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
Korea FSS Resumes On-Site Inspections of Private Equity Firms
22/04/2026
The FSS has begun its first on-site inspection of 2026 at VIG Partners, signalling a continued regulatory crackdown on the sector.
Capital / Liquidity
Korea Unveils KRW 78 Trillion Package for Crisis-Hit Firms
22/04/2026
Financial regulators have announced significant loan and support packages from state and commercial lenders to aid companies facing liquidity issues.
ESG / Sustainability
Korea FSS Forms Task Force to Enforce Stricter Delisting Rules
22/04/2026
The FSS has launched a multi-departmental unit to enforce stricter delisting rules and crack down on illegal market activities.
Securities / Derivatives
China Brokerage Consolidation Deepens with State-Backed Merger
21/04/2026
Orient Securities is set to acquire Shanghai Securities, creating a top-ten brokerage as Beijing continues its push to build globally competitive investment banks.
Securities / Derivatives
China Widens Scope of Strategic Investors for Listed Firms
21/04/2026
New rules allow pension funds, mutual funds and insurers to act as strategic investors, enabling them to bring more ‘patient capital’ into the market.
Securities / Derivatives
CSRC Proposes Overhaul of Regulation Governing Futures Companies
21/04/2026
New rules would bring derivatives trading and market-making in-house to licensed firms and impose stricter capital and ownership rules.
Fintech / Regtech
China Proposes Token-Based Trading to Monetise AI Datasets
21/04/2026
A new national plan aims to create a market for AI-ready data, proposing novel assetisation paths and token-based pricing models for key sectors including finance.
ESG / Sustainability
China Imposes Lifelong Accountability for Government Investment
21/04/2026
New rules aim to curb reckless spending and manage debt risks by holding officials personally responsible for project decisions throughout their lifetime.
Securities / Derivatives
Taiwan's Taishin Securities Faces Probe After Post-Merger System Outages
20/04/2026
The brokerage, now Taiwan's fourth-largest, suffered two system failures following its merger with MasterLink, leading to thousands of incorrect trades and a regulatory investigation.
Fintech / Regtech
Korea Divided on Breach Reporting Law for E-commerce Firms
20/04/2026
A legislative proposal to mandate that e-commerce firms report security breaches to financial authorities faces resistance from the regulator and industry.
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