Singapore-based cloud computing company Megaspeed International says Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang, whose relationship with former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang sparked US national security concerns, left the company last year. The firm, under scrutiny for allegedly shipping advanced AI chips to China in breach of export restrictions, also announced an internal investigation led by external lawyers.
In a statement, Megaspeed said it ran a "legitimate and lawful business" and that it was aware of media reports containing claims "that are not supported by verifiable evidence". The company did not address specific allegations but said it had retained external legal counsel to conduct a thorough internal investigation. It also said Alice Huang left Megaspeed effective August 30, 2025, and currently has no role with the company, declining to comment on her personal matters.
Megaspeed, a customer and cloud partner of Nvidia, has faced scrutiny for months over allegations that it circumvented US export controls to route large quantities of advanced chips to Chinese companies. Last December, it said there was no evidence of illicit transfers. Singapore's government said last week that it initiated an investigation into Megaspeed in February 2025, including possible false declarations related to server purchases. Authorities also investigated Alice Huang, questioning her and withholding her passport. They later concluded there was insufficient evidence that she had committed a crime, though they suspected she had provided inaccurate information to downplay her role at the company.
An earlier New York Times report suggested US officials believed Alice Huang was a Chinese spy recruited to potentially influence Nvidia to make its advanced chips more available to China. Nvidia announced on Thursday that Jensen Huang was stepping down as chief executive. US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department had not concluded whether Alice Huang was a spy. President Donald Trump said he didn't know if that had been determined yet. Beijing rejected the allegations as unsubstantiated. The Associated Press has been unable to reach Alice Huang for comment.
Despite corporate records showing Huang was no longer listed as a director and her shares had been transferred, a report by short seller Culper Research in May cited a Megaspeed employee as saying she was "actually still our boss" and remained involved in daily operations.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case underscores the challenges of enforcing US export controls on advanced AI chips, with Singapore as a potential transshipment hub.
- The alleged relationship between a foreign executive and a Chinese national raises new national security questions about the vulnerability of key figures in the tech industry.
- The outcome of investigations could reshape how US companies and their partners manage ties to Chinese entities and individuals.
Background
Megaspeed is a Singapore-based cloud computing company that began as the overseas arm of a Chinese video game developer. It became a customer and cloud partner of Nvidia. The US has imposed export restrictions on advanced AI chips to China to prevent their use in military applications. Megaspeed has been under investigation by US authorities and Singapore's government over alleged supply of chips to Chinese companies. The relationship between Alice Huang and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang intensified scrutiny.
Key Perspectives
- Megaspeed International: Says it runs a legitimate business and that Alice Huang left the company last year.
- US Justice Department: Attorney General Todd Blanche says it has not concluded whether Alice Huang was a Chinese spy.
- President Donald Trump: Says it hasn't been determined if she is a spy.
- Beijing: Rejects the allegations as unsubstantiated.
- Singapore government: Investigated Alice Huang and found insufficient evidence of a crime, but suspected she provided inaccurate information about her role.
What to Watch
- The findings of Megaspeed's internal investigation, which may clarify whether chips were illegally transferred.
- Whether US authorities gather enough evidence to charge Alice Huang formally.
- The impact on Nvidia's business relationships and leadership after Jensen Huang's departure.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedMegaspeed said Alice Huang left the company last year.Just In: “Singapore-based Megaspeed says Chinese citizen Alice Huang left the company last year.”
- SupportedMegaspeed announced an internal investigation led by external lawyers.Just In: “Megaspeed, which is under scrutiny over alleged transfers of advanced Nvidia chips to Chinese companies, also announced an internal investigation led by outside lawyers.”
- SupportedLast December, Megaspeed said there was no evidence of illicit chip transfers.Just In: “Last December, it said there was "no evidence" of illicit chip transfers.”
- SupportedThe Justice Department had not concluded whether Alice Huang was a spy.Just In: “US Attorney General Todd Blanche said, however, that the Justice Department had not concluded whether Alice Huang was a Chinese spy.”
- SupportedMegaspeed said it ran a “legitimate and lawful business.”Just In: “The company said it ran a "legitimate and lawful business"”
- SupportedMegaspeed said media reports contained claims “that are not supported by verifiable evidence.”Just In: “was aware of media reports containing claims about its business, supply chain and global operations "that are not supported by verifiable evidence".”
- SupportedAlice Huang left Megaspeed effective August 30, 2025, and currently has no role with the company.Just In: “Alice Huang "left Megaspeed effective August 30, 2025, and currently has no role with the company," the statement said.”
- SupportedMegaspeed has faced scrutiny over allegations that it circumvented US export restrictions to route large quantities of advanced chips to Chinese companies.Just In: “Megaspeed has faced scrutiny in recent months, including from US authorities, over allegations that it circumvented US export restrictions to route large quantities of advanced chips to Chinese companies.”
- SupportedSingapore’s government said it initiated an investigation into Megaspeed in February 2025, including possible false declarations related to server purchases.Just In: “Singapore's government said last week it initiated an investigation into Megaspeed in February 2025, including possible "false declarations in relation to the purchase of servers".”
- SupportedSingapore authorities concluded there was insufficient evidence that Alice Huang had committed a crime.Just In: “They later concluded there was insufficient evidence that she had committed a crime, despite suspecting she had provided "inaccurate" information to downplay her role at the company.”
- SupportedAn earlier New York Times report suggested US officials believed Alice Huang was a Chinese spy recruited to potentially influence Nvidia to make advanced chips more available to China.Just In: “An earlier New York Times report suggested US officials believed Alice Huang was a Chinese spy recruited to potentially influence Nvidia to make its advanced chips more available to China.”
- SupportedA May Culper Research report cited a Megaspeed employee saying Alice Huang was “actually still our boss” and remained involved in daily operations.Just In: “short seller Culper Research cited a Megaspeed employee in a report released this May as saying Alice Huang was "actually still our boss" and remained involved in daily operations.”