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
KYC & CDD
Korea Simplifies Foreign Investor Onboarding With New LEI System
06/04/2026
The Korea Securities Depository has launched a real-time certificate service, replacing cumbersome translation and notarisation requirements for account opening.
CBDCs
China More Than Doubles E-Yuan Operators in Regulatory Expansion
06/04/2026
The central bank has licenced 12 new institutions, including city commercial banks for the first time, in a significant expansion of its CBDC pilot.
Emerging Prudential Risks
Korea Forms High-Level Council to Tackle Economic Volatility
06/04/2026
Top finance, budget, and regulatory chiefs will meet monthly to coordinate policy amid currency weakness and geopolitical shocks.
Trading & Investment
Korea Enacts Tax Breaks to Lure Retail Funds Onshore
03/04/2026
A revised tax law creates a new investment account and offers tiered capital gains tax exemptions to stabilise the Korean won.
Cybersecurity
China Drafts Security Guidelines for Open-Source AI Agents
03/04/2026
China's national cybersecurity standards body has released a detailed practice guide for "OpenClaw" agents, focusing on organisational governance, shadow IT risks, and secure deployment.
Liquidity Risk
Bangladesh to Launch Islamic Interbank Money Market by June - Reports
03/04/2026
The new Shariah-compliant platform, approved by the central bank, aims to provide a structured mechanism for Islamic banks to manage short-term liquidity.
Trading & Investment
Shanghai Exchanges Seek New Market Makers for Commodity Derivatives
03/04/2026
The move aims to improve market function and liquidity across a wide range of futures and options, with a deadline of 7 April for applications.
Trading & Investment
India’s NSE to Launch First Domestic Natural Gas Futures
03/04/2026
The new derivatives, approved by SEBI, will be based on the Indian Gas Exchange's domestic benchmark price index, aiming to create new hedging tools.
Supervision & Enforcement
China Targets Offshore Trusts in Widening Tax Crackdown - Reports
03/04/2026
Authorities are demanding detailed financial data from wealthy individuals, creating uncertainty for Hong Kong IPOs and long-standing wealth planning structures.
Structural Regulation
Indonesia Finalises Market Reforms to Avert MSCI Downgrade
03/04/2026
OJK says Indonesia has completed reforms on transparency and free float after a market rout in January was triggered by concerns from MSCI.
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