Ratings Scrutiny
02/07/2026
Regulators are tightening standards for top-rated corporate bonds, prompting asset managers to reassess their holdings for potential downgrade risks.
Supervision & Enforcement
Futu Holdings Faces Investor Lawsuit Over China Regulatory Breaches
02/07/2026
The online brokerage is accused of misleading investors by operating in mainland China without proper licences, leading to significant proposed penalties.
Structural Regulation
PBOC Proposes Rule Amendments to Enhance Transparency of NCD Market
01/07/2026
PBOC is seeking feedback on revised rules for negotiable certificates of deposit to enhance macro-prudential management and market transparency.
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