Vistra 2030: compliance solutions for the ‘squeezed middle’ in a complex global landscape

As a global leader in a mid-sized MNC you know what it’s like to have big ambitions and limited resources. It’s your job to drive growth, outpace your competitors and deliver innovation, all while juggling complex regulatory demands and an uncertain economic environment.

You may not have the deep benches or the deep pockets of the Fortune 500 and you’re unlikely to be able to move as fast as a start-up. Instead, you’re caught somewhere in the ‘squeezed’ middle: accountable for every compliance decision, every cross-border risk and every organisational hiccup, only with less margin for error and fewer resources to absorb the shocks of volatile global trading conditions.

At Vistra, we understand the pressures of ambitious mid-sized companies. And we’ve made it our mission to remove the roadblocks that stand in the way of global growth.

Our latest Vistra 2030 report measured the sentiment of 250 executives in China, Hong Kong and Singapore, capturing their evolving priorities as they navigate the high stakes world of global compliance in a new era of globalisation.

The compliance crunch in Asia’s ‘squeezed middle’

For mid-sized MNCs, the world of cross-border compliance is a high-stakes game that carries an existential risk. International expansion is an important avenue for revenue growth but falling foul of complex regulatory standards can result in financial, reputational and operational damage.

Our report confirms a painful truth: that keeping up with global regulations is one of the most challenging aspects of business for Asia’s ‘squeezed middle’. They face the same regulatory scrutiny as much larger organisations but they lack the in-house expertise and technological capability to implement compliance solutions at scale. The result? An ever-growing gap between what they are expected to deliver and what they can realistically achieve.

The data shows that the challenges of staying on top of changing rules differ across industries and countries. Companies in Hong Kong and Singapore struggle to keep up with all requirements, as do banks, investment management companies and corporate service providers. Chinese companies worry about fulfilling anti-money-laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) obligations, while family offices and consulting firms have data protection concerns.

Though regulatory concerns vary, the message is the same: the ground beneath leaders’ feet is shifting and the name of the game is adaptive resilience.

AI: a game-changer for ‘squeezed middle’ companies

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one solution helping to level the playing field for mid-sized companies striving to keep pace with evolving regulations. What was once a promising frontier is now a critical tool in an organisation’s compliance toolkit. AI-powered systems monitor regulatory updates across jurisdictions, analyse complex legal texts using natural language processing and identify compliance gaps through automated audits. U.S. companies lead the way in AI adoption, with the UK and Asia-Pacific rapidly driving further innovation.

As Vistra’s Hailiang Zhang observes, “The rapid advancement of machine learning and natural language processing has accelerated AI adoption, enabling firms to boost productivity and compliance effectiveness.” 

Executives surveyed by Vistra see a clear payoff in AI adoption in streamlined legal entity management, automated data handling, and stronger risk controls all delivered at a scale and price point that makes sense for ‘squeezed middle’ businesses.

Redefining success: balancing growth and compliance

Despite the many benefits of AI, regulatory uncertainty remains a concern, especially in markets like Hong Kong, where frameworks are still evolving. 

As Hailiang explains, “At Vistra we see AI as an augmentative tool supporting our experts’ knowledge. In compliance-focused operations, AI must be carefully governed to maximise benefits while mitigating risks.”

In a world where regulatory complexity and economic uncertainty are the new normal, success for mid-sized MNCs is being redefined. It’s no longer just about scale or speed, it’s about how effectively you can leverage new technologies with proactive compliance strategies, while maintaining the agility to seize new opportunities as they arise.

Vistra supports the ‘squeezed middle’ 

Vistra understands the pressures that medium-sized enterprises face as they balance ambitious expansion plans with complex regulatory requirements.

We empower clients with tailored compliance solutions, cutting-edge technology, and deep expertise to simplify cross-border operations. Our mission is to remove the friction that stands in the way of progress. We take care of the non-core, non-discretionary administrative tasks, freeing up clients to focus on driving growth.

In March 2025, we launched our own AI compliance assistant, Geni, as part of Vistra’s Global Expansion Platform (GEP).  Geni functions as a 24/7 digital assistant that can perform tasks rapidly, freeing up significant time and resources for clients. The GEP provides a unified view of global entities and compliance deadlines, automates and simplifies corporate actions and seamlessly connects clients to Vistra’s extensive network of over 9,000 global experts.

No hidden risks. No surprises. Just a true partnership that empowers our clients to turn today’s compliance and technology challenges into an immediate competitive advantage.

Ready to streamline your global compliance journey?

Contact Vistra today to discover how we help the ‘squeezed middle’ overcome compliance challenges, reduce risk, and thrive in the evolving international landscape.

Download the full Vistra 2030 report here