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
Enforcement
Bangladesh Bank Audit Reveals False Reporting by Global Islami Bank
17/07/2025
A BDT 22.59 billion loss was masked as profit by Global Islami Bank. Regulators are investigating whether the misreporting stemmed from the bank’s management or the auditors.
Securities / Derivatives
Bangladesh Proposes to Reform Process for Appointing Top BSEC Officials
17/07/2025
A draft law aims to overhaul the appointment process for the BSEC and introduce tougher penalties for market manipulation.
Fintech / Regtech
GIFT City Regulator Amends Proposals for TechFin and Ancillary Services
17/07/2025
Feedback on IFSCA's proposed regulations highlights concerns over re-registration costs, mandatory officer appointments, and restrictive client eligibility criteria.
Market Infrastructure
India’s IFSCA Proposes Tighter Rules for Appointments to Boards of MIIs
15/07/2025
India’s IFSCA is proposing tighter rules for board appointments at financial market infrastructure institutions in GIFT City, aiming to bolster investor protection and global credibility.
ESG / Sustainability
Indonesia Launches REC Trading Platform to Power Clean Energy Future
15/07/2025
The renewable energy certificate trading market aims to boost renewable energy, attract global investors, and accelerate climate-aligned energy transition.
Enforcement
Bangladesh Court Orders Freeze on Singapore Assets in Billion-Dollar Probe
14/07/2025
A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of dozens of bank accounts and corporate shares in Singapore linked to Mohammad Saiful Alam and his family.
ESG / Sustainability
IFRS Foundation Clarifies Use of Industry Guidance for ISSB Standards
14/07/2025
The IFRS Foundation has published new guidance to support global firms implementing sustainability disclosure rules tailored to their industries.
Capital / Liquidity
Korean Banks Unveil KRW 3 Trillion Guarantee Scheme to Boost SMEs
12/07/2025
South Korea’s banking sector is collaborating to accelerate growth among high-performing small enterprises through delegated guarantee lending.
Enforcement
SEBI Penalises Former Exec of Axis Asset Management Company
12/07/2025
The former executive was found to have recommended specific stocks to relatives that closely resembled trades executed by Axis Mutual Fund.
Capital / Liquidity
Bangladesh Bank to Conduct Reviews of 11 Additional Banks
03/07/2025
The initiative follows similar reviews of six other banks with irregularities, which resulted in Bangladesh Bank initiating a multi-bank merger process.
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