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
Enforcement
Nine Sentenced in Chinese Fraud Scheme Targeting Indian Investors
26/04/2025
The perpetrators targeted Indian victims on social media and duped 66,800 of them out of INR 517 million.
Enforcement
HKPF Arrests Eight Over AI-Enabled Fraudulent Account Opening
26/04/2025
The eight arrests were part of a broader crackdown that led to 503 total arrests over a 10-day period in April.
AML / KYC
GLEIF Announces New Partnership to Boost Visibility of Chinese Firms
24/04/2025
The initiative involves mapping the LEI to data from the Chinese business information platform known as Qichacha.
Crypto / Digital Assets
BOK to Expand CBDC Pilot to Include P2P Transfers
24/04/2025
BOK is set to widen its digital currency trial by adding person-to-person transfers and a digital welfare voucher system.
Securities / Derivatives
SHFE Inks Derivatives Cooperation MoU With Gulf Exchange
22/04/2025
The collaboration covers product innovation, exchange of market development insights, research support and investor education.
Capital / Liquidity
RBI Defers Tougher LCR Rules to 2026, Easing Pressure on Banks
22/04/2025
The RBI has halved the run-off factor for retail deposits enabled with internet and mobile banking facilities, and deferred implementation to April 2026
Crypto / Digital Assets
Vietnam to Launch Pilot Crypto Trading Platform with Bybit
22/04/2025
Vietnam’s finance ministry is partnering with Bybit to test a regulated crypto trading platform in a controlled sandbox environment.
Crypto / Digital Assets
China Mulls Reforms to Facilitate Disposal of Confiscated Crypto Assets
21/04/2025
“Near consensus” is reportedly emerging on the need to allow judicial recognition of cryptocurrencies as assets and a uniform procedure for their disposal.
AML / KYC
Pakistan to Introduce Centralised Beneficial Ownership Registry
18/04/2025
The UBO registry, accessible to financial institutions, is part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to align with FATF and OECD standards.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Pakistan Moves to Regulate Virtual Assets for the First Time
17/04/2025
A national working group has developed a regulatory framework establishing rules for cryptocurrencies and related platforms.
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