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
Credit Risk
China Extends Bulk Bad Loan Disposal Policy to 2026 Amid Rising Defaults
08/01/2026
Regulators give banks another year to offload soured loans as lenders grapple with rising consumer defaults and deteriorating asset quality.
Payments & Settlements
China to Expand Cross-Border Fund Rules, Deepen FX Reforms in 2026
08/01/2026
The FX regulator will roll out nationwide MNC cash pooling, expand banking reforms, and call for cheaper SME hedging products.
Custody & Infrastructure
Cambodia Approves Draft Framework for Digital Asset Business Licensing
08/01/2026
Cambodia’s FSA Council has approved a draft proclamation establishing licensing requirements and operational obligations for digital asset service providers.
Cybersecurity
Korea Proposes to Ramp Up Penalties for Security Breaches at Crypto Firms
08/01/2026
Regulators propose punitive fines of up to 10 percent of revenue for security breaches and a bank-led model for won-backed stablecoins under upcoming Phase 2 legislation.
Payments & Settlements
Macau Upgrades RMB Liquidity Tools and Expands Bond Repo Access
07/01/2026
The Monetary Authority of Macau has introduced new swap facilities and bond repurchase measures following an expanded agreement with China’s central bank.
Credit Risk
BOT Opens Registration for Retail NPL Resolution Programme
07/01/2026
The new initiative aims to help over a million small-scale borrowers resolve bad debts and restore their financial standing.
Structural Regulation
Japan's Securities Industry to Form Joint Venture for Back-Office Operations
07/01/2026
The new company, backed by the JSDA and major brokerages, aims to cut costs and ease the administrative burden for smaller firms.
Cryptocurrency
Japan Minister Signals Support for Integrating Crypto into Mainstream Finance
06/01/2026
Satsuki Katayama pledges government support for integrating digital assets into traditional market infrastructure and cutting taxes to drive the “first year of digitalisation".
Cryptocurrency
Korea Mulls 20 Percent Cap on Crypto Exchange Ownership
06/01/2026
The FSC is reviewing proposals to classify top exchanges as core infrastructure, potentially forcing founders to divest billions in KRW.
Capital Adequacy
Thai SEC Suspends KuCoin Unit Over Capital Adequacy Breach
06/01/2026
Thai SEC orders halt to operations after exchange’s capital ratio fell below 60 percent of minimum requirement for five consecutive days.
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