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
Trading & Investment
China Signals Further Opening of Futures Market, Eyes LNG Contracts
22/08/2025
Regulators announce plans to list new products, including liquefied natural gas, and expand foreign investor access to boost pricing power.
Credit Risk
S. Korea Expands Mandatory Debt Adjustment to Telecom Providers
20/08/2025
A cabinet-approved enforcement decree mandates telecom participation in debt workouts and allows wider use of dormant deposit interest income.
Market Abuse
KRX Proposes Individual-Based Monitoring to Curb Illegal Trading
20/08/2025
The bourse operator plans a new data submission requirement for members to better detect links between accounts held by individuals.
Market Abuse
FSS Korea to Build Surveillance System for New ATS Nextrade
20/08/2025
FSS Korea is developing a direct monitoring system for Nextrade amid rising volumes and unfair trading concerns.
Anti-Money Laundering
Vietnam Proposes Overhaul of Overseas Investment Rules
19/08/2025
Shifting oversight to the central bank, the move aims to cut red tape for investors and enhance state management through foreign exchange and AML controls.
PEPs & Sanctions
Vietnamese Banks Increase Scrutiny of Russian Transactions
19/08/2025
Banks in Vietnam are imposing stringent new documentation requirements for payments linked to Russian entities to mitigate the risk of secondary sanctions.
Sustainable Finance
Korea to Launch New Exchange to Revitalise Voluntary Carbon Market
18/08/2025
The government will announce a plan in H2 2025 to establish a new trading platform and issue guidelines to boost transparency.
Market Abuse
SEBI Flags Surge in Enforcement, Difficult Dues in Annual Report
18/08/2025
SEBI's annual report reveals a spike in settlement pleas and inspections amid record capital raising and mounting unrecovered penalties.
PEPs & Sanctions
Nepal Mandates Immediate Sanctions Freezing for Payment Firms
18/08/2025
New guidelines require immediate freezing of assets and daily screening, with financial penalties up to NPR 2 million for non-compliance.
Trading & Investment
Bangladesh Approves Draft Rules to Overhaul Equity Margin Lending
18/08/2025
New draft rules will restrict margin loans to top-tier stocks, set minimum investor equity thresholds, and impose new risk management obligations on lenders.
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