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
PEPs & Sanctions
Japanese Financial Firms Urged to Cut Ties Benefiting Myanmar Junta
26/03/2026
Rights groups allege that joint ventures involving Daiwa Institute of Research and JPX are facilitating fundraising for sanctioned entities.
Tokenisation
Hainan Regulator Issues Warning on Unapproved RWA Trading Platforms
26/03/2026
The regulator has clarified that RWA tokenisation is strictly prohibited domestically and named several entities suspected of illegal financial activities.
Operational Risk
GBA Officials Hold Inaugural Joint Financial Regulatory Meeting
26/03/2026
Regulators from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and Shenzhen met to discuss banking, insurance, AI oversight, and consumer protection.
Trading & Investment
SEBI Panel Backs Phased FPI Entry Into Commodity Derivatives - Report
26/03/2026
A regulatory committee has recommended allowing foreign investors into the market, favouring cash-settled, non-agricultural contracts to start.
Anti-Bribery & Corruption
China Probes Senior Financial Regulator in Widening Graft Crackdown
26/03/2026
Zhou Liang, a vice-minister at the NFRA and a former anti-graft official, is the latest high-profile target in the country's finance-focused purge.
Cloud & Infrastructure
Chinese President Pushes to Build Xiong'an as Tech and Financial Innovation Hub
26/03/2026
President Xi Jinping has called for policy pilots and the accelerated relocation of state firms and financial institutions to his flagship city project.
Credit Risk
Korea to Revise Main Debtor Group Evaluation System
25/03/2026
The move aims to better reflect industry-specific characteristics, particularly for sectors like petrochemicals undergoing restructuring.
Structural Regulation
Taiwan FSC Streamlines Rules for Switching Listing Boards
25/03/2026
The regulator has proposed amendments to create a more flexible, two-way transfer mechanism and exempt companies from certain requirements when raising capital.
Structural Regulation
Taiwan Eases Bond Issuance Rules to Attract Foreign Firms
25/03/2026
The FSC has revised guidelines for foreign issuers, clarifying eligibility criteria and simplifying procedures to boost Taiwan's bond market.
Trading & Investment
FSS Korea Urges ETF Industry to Tighten Controls Amid Growth Risks
25/03/2026
FSS flags concerns over exaggerated advertising, rebalancing shocks, and advance portfolio disclosures amid rapid market growth and new product launches.
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