Manus AI is one of the most popular AI agent startups around, recently raising $75 million at a half-billion-dollar evaluation in a round led by Benchmark.But 2 unnamed sources informed Semafor that the financial investment is now under review by the U.S.
Treasury Department over its compliance with 2023 limitations on purchasing Chinese companies.Benchmarks lawyers cleared the investment due to the fact that Manus isnt technically establishing its own AI designs, but is instead a wrapper around existing ones, Semafor reported.Those attorneys likewise concluded Manus is not China-based because its included in the Cayman Islands.
(Thats a typical structure utilized by Chinese companies, like Alibaba, to access foreign capital.)Criteria has attracted criticism for its Manus investment from Founders Fund partner Delian Asparouhov, who posted on X wow, actions have effects?.
Standard, Manus, and Treasury didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.