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
Securities / Derivatives
MUFG to Become First Japanese Bank to Issue Digital Bond for Tier 2 Capital
12/10/2025
The JPY 10 billion issuance, aimed at digital asset investors, will be the first of its kind in Japan’s banking sector.
Enforcement
China Proposes Tougher Rules on Director Liability and Related-Party Deals
10/10/2025
A draft judicial interpretation from China’s Supreme People's Court signals a crackdown on corporate misconduct, with significant implications for shareholder liability and governance standards.
Securities / Derivatives
Sri Lanka SEC Rolls Out New Unit Trust Categorisation Framework
10/10/2025
The move aims to standardise fund classification across the industry in line with IOSCO guidelines.
Fintech / Regtech
India Mandates Biometric UPI Payments, Shifts Liability to Banks
10/10/2025
Regulators have approved new biometric authentication methods for India’s UPI payments system, making banks fully liable for any safeguard failures.
IMF Calls for EM Policy Reform to Bolster FX and Debt Market Resilience
09/10/2025
Emerging economies must strengthen surveillance, close data gaps and boost operational resilience to withstand future shocks, the IMF has warned.
Securities / Derivatives
Bangladesh Mandates CIB Reporting for Non-Listed Security Investments
09/10/2025
New rules require banks and NBFIs to report holdings in certain non-listed securities to the credit bureau to enhance oversight.
Fintech / Regtech
RBI Launches Wholesale Deposit Tokenisation Pilot
09/10/2025
RBI will explore using its wholesale CBDC to support tokenised interbank deposits.
AML / KYC
Bangladesh Banks Directed to Engage Global Firms for Asset Recovery
08/10/2025
Lenders in Bangladesh must partner with international experts to repatriate funds allegedly laundered by high-profile individuals and business groups.
APRA Directs Super Platforms to Lift Product Governance Standards
08/10/2025
APRA has ordered superannuation platform trustees to urgently lift standards after a review found significant failures in investment governance, onboarding and monitoring.
Sanctions
China Using Covert State-Backed Channel to Fund Iran Oil Purchases - Report
07/10/2025
A hidden financial conduit involving state insurer Sinosure is funnelling billions in oil payments to Iran, according to reports.
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