Short Seller Flagged Jensen Huang Spy Ties Six Months Early
Original: A short seller flagged Nvidia CEO’s ties to a suspected Chinese spy six months before the scandal
Why This Matters
Signals how export control evasion and foreign influence on key AI executives intersect.
Culper Research's May 2026 report flagged Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's 'uncomfortably close' relationship with Alice Huang of Singapore chip buyer Megaspeed, now suspected of being a Chinese government spy.
Six months before the Nvidia spy scandal broke publicly, short seller Culper Research had already raised red flags. In a May 13, 2026 report announcing a short position on Nvidia, the New York-based firm described Jensen Huang's relationship with Alice Huang — an executive at Singapore-based chip buyer Megaspeed — as 'uncomfortably close,' noting he was spotted partying and socializing with her multiple times. Some Nvidia employees reportedly wondered if they had a 'special relationship.'
The Nvidia CEO admitted to an extramarital affair over the weekend. Nvidia has since opened a formal internal investigation. U.S. intelligence officials believe Alice Huang was recruited by the Chinese government to gather intelligence on Jensen Huang and influence his stance on U.S. export controls for advanced AI chips.
Culper's report went further, alleging that Megaspeed — a major chip buyer in Southeast Asia — was secretly backed by Alibaba through shell companies, and that restricted China chip sales were being rerouted through the region. Financial records it cited showed Megaspeed's total liabilities and equity jumped from $33 million at end of 2023 to roughly $3 billion by end of 2024, largely from unidentified refundable deposits. The Financial Times subsequently reported that documents show Alibaba lent money to Megaspeed through subsidiaries. Culper's chip diversion allegations remain unverified independently.