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
Fintech / Regtech
Dubai Establishes New Law, Regulator for Crypto Assets
16/03/2022
The new law comes as crypto firms in the UAE receive streams of requests from sanctioned Russians to liquidate billions of dollars of crypto assets.
AFCA Proposes New User-Pays Funding Model
15/03/2022
Under the new model, about 20% of AFCA members would experience a decrease in fees, while 70% would see no impact.
Capital / Liquidity
New Zealand to Revise Responsible Lending Rules
15/03/2022
The new rules, introduced in December, were designed to protect the vulnerable but are making it more difficult for borrowers to obtain loans.
Fintech / Regtech
BSP Revises Regulatory Framework for E-money Issuers
15/03/2022
E-money can refer to monetary value “electronically stored in an instrument or device” – including cash cards, prepaid cards, stored value cards or digital wallets.
Market Infrastructure
BSP Designates Two More Systemically Important Payment Systems
14/03/2022
The Philippine Domestic Dollar Transfer System and the PHP-USD Payment versus Payment System have been designated systemically important.
Capital / Liquidity
RBNZ Defers Effective Date of New Insurance Solvency Standards
10/03/2022
The interim standard will come into force on 1 January 2023. The RBNZ is also consulting on the penalties and enforcement tools it has available for supervising insurers.
Capital / Liquidity
APRA Imposes New Limits on the Use of Offshore Reinsurers
10/03/2022
Updated prudential standard sets limits on exposures to offshore reinsurers. If a life company exceeds these limits, additional capital would need to be held.
Philippine SEC Implements Caps on Loan Rates, Fees
07/03/2022
The caps were prescribed to curb predatory and abusive practices by lending and financing companies including on online platforms.
Market Infrastructure
BSP Approves Reporting Rules for Payment System Operators
07/03/2022
Compliance requires effective a management information system that enables independent validation and periodic independent review of reporting processes and procedures.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Thailand SEC Tightens Custody Rules for Digital Assets
05/03/2022
The SEC is also proposing requirements for digital asset businesses to disclose service quality information on their websites.
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