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
Anti-Money Laundering
China Launches New Crackdown on Illicit Financial Intermediaries
10/04/2026
The campaign targets illegal deposit, loan, and insurance intermediaries, as well as unauthorised online lending and anti-collections services.
Market Abuse
Trip.com Faces US Class Action Over China Antitrust Probe
10/04/2026
A securities fraud lawsuit alleges the online travel giant misled investors about regulatory risks from its monopolistic practices in China.
Payments & Settlements
China Directs FIs to Optimise Financial Services for E-commerce Sector
10/04/2026
New guidelines call for enhanced credit, supply chain finance, and cross-border payment solutions to support e-commerce integration with the real economy.
Data Privacy
China Moves to Formalise Data Ownership with New Registration Rules
10/04/2026
China's new draft guidelines aim to create a unified data property rights registry, clarifying ownership to facilitate data trading and financing.
AI Risk & Governance
China Establishes Mandatory AI Ethics Review Framework
10/04/2026
Ten government bodies have jointly issued new measures requiring ethics reviews for AI activities, with a focus on high-risk systems.
Structural Regulation
Korea to Triple Small-Scale Offering Cap, Tighten Rules for Fractional Investments
10/04/2026
Regulators have proposed raising the small-scale public offering threshold to KRW 3 billion while mandating full disclosure for fractional investment securities and easing rules for VC funds.
Market Abuse
China Clarifies Short-Swing Trading Rules and Application Process for Foreign Funds
09/04/2026
New CSRC provisions and exchange circulars clarify per-product calculations, exemptions, and the specific steps for overseas managers to apply.
Credit Risk
Korea Mandates Higher FI Contributions to Boost Microfinance
09/04/2026
Regulators have increased mandatory contributions from financial institutions to expand policy-based finance and support for vulnerable borrowers in South Korea.
Cryptocurrency
Think Tank Urges Taiwan to Adopt Bitcoin as Strategic Reserve
09/04/2026
A new report argues Bitcoin could provide financial resilience against a potential China conflict, despite the central bank's previous rejection.
Trading & Investment
Korea Set to Launch Single-Stock Leveraged ETF Products
09/04/2026
Regulators will permit leveraged and inverse ETFs for Samsung and SK Hynix, but acknowledge a legal gap in trading rules for corporate executives.
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