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
Enforcement
China Hands Suspended Death Sentence to Former Regulator, Former Bank President
04/12/2025
Top judicial bodies warn of severe punishment when damage from corrupt practices to the state and public interest is exceptionally grave.
Fintech / Regtech
China to Give Public Security Officials Powers to Conduct Cyber Inspections
03/12/2025
2018 rules will be updated to institute annual cyber and data security checks on operators of critical information infrastructure by public security authorities.
Securities / Derivatives
FSS Korea to Review FI Practices for Disclosing FX Risk to Retail Investors
03/12/2025
The FSS will inspect how firms explain currency risks to individual investors, in light of the persistent weakness facing the Korean won against the US dollar.
Securities / Derivatives
TAIFEX Sets Implementation Date for After-Hours Position Management Rules
03/12/2025
New operational windows for general and after-hours trading take effect on 8 December, though specific position netting procedures remain pending.
Securities / Derivatives
Korea Proposes Record Penalties for ELS Mis-selling by Banks
03/12/2025
The FSS has notified five banks of record penalties totalling KRW 2 trillion over mis-sold derivatives, threatening capital ratios.
Securities / Derivatives
Korean Lawmakers Agrees on New Dividend Tax Regime
02/12/2025
South Korean lawmakers agree on dividend tax reforms to incentivise shareholder returns while deadlock remains on corporate tax rate increases.
Securities / Derivatives
Pakistan Launches Council to Overhaul Capital Market Taxes
02/12/2025
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb orders comprehensive tax review and establishes working groups to shift economy from bank reliance to market-based financing.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Japan Post Bank to Pilot Tokenised Deposit Settlements for Real Estate
02/12/2025
The major lender will partner with DeCurret DCP and Shinoken Group to automate rent payments and property transactions using DCJPY ahead of a planned 2026 rollout.
Securities / Derivatives
South Korean Lawmakers Advance Security Token Legislation
02/12/2025
The legislation will establish the legal basis for security token offerings (STOs), setting the stage for a competitive race among firms seeking to launch new trading platforms.
AML / KYC
China Regulators Tighten Customer Due Diligence Rules for FIs
02/12/2025
The new rules require FIs to implement stricter beneficial ownership and source-of-wealth checks, along with a ten-year record retention obligation.
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