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
Cryptocurrency
Vietnam Proposes New Penalties Regime for Crypto Market Violations
21/05/2025
A new draft decree proposes fines for violations in the cryptocurrency sector, including market manipulation and unlicensed operations.
Anti-Money Laundering
Bangladesh to Establish Fund for Recovered Laundered Money
21/05/2025
Bangladesh is taking steps to recover laundered funds, with plans to allocate the money to affected banks and the nation’s poor.
Payments & Settlements
RBI Urges Banks to Boost Activity in Call Money Market
20/05/2025
RBI urges banks to boost call money market to ensure monetary policy changes effectively influence borrowing costs.
Conduct, Culture & Accountability
Korea Revises Audit Laws to Reward Strong Governance
20/05/2025
Companies recognised for strong accounting and auditing governance will be exempt from having to rotate auditors for three years.
Credit Risk
FSS Korea Targets Savings Banks in Bad Debt Cleanup
20/05/2025
FSS Korea has launched inspections into OK Savings Bank and its peers over delayed bad debt clearance.
Market Abuse
Former TSE Employee and Father Sentenced in Insider Trading Case
19/05/2025
Both were sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, and fined after being convicted of insider trading.
Anti-Money Laundering
AUSTRAC Fines Cointree for Late Suspicious Transaction Reports
18/05/2025
Crypto exchange penalised for failing to submit SMRs on time on four occasions. AUSTRAC CEO said timely reporting is critical.
Sustainable Finance
Philippines Unveils $4.5m Initiative to Drive Nature-Based Enterprise Growth
16/05/2025
The programme includes the establishment of a climate finance lab and climate data platforms for research in Nature-Based Solutions finance.
Tokenisation
Thailand to Issue Digital Investment Tokens in $150m Trial
15/05/2025
Thailand is launching its first digital investment tokens in a $150m trial aimed at modernising fundraising and expanding access to retail investors.
Structural Regulation
Māori Face Persistent Barriers to Capital Access, RBNZ Says
15/05/2025
RBNZ bulletin highlights persistent financial barriers for Māori entrepreneurs, including land collateral constraints and trust deficits.
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