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
Fintech / Regtech
IOSCO Targets AI Governance, Private Markets and Non-Bank Resilience in 2026 Workplan
10/02/2026
IOSCO outlines plans for AI supervisory toolkits, crypto assessments and stricter valuation principles for collective investment schemes.
Market Infrastructure
Singapore Secures Major Insurer Backing for Digital Trade Documents
10/02/2026
Key P&I Club approval for four platforms and a new incentive programme aim to accelerate eBL adoption in shipping.
Enforcement
Australia Federal Court Penalises FIIG Securities for Cybersecurity Failures
10/02/2026
The Federal Court has ordered the fixed-income specialist to pay AUD 2.5 million for inadequate cybersecurity controls following a major data breach.
Fintech / Regtech
China Orders Payment and Data Overhaul to Integrate Foreign Visitors into Digital Economy
10/02/2026
New rules require payment interoperability, simplified KYC, and streamlined data sharing to boost tourism, spending, and investment.
Capital / Liquidity
Korea Launches Task Force to Overhaul NPS Currency Hedging and FX Rules
09/02/2026
A new government body will review the National Pension Service’s investment framework to mitigate its impact on domestic financial markets.
Enforcement
Korea Probes Bithumb Over Misleading Liquidity Claims
09/02/2026
KFTC investigates allegations that Bithumb exaggerated its market position and unfairly altered conditions for a cash giveaway promotion.
AML / KYC
Korea to Grant FIU Powers to Freeze Accounts in AML Overhaul
06/02/2026
The plan will also expand the crypto “travel rule”, impose AML duties on stablecoin issuers, and target lawyers and accountants to meet FATF standards.
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.
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