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
Capital / Liquidity
APRA Reduces Liquidity Add-On Requirements for Macquarie Bank
05/02/2026
APRA has cut the bank's NCO add-on from 25% to 15% and removed its ASF adjustment, but a A$500 million capital overlay remains.
Securities / Derivatives
Taiwan Opens Door for Discretionary Mandates to Invest in Private Equity
05/02/2026
The FSC has set strict due diligence, disclosure requirements, and a 40% combined exposure cap for PE and commodity investments in discretionary accounts.
Enforcement
Korea Hands Down First Prison Sentence Under New Virtual Asset Law
05/02/2026
A Seoul court has jailed a crypto executive for market manipulation in the first conviction under the Virtual Asset User Protection Act.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Korea Fintech Industry Opposes Proposed Crypto Exchange Ownership Cap
05/02/2026
Industry body warns the 15-20% limit will stifle innovation and suggests market-friendly governance alternatives instead.
Market Infrastructure
UK and China Launch Technical Dialogue, Designate New RMB Clearing Bank
05/02/2026
Regulators establish technical cooperation on stability and supervision while designating Bank of China’s London Branch as a second RMB clearing bank.
ESG / Sustainability
Vietnam and ADB Launch $2m Initiative to Boost Green Banking Capacity
04/02/2026
The collaborative project aims to strengthen green banking practices, develop green taxonomy frameworks, and help the sector manage climate risks.
Securities / Derivatives
Thailand Mandates Machine-Readable Portfolio Reporting for Securities Firms
04/02/2026
The regulator requires operators to provide real-time, digital access to investment data by July 2026 to support long-term planning.
Enforcement
Korea's Dunamu Under Probe for Allegedly Hindering Market Competition
04/02/2026
South Korean regulators are probing whether Dunamu unfairly restricted trading of its unlisted shares to its own platform, hindering competitors.
Enforcement
Korea FSS Fines Five Brokerages KRW 3b for ELS Mis-Selling
04/02/2026
Regulators have fined five firms and outlined specific sales practice violations at each, from bypassing recording rules to improper advertising.
Securities / Derivatives
China Proposes 5pc Minimum Stake for Strategic ‘Patient Capital’ Investors
03/02/2026
New draft rules expand the definition of strategic investors and set a 5% minimum stake to encourage long-term institutional investment.
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