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
APRA Directs Super Platforms to Lift Product Governance Standards
08/10/2025
APRA has ordered superannuation platform trustees to urgently lift standards after a review found significant failures in investment governance, onboarding and monitoring.
Sanctions
China Using Covert State-Backed Channel to Fund Iran Oil Purchases - Report
07/10/2025
A hidden financial conduit involving state insurer Sinosure is funnelling billions in oil payments to Iran, according to reports.
Enforcement
IAG New Zealand Hit with $11.4M Penalty for Systemic Failures
07/10/2025
The FMA has secured a record penalty against the country's top insurer for misleading customers on a massive scale.
Enforcement
New Zealand Jails Adviser Over Theft from Elderly Clients
07/10/2025
The Financial Markets Authority has secured a prison sentence and a lifetime ban for a former adviser in a “gross breach of trust”.
ESG / Sustainability
RBI Proposes New Framework on Lending to Related Parties
07/10/2025
The draft directions introduce a scale-based approach for board approvals and expands the definition of related parties.
AML / KYC
Vietnam's Crypto Hub Ambition Faces Slow Start Amid Strict Rules
07/10/2025
Hanoi aims to tap a USD 19 trillion global market for tokenised assets, but strict capital requirements for its new pilot framework have so far deterred any formal applications.
Securities / Derivatives
ICMA, AFME Release Standard Bond Deal NDA Template for Emerging Markets
07/10/2025
ICMA and AFME published a template confidentiality agreement to help streamline bond offerings for emerging market and infrequent issuers.
Enforcement
Korea Moves to Toughen Penalties in Market Manipulation Cases
07/10/2025
Policymakers are seeking to use existing laws to confiscate principal funds, not just illegal profits, to create a stronger deterrent.
Bangladesh Bank Approves Ordinance to Curb Political Influence
06/10/2025
The central bank's board has cleared a new ordinance aimed at strengthening its institutional autonomy in line with IMF recommendations.
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.
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