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
Fintech / Regtech
New Carbon Accounting Guidance Issued for Crypto Sector
21/12/2021
Guidance from the Crypto Climate Accord describes how stakeholders in the crypto sector can measure, track, and report their electricity use and GHG emissions.
Market Infrastructure
BNM Proposes New Rules For Payment System Operators
17/12/2021
BNM proposes governance, risk management and operational requirements to ensure safety, efficiency, reliability and confidence in payment systems.
AML / KYC
BSP to Ensure Hacked BDO Accounts Are Reimbursed
15/12/2021
Some 700 customers of BDO Unibank have suffered losses due to a hack. The BSP said it will ensure remedial measures are undertaken.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Binance Withdraws DPT Licence Application in Singapore
15/12/2021
Binance’s recent investment in Hg Exchange rendered its licensing application “somewhat redundant”, CEO Changpeng Zhao said.
Securities / Derivatives
ASIC Consults on How it Communicates Audit Review Findings
15/12/2021
ASIC proposes to start communicating with company directors more routinely regarding findings from its audit inspections.
ESG / Sustainability
Bangko Sentral’s ‘Deliberate Approach’ to Sustainable Finance
14/12/2021
Deputy governor Chuchi Fonacier explains the BSP’s policy approach to sustainability, highlighting the central bank’s role as an ‘enabler’, ‘mobiliser’ and ‘doer’.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Thai SEC Consults on Rules Restricting Use of DeFi Platforms
12/12/2021
The proposed rules would bar digital asset fund managers from investing customer assets on DeFi platforms and digital asset advisers from recommending them to investors.
AML / KYC
US Treasury Targets Human Trafficking in Updated Action Plan
12/12/2021
Treasury will leverage its AML expertise to augment human trafficking investigations, and develop advisories to alert FIs to potential red flags.
Securities / Derivatives
Thailand Set to Launch ID Checking System for Foreign Bond Investors
08/12/2021
Beginning 4 January 2022, all non-resident investors trading debt securities must register with the BOT and settle trades through segregated securities accounts.
Fintech / Regtech
BSP Urges Rural Banks to Promote Financial Inclusion Through Tech
07/12/2021
As of end-June 2021, there were over 3,000 rural banks nationwide. However, only 21 of them offer PESONet and 11 offer InstaPay for electronic fund transfer services.
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