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
AI Risk & Governance
Japan FSA to Develop Shared AI Agent for Regional Banks
12/05/2026
The project aims to improve efficiency and ease staffing pressures by providing a centrally developed conversational AI for customer service at around 100 institutions.
PEPs & Sanctions
JPMorgan and Citigroup Sued in China Over Sanctions Compliance
12/05/2026
A Chinese energy firm is suing the US banks after they blocked payments several months before sanctions were officially imposed.
AI Risk & Governance
KOTEC Becomes Korea's First 'AI Ethics Compliant' Public Institution
11/05/2026
KOTEC will partner with the National Information Society Agency to establish an AI ethics framework and promote responsible adoption among SMEs.
Cryptocurrency
Korea Exchange Announced Plans to Pursue Crypto Derivatives
11/05/2026
KRX has announced plans to introduce virtual asset derivatives as part of a strategy to develop Busan into a global financial hub.
Trading & Investment
Institutional Investors Call for Deeper Reforms to China Bond Futures Market
11/05/2026
China has opened its onshore government bond futures market to qualified foreign investors, but market participants cite significant constraints.
Structural Regulation
China Amends Corporate Governance Rules for Delisted Firms
10/05/2026
The CSRC has updated corporate governance rules for delisted companies and scrapped outdated rules for Hong Kong listings and futures firms.
Cybersecurity
China Proposes Overhaul of Key Cybersecurity Standards
09/05/2026
China’s national standards body has released five draft cybersecurity standards for consultation, proposing significant updates to vulnerability management and risk assessment frameworks.
Alternative Markets
Korea Deploys Growth Fund for AI, Launches Retail Offering
08/05/2026
A state-backed fund is injecting capital into ‘sovereign AI’ while a new retail tranche offers government loss protection to encourage public participation.
Structural Regulation
BOT Warns Virtual Bank Applicants on Licence Conditions
08/05/2026
The central bank has cautioned the three prospective licensees that they must meet strict structural rules or risk losing their licence entirely.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Korea Deploys AI and Citizen Army to Fight Online Financial Crime
08/05/2026
Regulators are expanding a citizen monitoring group and upgrading an AI surveillance system to crack down on illegal online advertisements and unregulated "finfluencers."
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