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
AML / KYC
Japan, US Impose More Sanctions Over DPRK Missile Tests
05/04/2022
Japan sanctioned 4 Russia-based entities and 9 other individuals. The US sanctioned 5 more North Korean entities.
Market Infrastructure
Japan, EU Enhance Framework on Regulatory Cooperation
02/04/2022
The adoption of the regulatory cooperation framework follows the signing of an amended MoC by Japan’s FSA and ESMA.
Crypto / Digital Assets
CFTC Consults on Crypto Derivatives Model Proposed by FTX
19/03/2022
Under the proposed model, customers would have to post margin to open a position, and the margin level will be recalculated every 30 seconds as positions are marked to market.
AML / KYC
US Omnibus Bill Grants FinCEN 27pc Budget Increase
18/03/2022
The additional budget is to allow FinCEN to respond to the situation in Ukraine, including expenses foreign government personnel to attend meetings and training.
Securities / Derivatives
China to Concede to US Regulators on Audit Supervision Issue
17/03/2022
Chinese regulators plan to allow some companies to provide some audit information to the PCAOB, and provide additional clarity on what information can and cannot be disclosed overseas.
Fintech / Regtech
S. Korea Elects Pro-Crypto President, Yoon Suk-yeol
16/03/2022
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has promised to overhaul Korea’s regulatory framework for cryptocurrency, and to relax crypto taxation policies.
Fintech / Regtech
Dubai Establishes New Law, Regulator for Crypto Assets
16/03/2022
The new law comes as crypto firms in the UAE receive streams of requests from sanctioned Russians to liquidate billions of dollars of crypto assets.
AFCA Proposes New User-Pays Funding Model
15/03/2022
Under the new model, about 20% of AFCA members would experience a decrease in fees, while 70% would see no impact.
Capital / Liquidity
New Zealand to Revise Responsible Lending Rules
15/03/2022
The new rules, introduced in December, were designed to protect the vulnerable but are making it more difficult for borrowers to obtain loans.
Fintech / Regtech
BSP Revises Regulatory Framework for E-money Issuers
15/03/2022
E-money can refer to monetary value “electronically stored in an instrument or device” – including cash cards, prepaid cards, stored value cards or digital wallets.
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