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
Payments & Settlements
Visa Granted Approval to Prepare China Bankcard Clearing Operations
16/10/2026
PBOC approved Visa's application to prepare for a domestic bankcard clearing institution as a wholly foreign-owned entity.
Custody & Infrastructure
China Unveils National Blockchain Network and Tech Finance Strategy
16/10/2026
The government has unveiled a comprehensive policy to develop new productive forces, featuring plans for a national blockchain network and expanded tech financing.
Operational Risk
China Issues New Product Development Rules for Property Insurers
15/10/2026
The NFRA has introduced revised rules for property insurance product development, banning eight product types and enhancing consumer protection.
Structural Regulation
China Proposes Overhaul of Public Fund Rules to Boost Equity Investments
14/10/2026
The CSRC has unveiled the first major revision to public fund operation rules in 12 years, lowering establishment thresholds and curbing style drift.
Payments & Settlements
Ecobank Joins China's CIPS to Boost RMB Settlements
14/10/2026
Pan-African lender Ecobank has partnered with China's Cross-Border Interbank Payment System to facilitate direct yuan transactions and reduce settlement complexity.
Data Privacy
PBOC Proposes Overhaul Of Financial Credit Information Database Rules
13/10/2026
The PBOC has issued draft rules to upgrade its credit database management, expanding the regulatory scope to include corporate credit and non-bank institutions.
AI Risk & Governance
Ping An Bank Adopts AI Management Rules Following NFRA Guidance
08/10/2026
Ping An Bank has become the first listed Chinese lender to approve internal AI management measures, aligning with national regulatory guidelines.
Structural Regulation
Korea: Court Injunction Halts Small-Cap Delistings from KRX
08/10/2026
The court suspended KRX's accelerated delisting rules for small-cap stocks, citing procedural flaws and restricted corporate rights.
Trading & Investment
Taiwan Extends Bond Tax Exemptions to Boost Asset Management
08/10/2026
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan has approved a draft amendment to extend securities transaction tax exemptions for bonds and bond ETFs by 10 years.
Credit Risk
Guangzhou Overhauls Housing Sales with Deposit Caps and Tighter Oversight
08/10/2026
Guangzhou has issued detailed rules to overhaul its commercial housing sales system, capping deposits and tightening controls over developer funding.
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