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
KRX Launching Direct Listing System for Public Funds
26/10/2025
South Korea’s new “X class” funds will trade like ETFs from 27 October, a move integrating over-the-counter and on-exchange frameworks.
Securities / Derivatives
Korea to Launch Person-Based Surveillance, Raise Unfair Trading Penalties
26/10/2025
The FSC is shifting the KRX from account-based to person-based surveillance and increasing minimum fines for unfair trading and disclosure violations.
Securities / Derivatives
TAIFEX Announces Rule Changes to Support New Weekly Stock Options
26/10/2025
Under the amended rules, TAIFEX will be permitted to list weekly contracts that commence on a Wednesday and expire on the second Wednesday thereafter.
ESG / Sustainability
Korea PE Body to Develop Principles for Socially Responsible Investment
24/10/2025
The new chairman of the Private Equity Fund Council announced the creation of a new committee that will codify principles in areas such as ESG and social value creation.
Securities / Derivatives
BSEC Finalises Margin Rules to Cleanse Market of Negative Equity - Reports
24/10/2025
Investors retreated following reports that the regulator has approved new margin rules that aim to resolve a negative equity problem in the domestic market.
Capital / Liquidity
Bank Capital Shortfall Hits Record $12.6B in Bangladesh
24/10/2025
24 banks breached Basel III requirements as the average capital ratio collapsed to 3.8 percent, prompting calls for liquidation and governance reform.
Philippine Business Groups Demand Reforms at State Pension Fund GSIS
24/10/2025
Coalition urges new accountability and transparency standards for state-owned corporations following board conflict at state pension fund GSIS.
Enforcement
Korea FSS Penalises Nine Firms for Project Finance Risk Failures
24/10/2025
Eight savings banks and credit unions were sanctioned for poor controls, bribery and embezzlement linked to real estate PF lending.
Enforcement
Korea: Losses at Saemaul Geumgo Spark Calls for Oversight Reform
24/10/2025
Eight years of embezzlement and fraud at South Korea's credit cooperatives highlight severe internal control failures and gaps in financial supervision.
AML / KYC
South Korea to Target Prince Group in Widening Fraud Probe
23/10/2025
The FSC considers restricting Prince Group amid a cross-border fraud probe, as the government pursues asset recovery and police cooperation.
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