Singapore's Role in AI Chip Trade Exposed by Nvidia Spy Scandal

Singapore is emerging as a key conduit for advanced US AI chips to China, with the Nvidia spy scandal highlighting its role. The affair revelation has exposed intermediary networks helping Chinese firms bypass US export controls. Megaspeed, linked to suspected spy Alice Huang, became Nvidia's largest Asian customer, with its balance sheet surging from $33 million in 2023 to $3 billion a year later. The firm acted as a conduit between Nvidia and Alibaba, using Malaysian subsidiaries for transfers. Singapore does not prohibit AI chip transfers to Chinese firms, though such deals can breach US rules. Nvidia is investigating whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation, while Megaspeed denies all allegations of illicit activity.