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
Liquidity Risk
China Unveils Major Financial Opening Policies to Boost Yuan
18/06/2026
Regulators announce new liquidity tools, offshore yuan trading pilots, and wider capital account access to bolster Shanghai's global hub ambitions.
Structural Regulation
Korea Venture Industry Pushes Back on KOSDAQ Reforms
17/06/2026
Industry groups are calling for a reconsideration of government plans to segment the KOSDAQ market, fearing the move will stifle funding for innovative firms.
Trading & Investment
Korea Expands Probe into Mirae Asset Over SpaceX IPO Allocation Failure
17/06/2026
The FSS is investigating Mirae Asset Securities over risk disclosures after the firm failed to secure any shares in the SpaceX IPO.
Data Privacy
China Issues Data Classification Guidelines for Financial Information Services
17/06/2026
Six regulators released detailed rules establishing a four-tier data classification system for financial information service providers to implement nationwide.
CBDCs
China Readies Commercial Launch of mBridge CBDC Platform
17/06/2026
The multi-CBDC payment platform is readying for commercial launch as 26 banks join China’s official cross-border digital yuan settlement network.
Trading & Investment
China Adds Savings Bonds to Private Pension Scheme
17/06/2026
Regulators have expanded the investment scope for the national private pension scheme to include government savings bonds, aiming to boost participation and product diversity.
Structural Regulation
China Proposes Overhaul of Certificate of Deposit Rules
16/06/2026
PBOC has released draft measures to enhance supervision, standardise pricing, and improve disclosure for large-denomination certificates of deposit.
Reporting & Disclosures
China Targets Greenwashing and Style Drift in New Fund Rules
16/06/2026
AMAC has released three new guidelines to boost investor protection and standardise ESG and thematic fund management.
Liquidity Risk
Korean REITs Urge Reforms to Avert Liquidity Crisis
16/06/2026
The industry has called for urgent systemic reforms following a landmark default, warning of a potential market collapse without government action.
Trading & Investment
China Eases Stock Option Rules, Boosts Market Access
15/06/2026
New exchange guidelines introduce account interoperability between Shanghai and Shenzhen, raise position limits, and formalise access for qualified foreign investors.
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