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
Crypto / Digital Assets
Korea Forms New Advisory Committee to Attract Foreign Capital
04/12/2025
Deputy PM Koo Yoon-chul said the government aims to create an environment that supports greater inflows of foreign investment funds.
Capital / Liquidity
NBFI Growth Creates Uncertainty in Monetary Policy Transmission: BIS
04/12/2025
Rapid growth of investment funds and bond markets requires central banks to adopt gradual yet flexible policy approaches to manage transmission risks.
Securities / Derivatives
China Expands List of Assets Eligible for Investment by Infrastructure REITs
04/12/2025
China’s NDRC has updated its eligible asset list for 2025, adding specific conditions for energy, commercial and consumption projects.
Enforcement
China Hands Suspended Death Sentence to Former Regulator, Former Bank President
04/12/2025
Top judicial bodies warn of severe punishment when damage from corrupt practices to the state and public interest is exceptionally grave.
Fintech / Regtech
China to Give Public Security Officials Powers to Conduct Cyber Inspections
03/12/2025
2018 rules will be updated to institute annual cyber and data security checks on operators of critical information infrastructure by public security authorities.
Securities / Derivatives
FSS Korea to Review FI Practices for Disclosing FX Risk to Retail Investors
03/12/2025
The FSS will inspect how firms explain currency risks to individual investors, in light of the persistent weakness facing the Korean won against the US dollar.
Securities / Derivatives
TAIFEX Sets Implementation Date for After-Hours Position Management Rules
03/12/2025
New operational windows for general and after-hours trading take effect on 8 December, though specific position netting procedures remain pending.
Securities / Derivatives
Korea Proposes Record Penalties for ELS Mis-selling by Banks
03/12/2025
The FSS has notified five banks of record penalties totalling KRW 2 trillion over mis-sold derivatives, threatening capital ratios.
Securities / Derivatives
Korean Lawmakers Agrees on New Dividend Tax Regime
02/12/2025
South Korean lawmakers agree on dividend tax reforms to incentivise shareholder returns while deadlock remains on corporate tax rate increases.
Securities / Derivatives
Pakistan Launches Council to Overhaul Capital Market Taxes
02/12/2025
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb orders comprehensive tax review and establishes working groups to shift economy from bank reliance to market-based financing.
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