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
Cloud & Infrastructure
HKMA, PBOC Agree to Link Regulatory Sandbox Across Borders
22/10/2021
The arrangement will facilitate cross-border financial innovation in the Greater Bay Area and strengthen supervisory exchanges.
Stablecoins
CFTC Fines Tether as US Regulators Scrutinise Crypto Markets
21/10/2021
The CFTC has fined Tether $41mn and Bitfinex’s parent $1.5mn. Meanwhile New York prosecutors have directed two crypto lending platforms to cease operations.
Cryptocurrency
Crypto Asset Regulation “A Matter Of Urgency”, says BOE
18/10/2021
Deputy governor Jon Cunliffe says a “plausible scenario” involving a collapse in crypto-asset prices would have financial stability implications.
Payments & Settlements
PBOC Tightens Rules on Use of Payment Acceptance Terminals
17/10/2021
The geographical location of bank card and barcode payment acceptance terminals must be established and monitored to ensure consistency with the merchant’s registered location.
Data Privacy
PBOC Vows to Fill Gaps in FinTech Regulation
14/10/2021
Governor Yi Gang says the PBOC will continue to strengthen its supervision of fintech companies, while also improving policy transparency and predictability.
Payments & Settlements
EBA Clearing, SWIFT, TCH Collaborate on Cross-Border Payments
12/10/2021
A POC has been completed that uses existing payment systems in the US and Europe to achieve synchronised settlements in cross-border payments.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
RBI Announces Fraud Theme for Fourth Sandbox Cohort
12/10/2021
The RBI said ‘prevention and mitigation of financial frauds’ will be the theme for the fourth regulatory sandbox cohort.
DeFi & Web3
Malaysia SC Orders Decentralised Exchanges to Halt Operations
10/10/2021
Entities interested in operating a decentralised exchange in Malaysia should apply to be registered as an RMO, the SC said.
Stablecoins
FSB Takes Stock of Progress to Regulate ‘Global Stablecoins’
08/10/2021
The FSB highlights concerns that new regulatory regimes for global stablecoins could give rise to regulatory arbitrage and harmful market fragmentation.
Custody & Infrastructure
Etrading Software Opens Registration for Digital Token Identifiers
08/10/2021
The new DTI Registry went live in July. Identifiers have already been issued for the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
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