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
INTERPOL Issues Global Alert on Human Trafficking-Fueled Online Fraud
07/06/2023
INTERPOL warns of a “double-edged crime threat” that exploits victims of human trafficking as well as those forced to perpetrate online fraud.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Russia Drops Plan to Establish National Crypto Exchange
06/06/2023
The country now plans to create rules that will enable multiple crypto trading platforms to be established and conduct cross-border transactions.
Crypto / Digital Assets
US Lawmakers Propose Crypto Bill to Clarify SEC, CFTC Oversight Roles
06/06/2023
The bill would create a new category of regulated entities under the CFTC called digital commodity exchanges.
ESG / Sustainability
Japan’s FSA to Issue First Guidelines on Impact Investing
06/06/2023
The guidelines will define novelty, effect, profitability, and disclosure as key requirements for impact investing.
Enforcement
FINRA Fines Vanguard for Misleading Account Statements
02/06/2023
Vanguard had errors in about 8.5 million customer statements and failed to address customer reports of the errors in a timely manner.
Big Picture
IIF, WTW Explore Metrics for Quantifying Transition Risk
02/06/2023
The report says emissions-based metrics do not provide a comprehensive indication of a company’s overall exposure to transition risk.
Crypto / Digital Assets
EU Proposes Lower Risk Weights for Stablecoins, Tokenised Assets
02/06/2023
Stablecoins backed by non-fiat assets such as gold would have a 250% risk weight. Those backed by fiat currency would be treated the same as the underlying.
Securities / Derivatives
SEBI Proposes Tighter Rules for Granting QIB Status to AIFs
31/05/2023
SEBI said many AIFs have only one or two investors but have been obtaining benefits as ‘Qualified Institutional Buyers’.
Crypto / Digital Assets
China Expands CBDC Usage to Investment and Capital Markets
30/05/2023
A project by Galaxy Securities and ICBC to use CBDC for investments is included in Beijing’s capital market fintech innovation trials.
Crypto / Digital Assets
US Crypto Firm Secures Special Purpose Broker-dealer Licence
29/05/2023
The licence, granted by FINRA, is considered an important milestone, though there are limitations of what it can be used for.
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