Mark Johnston

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    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

    Clearing & Post-Trade

    China Mandates OTC Derivatives Reporting to New Trade Repository

    03/08/2026

    FIs face a 7 August deadline to report all over-the-counter derivative trades retrospectively to 1 January 2023 to a new central data repository.

    Cybersecurity

    China Proposes Security Rules for AI Agents and Browsers

    03/08/2026

    New draft guidelines from China's cybersecurity standards body outline security, risk management, and data protection requirements for AI-powered services.

    Market Risk

    Taiwan Acts to Calm Nerves After TWD 62 Billion Wipe-Out

    03/08/2026

    Following a sharp two-day sell-off, authorities have clarified margin call rules and say stabilisation measures are ready if needed.

    Capital Adequacy

    Korea Proposes Steep Hike in Insurer Deposit Premiums

    03/08/2026

    Regulators are seeking to raise deposit insurance rates for the first time in 17 years, with non-life insurers facing a potential threefold increase.

    Climate Risk

    China Unveils 15th Five-Year Climate Plan, Signals Carbon Market Expansion

    03/08/2026

    The plan sets new emissions targets and outlines a significant expansion of the national carbon market to include new sectors and financial institutions.

    Market Data & Technology

    China Exchanges End Low-Latency Access for Quant Funds

    03/08/2026

    The move will scrap co-location advantages by mandating a switch to slower network connections with a minimum latency requirement.

    Data Privacy

    China Issues Framework to Unlock Data for Sci-Tech Finance

    03/08/2026

    Nine departments have released a national data catalogue and will pilot trusted data spaces to improve financing for technology companies.

    Market Abuse

    China Overhauls Insider Trading Rules, Tightening Defences

    01/08/2026

    The revision raises monetary thresholds for prosecution but significantly tightens legal defences and expands the definition of the 'sensitive period'.

    Credit Risk

    Taiwan Approves First Banks for IRB Approach to Credit Risk

    31/07/2026

    The move allows seven major banks to use their own models to calculate capital, subject to a transitional output floor.

    Market Data & Technology

    Japan to Expand Corporate Bond Trade Disclosure to Boost Transparency

    31/07/2026

    The move will increase the proportion of disclosed trades to nearly 90 percent of issues, aiming to vitalise the secondary market.

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