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
CBDCs
RBNZ to Commence Design Work on CBDC Proof of Concept
10/02/2022
Governor Adrian Orr said falling behind other central banks is “not an option” and the RBNZ will soon begin POC design and testing for a CBDC.
Stablecoins
Mitsui to Launch Japan’s First Gold-Pegged Cryptocurrency
08/02/2022
ZipangCoin will be made available to retail investors this month through Digital Asset Markets Inc, which is partly owned by Mitsui & Co.
Structural Regulation
BOT Sets Out Plans for ‘New Financial Landscape’
07/02/2022
The BOT will introduce virtual bank licences, relax fintech investment limits for banks, promote open data, and establish TCFD aligned disclosure standards.
Data Privacy
Australia to Expand CDR Across Financial Services Sectors
04/02/2022
The government will assess which datasets to prioritise across the non-bank lending, merchant acquirer, superannuation and insurance sectors.
Credit Risk
BOT Allows Banks, AMCs to Jointly Form Bad Debt Managers
03/02/2022
JV AMCs can provide banks more flexibility to manage bad debts, while also providing relief to borrowers who are unable to service their debt or face a collateral liquidation threat.
Credit Risk
Philippine SEC Reveals Establishment of Five ‘Bad Bank’ Entities
27/01/2022
Known as FISTCs, the five institutions are tasked with purchasing bad loans and NPAs from lenders accumulated during the pandemic.
Sustainable Finance
Philippine SEC Issues Draft Rules for SRI Funds
25/01/2022
To qualify as an SRI fund, an investment company must have at least 70 percent of its NAV allotted to ESG investments.
Cryptocurrency
Russian Central Bank Proposes to Impose Crypto Ban
25/01/2022
A proposed ban against investing in cryptocurrencies would also apply to institutional investors and mutual funds, the central bank says.
Sustainable Finance
BNM to Open New Funding Facilities to Support SMEs
24/01/2022
The Business Recapitalisation Facility will support recovery and growth, while the Low Carbon Transition Facility will support the adoption of sustainable practices.
Conduct, Culture & Accountability
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.
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