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
Big Picture
Quantitative Easing Ineffective at Driving Firms to Invest
18/01/2022
Weaker firms respond to lower long-term yields by refinancing debt. Healthier firms tend to increase cash holdings and share buybacks.
NGFS Appoints Ravi Menon to Serve as New Chair
18/01/2022
Menon will serve a two-year term as chair of the NGFS, succeeding the ECB’s Frank Elderson. Deutsche Bundesbank’s Sabine Mauderer will serve as vice-chair.
Fintech / Regtech
Crypto Firms Should Not Advertise to Retail Customers: MAS
18/01/2022
New guidelines say crypto firms should refrain from advertising their services in public areas in Singapore or via social media influencers.
ESG / Sustainability
Philippine Govt Launches Sustainable Finance Framework
17/01/2022
The framework sets out a roadmap on how the government intends to raise green, social and sustainability bonds, loans, and other debt instruments in international capital markets.
Fintech / Regtech
China State Planner Declares Cryptocurrency Mining Obsolete
14/01/2022
The NDRC said that measures to stamp out cryptocurrency mining are part of efforts to help achieve peak carbon and carbon neutrality targets on schedule.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Thai Stock Exchange Unveils Three-Year Strategic Plan
14/01/2022
The SET will launch a new exchange for fundraising by SMEs and startups within in Q1, and a new digital asset exchange in Q3.
Fintech / Regtech
Thailand Taxation Rules for Crypto to be Ready Soon
13/01/2022
A 15% capital gains tax will be applied to investors as well as operators of crypto mining facilities, but not crypto exchanges.
Fintech / Regtech
HKMA to Introduce Regulatory Framework for Stablecoins
13/01/2022
Only Hong Kong incorporated entities licensed by the HKMA would be allowed to actively market stablecoins to the local public.
Securities / Derivatives
UPDATED – Singapore to See First SPAC Listings Within January
12/01/2022
Prospectuses have been filed by Vertex Technology Acquisition Corporation, Pegasus Asia, and Novo Tellus Capital Partners.
Market Infrastructure
Indonesia: OJK Outlines Capital Market Priorities for 2022
11/01/2022
OJK will work on developing a carbon exchange at IDX, new derivative instruments, and central clearing infrastructure.
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