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
Securities / Derivatives
Shanghai Rolls Out 18-point Roadmap to Cement Global Metals Pricing Influence
28/01/2026
Authorities in China’s financial hub unveil measures to integrate futures and spot markets, aiming to align pricing power with the nation’s dominance in production and consumption.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Korea Prosecutors Lose KRW 70b in Seized Bitcoin to Phishing
28/01/2026
Incident highlights custodial risks for digital assets amid recent Supreme Court ruling classifying crypto as seizeable ‘electronic property’.
Fintech / Regtech
Korea Expands Corporate Public MyData to Streamline Financial Compliance
27/01/2026
Seoul digitises corporate record-sharing, allowing firms to transmit tax and financial data directly to banks, cutting compliance costs.
AML / KYC
Taiwan Cabinet Approves WMD, Counter-Terror Law Amendments
27/01/2026
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan has approved amendments expanding counter-terrorism laws to include WMD proliferation and increase reporting obligations for financial institutions.
Enforcement
Korea’s FSS Initiates Sanction Proceedings Against Stonebridge Capital
27/01/2026
The regulator has issued an inspection opinion letter to the private equity firm, casting doubt over its current fundraising targets.
Fintech / Regtech
FSC Proposes Family Cards for Minors, Digital Merchant Verification
26/01/2026
FSC launches consultation on amendments to the Specialised Credit Finance Business Act, targeting March 2026 for implementation.
Securities / Derivatives
China Weighs CNY 30b Threshold for HK Listings to Curb Quality Concerns
26/01/2026
China is considering raising compliance bars, including a minimum market capitalisation, to stem a flood of low-quality offshore IPO applications.
Securities / Derivatives
Taiwan FSC Digitises Buyback Reporting, Extends Disclosure History
26/01/2026
FSC shifts compliance to MOPS and requires five-year repurchase history, effective May 2026 to allow preparation.
Securities / Derivatives
China Extends Tax Incentives for Innovative Firms' CDR Pilot to End 2027
26/01/2026
Authorities renew preferential treatment for individual and institutional investors, including QFIIs and public funds, to support the domestic depositary receipt programme.
China NFRA Overhauls Licensing Rules With New Digital-first Framework
26/01/2026
New regulations taking effect 1 March mandate electronic filings, clarify review hierarchies and set strict penalty timelines for market entry and personnel approvals.
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