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
Big Picture
Digital Dollar Project Calls for US Leadership on CBDC Standard Setting
30/01/2023
The US’s cautious approach to CBDCs could negatively impact the domestic economy, threaten the dollar’s dominance and have implications for sanctions evasion.
Fintech / Regtech
BOJ Examines Use of Privacy Enhancing Technologies for CBDC
29/01/2023
A CBDC could be supported by the use of privacy-enhancing technologies to anonymise data while still allowing for AML/CFT analysis, the BOJ says.
Big Picture
Tokenisation Can Threaten Financial System Stability: Denis Beau
25/01/2023
Banque de France official says tokenisation increases operational risks, especially cyber risks, and needs to be regulated “as swiftly as possible”.
Capital / Liquidity
EU Faces Industry Opposition on Proposed Commission Ban
24/01/2023
Financial industry associations say a ban on commissions paid to financial advisers for selling financial products would harm consumers.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Crypto Firms Team Up to Accelerate Climate Action
19/01/2023
The partnership comprises the GBBC, Eqo Networks, BxCi, Solana Foundation, Ripple, Regen Network, and Climate Collective.
Market Infrastructure
India Considers Law to Curb Unfair Practices by Big Tech
18/01/2023
The proposal would aim to prevent anti-competitive behaviour by dominant online platforms, similar to the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
Capital / Liquidity
RBI Tightens Rules on Ownership of Bank Shares
17/01/2023
The rules are intended to ensure control and ownership stay “well-diversified” and major shareholders are ‘fit and proper’.
Crypto / Digital Assets
UK to Launch Digital Currency Consultations in Coming Weeks
15/01/2023
One consultation will cover the attributes of a digital pound. The other will cover the UK’s approach to regulating crypto and DeFi.
Market Infrastructure
RBI Working to Mitigate Risks from ESMA Decision on Indian CCPs
05/01/2023
The RBI said it is engaging with European regulators and discussing “alternate arrangements” to avert a market disruption that could result from ESMA’s derecognition of Indian CCPs.
Crypto / Digital Assets
BIS Papers Explore DeFi Benefits, Risks, and Systemic ‘Fragility’
22/12/2022
Regulators should address DeFi risks with globally consistent regulatory frameworks. Collateral liquidations in DeFi lead to lasting price impacts.
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