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
AML / KYC
Wirecard Trial Begins With Defendants Blaming Each Other
14/12/2022
Former CEO Markus Braun and his co-defendants face up to 15 years in jail, though a verdict is not expected until at least 2024.
Enforcement
UK Court Convicts Three for Defrauding Libyan Sovereign Fund
13/12/2022
The fund managers structured investments in a way that generated finder fees that they funnelled through offshore shell companies, causing around $46mn to Libya.
Enforcement
US Authorities Fine NYSE-Listed ABB for South Africa Bribes
10/12/2022
The action was coordinated among US, South African and Swiss authorities. ABB also paid bribery related fines in 2004 and 2010.
Fintech / Regtech
NPCI Extends UPI Market Cap Compliance Deadline to End 2024
07/12/2022
The NPCI has for the third time extended its compliance deadline for imposing a 30 percent market cap limit on UPI payment apps.
Market Infrastructure
LME Defends March Decision to Cancel Nickel Trades
05/12/2022
The LME said a dozen of its members would have defaulted if it did not cancel the nickel trades in March 2022.
Fintech / Regtech
BNM Consults on Licensing Framework for Digital Insurers
30/11/2022
Digital insurers and takaful operators will initially be subject to a lower minimum paid-up capital requirement during a 3-5 year foundational period.
Crypto / Digital Assets
HKMA Report Assesses Spillover Risk from Asset-Backed Stablecoins
28/11/2022
The report finds that failures of stablecoins or other crypto assets pose material impacts on the traditional financial system such as the money market.
Capital / Liquidity
PBOC Cuts RRR for Banks, Lenders Offer Credit to Developers
28/11/2022
The latest measures are being somewhat overshadowed by a new round of Covid-related lockdowns and protests in several Chinese cities.
ESG / Sustainability
HKMA Report Calls Out Greenwashing by Green Bond Issuers
28/11/2022
The report shows that so-called greenwashing firms are to some extent being penalised by the market with higher re-issuance costs.
Securities / Derivatives
Canada Study Shines Spotlight on How Gamification Influences Investors
25/11/2022
In the study, participants who were rewarded with points for buying and selling stocks made 39% more trades, even though the points had “negligible value.”
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