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
Structural Regulation
Korean Lawmakers Propose Mandatory Public Tender Offer System
15/12/2025
The opposition Democratic Party of Korea proposes that the system could offer an alternative tool to defend against hostile mergers and acquisitions.
Trading & Investment
South Korea Considers Share‑Based Inheritance Tax to Curb Volatility
15/12/2025
Government reviews a proposal to allow inheritance tax payments in blue-chip stocks, which could potentially seed the new sovereign wealth fund.
Credit Risk
Philippines SEC Imposes Tighter Interest Rate Caps on Small Consumer Loans
15/12/2025
The SEC has lowered interest ceilings and introduced total cost caps to protect vulnerable borrowers from predatory lending.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
China Escalates Anti-Fraud Drive with Bounty List, Mass Myanmar Repatriations
13/12/2025
Police across multiple Chinese provinces issued arrest notices for key figures accused of recruiting personnel and managing finances for Myanmar fraud operations.
Trading & Investment
Japan Corporate Governance Push Drives Record JPY 1.3 Trillion in Block Trades
12/12/2025
Regulatory pressure to unwind cross-shareholdings spurs surge in private off-market transactions amid heightened market volatility and demand for capital efficiency.
Stablecoins
South Korea Stablecoin Bill Delayed Due to FSC-BOK Disagreement
12/12/2025
South Korea misses legislative deadline for stablecoin framework as central bank and financial regulator clash over bank equity mandates and oversight.
Conduct, Culture & Accountability
FSS Korea Targets Succession Planning in Governance Push
12/12/2025
The FSS has launched a governance task force and is demanding that boards include specialists in IT and consumer protection, citing recent data breaches and misselling scandals.
Emerging Prudential Risks
Taiwan Officials Seek to Double Capacity of National Stabilisation Fund
12/12/2025
The fund’s executive committee seeks to raise commercial bank borrowing limits to combat volatility as market capitalisation and foreign participation soar.
Emerging Prudential Risks
S. Korea to Launch New Task Force to Stem Won Slide
11/12/2025
Seoul heightens scrutiny on securities firms and exporters while considering unprecedented debt issuance by the National Pension Service to stabilise the KRW.
Market Abuse
S. Korea Indicts Ex-Reporter, Securities Staff in Front-Running Case
11/12/2025
Seoul prosecutors and regulators crack down on market manipulation involving media professionals, seizing assets and pursuing broader investigations.
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