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
Enforcement
BSP Calls for Passage of New Financial Consumer Protection Act
24/01/2022
The Act establishes stronger protection standards for consumers, promotes transparent and responsible pricing, and give regulators more teeth.
Fintech / Regtech
OECD Examines Policy Implications of DeFi in New Report
22/01/2022
An increased use of stablecoins constitutes “one of the greatest points of vulnerability of the DeFi market” and a potential channel of risk transmission to the traditional financial markets.
Capital / Liquidity
New Zealand to Probe Lenders on Application of New Lending Rules
20/01/2022
The government has asked the Council of Financial Regulators to bring forward an investigation into whether lenders are implementing the new lending rules as intended.
Capital / Liquidity
BSP Evaluates Sustainable Finance Incentives for Banks
18/01/2022
The BSP is considering using preferential rediscount rates and providing high value loans to help banks finance green loans and sustainable investments.
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.
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