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
Vietnam Property Tycoon has Sentence Reduced After Repaying Victims
28/04/2025
Property tycoon Truong My Lan has a life sentence for bond fraud reduced to 30 years, but is still facing execution on other charges.
Market Infrastructure
China NFRA Announces Regulatory Work Plan for 2025
28/04/2025
The work plan includes a regulatory overhaul in the trust sector, as well as the introduction of new rules on product suitability, information disclosure, cybersecurity, and custody.
Big Picture
Hong Kong Banks Could Face Surge in Bad Loans: Fitch Ratings
28/04/2025
Hong Kong’s banking sector faces a potential rise in non-performing loans due to a “lingering property sector malaise” and US tariffs.
Capital / Liquidity
Vietnam to Further Bolster Credit for Key Sectors as US Tariffs Bite
27/04/2025
The SBV is directed to maintain financial market stability and ensure credit is channelled towards sectors hit hardest by US tariffs.
Fintech / Regtech
US Criticises Indonesia Over QR Code Payment System
27/04/2025
USTR says US companies were not adequately informed about or invited to share views on QRIS policy-making.
Fintech / Regtech
Indonesia Launches Revamped “Infinity 2.0” Platform to Boost Innovation
26/04/2025
Infinity 2.0 is a revamped digital platform to foster collaboration, innovation, and cybersecurity in the digital financial sector.
Capital / Liquidity
BSEC Extends Deadline for Brokers to Provision Against Client Losses
26/04/2025
Brokers have until June to submit board-approved plans explaining how will meet the provisioning requirements by December 2025.
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.
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