A Singapore-based data center executive reportedly funneled information to Beijing while maintaining ties to Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA).
U.S. officials determined that Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, was a Chinese intelligence asset, according to a New York Times report on Thursday. Officials had previously suspected Huang was helping China circumvent restrictions on advanced AI chips. Subsequent surveillance allegedly indicated she was also transmitting information directly to Beijing.
The surveillance reportedly documented a close relationship between Huang and Jensen Huang, raising questions about whether she obtained insight into Nvidia’s operations or U.S. policy toward China.
A Chinese businesswoman and investor, Ms. Huang, rose to a senior position at Megaspeed, a company suspected by U.S. officials of helping China circumvent export restrictions to access Nvidia computing power. The Commerce Department began investigating Megaspeed in late 2024 after an inspection of its Malaysian data center found Nvidia equipment still packed in boxes, raising suspicions about how the chips were being handled.
President Donald Trump received a briefing about the intelligence findings about one year ago but decided against taking action. Officials reportedly believed intervention could disrupt chip sales and broader trade relations with China, according to the report.
Companies connected to Huang continued purchasing Nvidia chips this year, the report added.
An Nvidia spokesperson said in an email statement to Benzinga that, “Megaspeed has been no different than many other regional cloud customers. Jensen’s interactions with Ms. Huang are not unusual or unexpected. Meetings with customers are part of a CEO’s job; Jensen talks with thousands of customer executives every year.” The spokesperson added, “The diversion allegations against this regional cloud were thoroughly investigated and debunked last year.”
The spokesperson said its regional cloud customers receive “ordinary business information” rather than “sensitive Nvidia trade secrets,” adding that they receive “zero information relevant to national security.” The spokesperson noted that the company was confident the U.S. government would alert it if any person posed a threat to American industry. Nvidia also said it regularly receives government updates about “parties and entities of concern” and “always act[s] accordingly.”
White House did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.
Nvidia’s China Exposure Faces Fresh Scrutiny
The findings add new scrutiny to Nvidia’s China exposure after short-seller Culper Research alleged in May that Singapore-based Megaspeed International, identified as Nvidia’s largest Southeast Asian buyer, is secretly financed by Alibaba Group Holding (NYSE:BABA) through shell companies. The report also alleged close ties between Megaspeed’s leadership and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
Culper further linked Megaspeed to a suspected server-smuggling network, citing the March 2026 DOJ indictment involving Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) and OBON Corp. The firm describes Megaspeed as the “tip of the iceberg” and flagged Aivres Systems, formerly blacklisted Inspur Systems, as a potential China-focused supply channel, raising concerns about Nvidia’s revenue exposure and the diversion of AI chips to China.
Earlier this month, Ting-Wei “Willy” Sun, a contractor for Super Micro Computer, pleaded guilty to helping illegally export Nvidia AI chip-powered servers to China as part of an alleged $2.5 billion scheme.
In June, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) invited Jensen Huang to testify before the Senate Banking Committee about Nvidia’s U.S. export-control position and China operations. Warren argued that while Chinese purchases generate profits for American companies, they could undermine U.S. national security.
Price Action: Year-to-date, Nvidia’s stock has surged 15.49%, as per Benzinga Pro. The shares dipped 0.75% to $213.77 premarket on Thursday.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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