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
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Taiwan Lawmakers Call for Reform of Anti-Fraud ‘Warning Account’ System
18/05/2026
Politicians say the system, which can freeze accounts for five years, unfairly penalises innocent individuals caught in fraud investigations without a path for redress.
Clearing & Post-Trade
Euroclear Plans to Accept Onshore Chinese Bonds as Collateral
18/05/2026
The proposal would allow bonds traded via Hong Kong’s Bond Connect to be used in settlements, boosting Beijing’s renminbi internationalisation drive.
Data Privacy
Korea Appoints Koscom to Support Public Sector Data Pseudonymisation
18/05/2026
The move comes ahead of new rules taking effect in September requiring public bodies to establish systems for providing pseudonymised data.
Structural Regulation
Citi Tipped to Win China Approval for Wholly Owned Securities Unit
18/05/2026
The CSRC has granted Citigroup a licence for a wholly owned securities business, ending a multi-year application process for the US bank.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Thailand Extradites Alleged Leader of Cybercrime Group to Korea
18/05/2026
The suspect is accused of stealing personal data to drain financial and crypto accounts, with victims including business leaders and K-pop star Jungkook.
Stablecoins
New Digital Asset Legislation Faces Procedural Delay in Korea
18/05/2026
The bill's passage has been pushed to after the 3 June elections, though the delay is not seen as a substantive rejection of the legislation.
Data Privacy
Korean Police Probe Kakao Pay Over Data Transfer to Alipay
15/05/2026
The investigation follows a referral from the FSS, which has already fined Kakao Pay over KRW 12.9 billion for the breaches.
Cybersecurity
Japan Megabanks to Gain Access to Anthropic's Mythos AI to Bolster Cyber Defences
15/05/2026
New public-private working group will develop countermeasures as top banks prepare to use the powerful, restricted cybersecurity model.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Dubai Leads Global Sting on Transnational Crypto Fraud Networks
15/05/2026
A coordinated operation involving the UAE, US, and China has led to the arrest of 276 individuals and the closure of nine scam centres engaged in investment and virtual currency fraud.
Anti-Money Laundering
Korea Arrests Man in KRW 747 Billion Crypto Laundering Case
14/05/2026
A man has been arrested for allegedly using a sanctioned Cambodian payment system, crypto exchanges, and duty-free shoppers to launder criminal funds.
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