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
Australia Calls for Improved Transparency on Remittance Costs
18/06/2023
A coalition of companies has called on the government to require banks to disclose all the costs of international money transfers upfront.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Crypto Lender Abra Faces Regulatory Action in Texas
17/06/2023
The Texas State Securities Board alleges that Abra has been making false statements and transferring assets to risky platforms.
Enforcement
HK Customs Arrests 23 Men for Money Laundering via Air Travel
16/06/2023
HK Customs officers seized HKD 43 million and arrested 23 men for laundering HKD 720 million via air passengers.
ESG / Sustainability
IPSASB to Develop Climate Disclosure Standard for Public Sector
15/06/2023
The IPSASB will build off the IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures standard and GRI climate-related topic standards, and produce an exposure draft in Q4 2024.
Enforcement
Bittrex Gets Court Approval to Allow Customer Withdrawals
14/06/2023
The DOJ had argued that allowing customer withdrawals would subordinate a government claim, but the court ruled in favour of Bittrex.
Crypto / Digital Assets
UBS, BOCI Issue First Digital Structured Notes for APAC Clients
14/06/2023
In collaboration with UBS, BOCI has become the first Chinese financial institution to issue a tokenised security in Hong Kong.
Securities / Derivatives
FSC Korea Unveils Planned Improvements to Accounting Rules
14/06/2023
Requirement for smaller stock companies to undergo an external audit of their accounting control systems postponed for five years.
Securities / Derivatives
SEBI to Require Registration from Execution-only Mutual Fund Platforms
14/06/2023
SEBI to require online platforms for mutual fund direct plans to obtain registration from 1 September 2023.
Fintech / Regtech
Bangladesh Bank to Issue Guidelines for Digital Banking
14/06/2023
The central bank plans to finalise a new licensing framework for digital banks this month, after consulting with stakeholders.
Sanctions
China Military Pilot Training Targeted by US Export Controls
14/06/2023
US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security added 43 entities to its Entity List for aiding China’s military modernisation programmes.
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