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
Stablecoins
South Korea Stablecoin Bill Delayed Due to FSC-BOK Disagreement
12/12/2025
South Korea misses legislative deadline for stablecoin framework as central bank and financial regulator clash over bank equity mandates and oversight.
Conduct, Culture & Accountability
FSS Korea Targets Succession Planning in Governance Push
12/12/2025
The FSS has launched a governance task force and is demanding that boards include specialists in IT and consumer protection, citing recent data breaches and misselling scandals.
Emerging Prudential Risks
Taiwan Officials Seek to Double Capacity of National Stabilisation Fund
12/12/2025
The fund’s executive committee seeks to raise commercial bank borrowing limits to combat volatility as market capitalisation and foreign participation soar.
Emerging Prudential Risks
S. Korea to Launch New Task Force to Stem Won Slide
11/12/2025
Seoul heightens scrutiny on securities firms and exporters while considering unprecedented debt issuance by the National Pension Service to stabilise the KRW.
Market Abuse
S. Korea Indicts Ex-Reporter, Securities Staff in Front-Running Case
11/12/2025
Seoul prosecutors and regulators crack down on market manipulation involving media professionals, seizing assets and pursuing broader investigations.
Anti-Money Laundering
Korea Mandates Detailed Funding Disclosures for Foreign Property Investors
11/12/2025
South Korea to require foreign homebuyers to identify overseas financial institutions and prove residency under new anti-speculation rules effective 10 February.
Capital Adequacy
China Cuts Capital Charges for Insurers to Spur Long-Term Equity Investment
10/12/2025
The NFRA has lowered risk weightings for insurers’ stock holdings to cultivate “patient capital.”
Anti-Money Laundering
S. Korea to Unify Remittance Limits, Launch Real-Time FX Monitoring
10/12/2025
The Ministry of Economy and Finance will abolish the designated bank system in 2026, levelling the playing field for non-bank operators under a new oversight framework.
Conduct, Culture & Accountability
FSS Korea Overhauls Financial Consumer Service Charter
10/12/2025
The regulator’s first full revision of the charter in 24 years emphasises preventive supervision and swift dispute resolution for financial consumers.
Structural Regulation
S. Korean Lawmakers Propose Measures to Strengthen KOSDAQ Market
10/12/2025
Lawmakers and industry experts call for a massive liquidity injection and structural reforms to address the junior bourse’s high volatility and low institutional participation.
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