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
Trading & Investment
China Extends Tax Incentives for Innovative Firms' CDR Pilot to End 2027
26/01/2026
Authorities renew preferential treatment for individual and institutional investors, including QFIIs and public funds, to support the domestic depositary receipt programme.
Structural Regulation
China NFRA Overhauls Licensing Rules With New Digital-first Framework
26/01/2026
New regulations taking effect 1 March mandate electronic filings, clarify review hierarchies and set strict penalty timelines for market entry and personnel approvals.
Trading & Investment
China Opens 14 Commodity Futures and Options Products to International Investors
26/01/2026
The CSRC has expanded the list of domestic specific commodities available to overseas traders to deepen financial market integration and bolster its influence over global commodity pricing.
Custody & Infrastructure
Korea Tests Autonomous AI Payment System Using Digital Currency Tokens
26/01/2026
The BOK and LG CNS have successfully demonstrated a payment infrastructure allowing AI agents to autonomously transact using blockchain-based deposit tokens.
Anti-Bribery & Corruption
Former China Construction Bank Executive VP Sentenced to Jail
26/01/2026
The former exec was also fined CNY 4.1 million after a court found that he accepted bribes and issued loans that caused "heavy losses" to the bank.
Market Abuse
Korea to Prosecute NH Securities Staff Over Unfair Trading Gains
26/01/2026
The regulator alleges current and former employees used non-public information, part of a wider ring that netted KRW 3.27 billion.
AI Risk & Governance
Bank of Korea Unveils 'World First ‘Sovereign’ AI Platform
25/01/2026
BOK's in-house LLM is a test case for data security, sovereignty, and reforming Korea's strict network separation rules.
Structural Regulation
Korea’s FTC Fines Major Banks KRW 272 billion for LTV Collusion
23/01/2026
KFTC ruled that four lenders exchanged sensitive information to restrict competition in the secured loan market, prompting legal challenges.
Payments & Settlements
Korea Proposes Stricter Oversight of Electronic Payment Agents and Fee Disclosures
23/01/2026
The FSC aims to dismantle multi-level payment structures and enhance merchant fee transparency through targeted regulatory amendments.
Supervision & Enforcement
PBOC Fines Yinsheng Payment in Signal of Continued Sector Scrutiny
22/01/2026
Yinsheng Payment has been fined over CNY 15 million, its third major penalty, signalling continued strict supervision of China's payments sector.
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