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
Russian National Receives Light Sentence for Laundering Ransomware Proceeds
18/04/2023
Denis Dubnikov laundered money for the Ryuk ransomware gang, but pleaded guilty and cooperated with investigators.
Fintech / Regtech
Japan’s Big Three Banks Embrace Generative AI Chatbots
18/04/2023
The adoption of AI chatbots by Japan’s top banks could spur other major Japanese companies to follow suit, as generative AI technology becomes increasingly popular.
Fintech / Regtech
UK Regulators Announce Next Steps for Open Banking Regime
18/04/2023
A new body will be created to boost the uptake of open banking in the UK and extend its benefits to other sectors of the economy.
Crypto / Digital Assets
UK Regulator to Impose Limits on Stablecoin Payments
18/04/2023
The BOE and the FCA will propose new rules by year-end to ensure stablecoins are redeemable in fiat money and do not threaten financial stability.
AML / KYC
Hong Kong Police Bust SIM Card Fraud Ring Linked to Triads
16/04/2023
The suspects registered SIM cards with fake IDs and sold them to scammers who created social media accounts to lure victims.
AML / KYC
US Sentences Man Who Stole Bitcoin from Silk Road to Prison
15/04/2023
The DOJ said James Zhong executed a scheme to trick Silk Road’s withdrawal system and steal 50,000 Bitcoin in 2012.
Market Infrastructure
UK Authorities Issue Statement on Upcoming Cessation of USD LIBOR Panel
13/04/2023
The statement emphasises the importance of active transition and reminds participants that synthetic LIBOR can only be used as a temporary bridging tool.
Big Picture
BIS Bulletin Examines Stablecoins and Tokenised Deposits
12/04/2023
A new BIS bulletin says private tokenised money should be configured appropriately to ensure “singleness of money”.
AML / KYC
EU-Funded Report Explores Crypto Use in Darknet Markets
12/04/2023
Law enforcement needs training, resources, technology and cooperation to effectively investigate darknet markets, which grew 469-fold between 2011 and 2020.
Big Picture
Report Examines Policy Implications of US Bank Bailouts
11/04/2023
Congressional Research Service report examines policy issues raised by the systemic risk exception invoked for SVB and Signature Bank.
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