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
China Overhauls Rules for Offering Microcredit Loans
04/03/2026
Chinese regulators have overhauled rural microcredit policies, doubling loan limits to CNY 100,000 and introducing new risk management mandates.
Capital / Liquidity
Korea Tightens Risk Rules for Mutual Finance Sector Over PF Loan Concerns
04/03/2026
The FSC proposes lending caps, stricter recovery estimates, and higher capital ratios for credit unions and cooperatives.
Market Infrastructure
China Proposes Tighter Oversight for Corporate Credit Reporting
04/03/2026
The PBOC has issued draft rules to strengthen the regulation and market exit mechanisms for corporate credit reporting agencies.
Capital / Liquidity
China Unveils New Guidelines for Sci-Tech Insurance Development
04/03/2026
New guidelines detail 20 measures to align insurance with innovation needs, guiding products, services, and insurance fund investments toward strategic tech sectors.
Enforcement
Korea, Thailand to Share Crypto Data and Collaborate Against Tax Evasion
04/03/2026
Tax authorities in South Korea and Thailand have signed an agreement to exchange cryptocurrency data and tackle offshore evasion.
Enforcement
Tokyo Court Rules Against MUFG Over AT1 Bond Losses
03/03/2026
A Japanese court has ordered Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities to compensate an investor over inadequate AT1 bond risk disclosures.
Market Infrastructure
Korea to Enable Same-day FX Settlement for Foreign investors
03/03/2026
South Korea will enable same-day currency exchange and securities settlement for foreign investors to support global index inclusion.
Enforcement
US Seizes $580m in Crypto from Southeast Asian Scam Networks
02/03/2026
A US task force has seized millions in cryptocurrency from transnational crime syndicates orchestrating investment frauds across Southeast Asia.
Fintech / Regtech
APAC Advancing Tokenised Money Frameworks But Paths Diverge - Report
24/02/2026
A new study highlights how Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan are forging distinct stablecoin rules, creating a fragmented regional landscape.
AML / KYC
AUSTRAC Publishes Proposed Funding Model for 2025-26
24/02/2026
The regulator is seeking stakeholder feedback on its proposed funding model, which exempts Tranche 2 entities pending a future comprehensive review.
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