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
Market Abuse
China Jails Quant Fund Staff in Landmark Illegal Stock Lending Case
04/08/2026
A Shanghai court has handed down prison sentences and fines to a quantitative hedge fund and its staff for illegal securities lending activities.
Conduct, Culture & Accountability
China Issues New Rules to Bolster Financial Institution Governance
04/08/2026
Four top regulators have jointly released 22 measures targeting shareholder conduct, remuneration, risk management, and regulatory oversight to be implemented by 2029.
Structural Regulation
Korea Proposes New Cornerstone Investor and Book-Building Rules for IPOs
04/08/2026
The FSC has detailed new rules for cornerstone investors and preliminary book-building, which will take effect from November.
Emerging Prudential Risks
Korea Brings All Electronic Financial Service Providers Under Conglomerate Rules
04/08/2026
The FSC has amended rules to bring all electronic financial service providers, regardless of industry classification, under group-level risk management.
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.
Liquidity Risk
China Simplifies Rules for Domestic Foreign Exchange Loans
03/08/2026
SAFE has issued new rules to streamline account management and FX conversion for domestic foreign exchange loans.
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