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
RBI Tightens Rules on Ownership of Bank Shares
17/01/2023
The rules are intended to ensure control and ownership stay “well-diversified” and major shareholders are ‘fit and proper’.
Crypto / Digital Assets
UK to Launch Digital Currency Consultations in Coming Weeks
15/01/2023
One consultation will cover the attributes of a digital pound. The other will cover the UK’s approach to regulating crypto and DeFi.
Market Infrastructure
RBI Working to Mitigate Risks from ESMA Decision on Indian CCPs
05/01/2023
The RBI said it is engaging with European regulators and discussing “alternate arrangements” to avert a market disruption that could result from ESMA’s derecognition of Indian CCPs.
Crypto / Digital Assets
BIS Papers Explore DeFi Benefits, Risks, and Systemic ‘Fragility’
22/12/2022
Regulators should address DeFi risks with globally consistent regulatory frameworks. Collateral liquidations in DeFi lead to lasting price impacts.
Capital / Liquidity
Korean Banks to Resume Bond Issuance as Markets Stabilise
22/12/2022
South Korea’s corporate bond market is showing signs of recovery, prompting banks to resume bond issuance to replace maturing debt.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Audit Firms Are Exiting Relationships with Crypto Clients
21/12/2022
Mazars and Armanino have stopped serving clients in the crypto sector. BDO is reconsidering its approach to the sector.
Enforcement
Former German Tax Inspector Jailed Over Cum-Ex Tax Fraud
20/12/2022
Hanno Berger, considered a Cum-Ex mastermind, was sentenced to eight years in jail and ordered to repay EUR 13.7 million.
Big Picture
Systemic Risk Scores in Global Insurance Sector Are Rising: IAIS
19/12/2022
Higher systemic risk scores are driven by increased exposures to illiquid and difficult-to-value assets, OTC derivatives, repo transactions and other factors.
Crypto / Digital Assets
US Lawmakers Introduce AML/CFT Bill for Crypto Firms
19/12/2022
The bill would categorise all crypto firms as money transfer businesses, requiring them to implement AML programmes and prohibiting the use of crypto mixers.
Enforcement
US SEC, DOJ Charge Social Media Influencers for Securities Fraud
18/12/2022
Eight individuals are accused of engaging in a conspiracy to commit securities fraud through a social media-based “pump and dump” scheme.
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