Mark Johnston

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    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

    Reporting & Disclosures

    China Urges Financial Sector to Link Green Trade Finance to Carbon Footprint Data

    04/11/2025

    New MOFCOM guidelines encourage financial institutions to create services based on carbon accounting, backed by a new national database and standards.

    Structural Regulation

    Philippines SEC Proposes Tighter Interest Rate Caps for Lenders

    03/11/2025

    Philippines SEC aims to curb predatory practices by expanding loan coverage and setting new ceilings on interest, fees, and penalties.

    AI Risk & Governance

    Indonesia Drafts Legal Roadmaps for AI and New Tech in Digital Finance

    03/11/2025

    Government preparing legal foundations for AI and semiconductors to support financial innovation, enhance security, and ensure data sovereignty.

    Credit Risk

    Indonesia Proposes Extending MSME Bad Loan Write-Off Policy

    03/11/2025

    Indonesia's OJK seeks to extend bad debt elimination programme to banks to accelerate recovery in the MSME sector.

    Stablecoins

    Taiwan Central Bank Seeks Oversight on Stablecoin Licensing, Warns of Risks

    03/11/2025

    Taiwan central bank advises regulator on reserve requirements, deposit risks, and its own role in licensing as Taiwan drafts new virtual asset law.

    Structural Regulation

    LME Fines Mizuho Unit $350k for Systemic OTC Reporting Failures

    03/11/2025

    The London Metal Exchange penalised the Mizuho unit for failing to report affiliate OTC positions for over two years due to internal control deficiencies.

    Anti-Money Laundering

    Thailand Eyes New Digital Asset, Banking Rules Amid Scam Infiltration Probe

    03/11/2025

    Regulators confirm listed firms under scrutiny as AMLO seizes THB 350 million in assets linked to cross-border networks.

    Stablecoins

    Kyrgyzstan Advances Digital Asset Framework with Stablecoin Launch and CBDC Pilot

    03/11/2025

    Kyrgyzstan has introduced the som-pegged KGST stablecoin and directs its central bank to begin a three-phase digital som pilot.

    Structural Regulation

    Sri Lanka Launches Registry for Movable Asset Lending

    03/11/2025

    The new system, based on the 2024 Secured Transactions Act, allows lenders to register security interests in movable and intangible collateral.

    Credit Risk

    Korea's 'New Leap' Bad Bank Buys $3.79B of Debt in First Purchase

    03/11/2025

    State fund halts collections on debt from 340,000 individuals and prepares to buy delinquent loans from private financial institutions.

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