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
Capital / Liquidity
Korea Signals Easing of Bank-Industry Separation Rules to Boost Tech Investment
06/10/2025
Seoul is considering relaxing long-standing regulations to allow greater investment by financial firms into strategic sectors like semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
ESG / Sustainability
Philippines Grants First Green Equity Label to Maynilad Ahead of IPO
06/10/2025
Water utility Maynilad has become the first recipient of the Philippines' new Green Equity label under a pioneering regional framework.
Securities / Derivatives
Philippines SEC to Fast Track Capital Raising for Agribusiness
06/10/2025
The new SEC FARMS programme aims to streamline securities registration and allows agribusinesses to raise up to PHP 500 million per project.
Securities / Derivatives
South Korea to Tighten Disclosure Rules for Listed Company Treasury Stock
03/10/2025
FSC Korea will lower the reporting threshold and increase the frequency of disclosures to boost shareholder value.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Thailand to Expand Crypto ETF Rules, Seeks Stronger Oversight
03/10/2025
The Thai SEC is drafting rules for domestic funds to offer crypto basket ETFs from early next year while also pushing for a bill to expand its oversight of capital markets.
Fintech / Regtech
SEBI Launches Validated UPI Payment System to Combat Fraud
03/10/2025
SEBI has rolled out a new verified payment system to protect investors from unauthorised fund collections.
APRA Tells Underperforming Super Funds to Merge or Exit
03/10/2025
Australia's prudential regulator has warned some super funds they face heightened scrutiny and must devise credible plans or leave the industry.
Enforcement
India to Block 25 Offshore Crypto Platforms for AML Non-compliance
03/10/2025
FIU-IND has ordered the blocking of platforms including CEX.IO, BitMex, and Poloniex for regulatory non-compliance.
Capital / Liquidity
BB Relaxes Reporting Rules to Attract Foreign Investment
02/10/2025
The move scraps the requirement for immediate reporting of temporary foreign investment accounts, aiming to facilitate overseas capital inflows.
Enforcement
Philippines Freezes More Assets, Signs New Pact in Widening Graft Probe
02/10/2025
Regulators have frozen assets worth PHP 2.9 billion and formalised cooperation with a new anti-graft body.
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