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
Custody & Infrastructure
US SEC Accounting Guidance Disrupts Banks Crypto Projects
24/09/2022
Accounting guidance issued in March has reportedly forced US listed banks that were building out crypto offerings to suspend their plans.
Sustainable Finance
Bangladesh Issues Green Bond Financing Policy for Banks, NBFIs
24/09/2022
Banks and NBFIs can issue and invest in green bonds subject to meeting prudential, reporting and disclosure requirements.
Anti-Money Laundering
Myanmar Warns Against Illegal Foreign Exchange Trading
29/08/2022
The central bank warned that serious action will be taken against online businesses that are found to be illegally buying and selling foreign currencies.
Anti-Money Laundering
Bangladesh Bank Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal FX Transactions
29/08/2022
Dozens of money changers are being investigated for money laundering. Several banks are accused of making “excessive” profits from dollar sales.
Emerging Prudential Risks
Canada OFSI Issues Guidance on Bank Treatment of Crypto
28/08/2022
OFSI provides no recognition (i.e., a 100% haircut) for Group 2 cryptoassets held as collateral, but is seeking views on hedging practices that could warrant a lower haircut.
Payments & Settlements
Philippines Issues Draft Rules on Digital Payments Adoption
24/08/2022
All government departments and agencies, state universities and colleges, and state-owned or controlled corporations will have to implement digital payments.
Market Abuse
Academic Study Finds Broader Front-Running Problem at Coinbase
23/08/2022
University of Technology Sydney researchers estimate that insider trading occurred on 10-25% of new crypto listings at Coinbase between Sept 2018 and May 2022.
Cryptocurrency
US SEC Files Suit Against Crypto Entities Over ICO Sale
22/08/2022
Blockchain firm Dragonchain raised about $16.5mn without registering its token sales as securities offerings.
Anti-Money Laundering
India Freezes Crypto Exchange Assets in Money Laundering Probe
18/08/2022
India’s Enforcement Directorate has frozen funds belonging to three crypto firms including the Indian arm of crypto lender Vauld.
Anti-Money Laundering
UK: Most Crypto Firms Simply Withdrew Their FCA Applications
26/07/2022
The FCA approved 35 crypto firms out of 273 that applied for registration with the FCA under AML regulations.
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