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
Structural Regulation
China Eases Foreign Investment Rules, Lifts Property Curbs
23/09/2025
Beijing is lifting a long-standing ban on foreign companies purchasing residential property for non-self-use as part of a broader package of reforms.
Credit Risk
Bangladesh Eases Loan Repayment Rules Amid Record Defaults
22/09/2025
BB has introduced new facilities to ease repayment for troubled borrowers, a move welcomed by bankers but flagged as a credit risk.
Credit Risk
India Considers Easing Bank Lending Caps to Boost Infrastructure Finance
22/09/2025
Regulators are reportedly discussing relaxing a crisis-era rule on large corporate exposures amid a government push for major project funding.
Structural Regulation
Indonesia Mulls Central Bank Overhaul, Stoking Independence Fears
21/09/2025
Proposed law would expand Bank Indonesia’s growth mandate and grant parliament powers to dismiss board members.s, rattling financial markets.
Cybersecurity
FSS Korea Demands CEO Accountability After Lotte Card Data Breach
19/09/2025
FSS Korea governor warns of “zero-tolerance” and severe penalties for cybersecurity failures following a string of hacking incidents.
Supervision & Enforcement
Korea to Overhaul Corporate Crime Laws, Ease “Breach of Trust” Penalties
19/09/2025
The government plans to reform thousands of economic criminal penalties to spur investment and remove “regulatory spider webs” hindering business.
Conduct, Culture & Accountability
FSS Korea Expands PE Fund Probe, Targeting Pension Fund Links
19/09/2025
South Korea’s financial regulator is intensifying inspections of private equity fund managers, signalling a new focus on social responsibility.
Stablecoins
Koscom Eyes Stablecoin Business as Landmark Regulation Looms
19/09/2025
Korea Exchange subsidiary files won-stablecoin trademarks as financial authorities prepare to introduce a comprehensive digital asset regulatory framework in October.
Market Risk
Taiwan Insurers Seek Regulatory Relief Amid Surging Forex Losses
19/09/2025
Taiwanese life insurers are lobbying for accounting rule changes to mitigate foreign exchange losses as the local currency strengthens.
Anti-Bribery & Corruption
China to Prosecute Another Former ICBC President in Corruption Crackdown
18/09/2025
Xu Jie, former president of ICBC's Henan branch, has been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party as China's anti-graft campaign continues to target high-level finance officials.
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