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
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.
ESG / Sustainability
Sri Lanka Launches First Blue Bond Under New Regulatory Framework
02/10/2025
The issuance by DFCC Bank will fund ocean sustainability projects, aligning with international standards and marking a first for the nation.
Fintech / Regtech
Thailand Unveils Payments Roadmap Targeting DLT and Informal Economy
02/10/2025
The central bank has outlined a new multi-year strategy to upgrade existing payment systems and embrace emerging financial technologies.
Vietnam Overhauls ODA Framework to Accelerate Sluggish Disbursement
01/10/2025
A new decree simplifies procedures and decentralises authority to tackle project delays and boost foreign capital use.
Securities / Derivatives
Sri Lanka SEC Launches 10-year Roadmap to Overhaul Capital Markets
01/10/2025
Regulator unveils 12 key projects including stock exchange demutualisation and a new derivatives market to boost economic growth.
Fintech / Regtech
BSP to Halt New Digital Bank Applications from December
29/09/2025
The regulator has set a 30 November deadline for submissions, citing the need to balance digital innovation with financial stability.
Securities / Derivatives
South Korea to Revise Tax Rules to Support Foreign Bond Investment
29/09/2025
Seoul will exempt international depositories from withholding tax obligations to attract foreign capital ahead of a major bond index inclusion.
ESG / Sustainability
Philippines SEC Launches Southeast Asia's First Green Equity Guidelines
29/09/2025
New rules require listed firms to derive over 50 percent of revenue from sustainable activities to qualify.
ESG / Sustainability
Thailand Proposes Mandatory ISSB-Aligned Sustainability Reporting From 2027
29/09/2025
The SEC has opened a consultation on new rules for phased adoption of international sustainability disclosure standards.
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