EL7.AI
StocksMediumUpdated×3•Originally published 23 March 2026•Updated 25 March 2026•
1 min read

SMCI Shares Plunge 33% Amid $2.5 Billion AI Server Smuggling Allegations

Key Facts

1SMCI stock plunged 33% following allegations of a $2.5 billion smuggling scheme.
2The charges are specifically tied to AI servers, raising investor concerns over corporate governance.
3An indictment against a co-founder has clouded the company's growth outlook and led to stock downgrades.

Shares of Super Micro Computer (SMCI) crashed by 33% following reports of a massive $2.5 billion smuggling scheme involving AI servers. The allegations, compounded by an indictment against a company co-founder, prompted Citi analysts to slash their price target for the stock, citing heightened governance risks. This selling pressure expanded across the broader AI sector, with NVIDIA (NVDA) falling significantly from its 2025 peak. Amidst the ongoing crisis, market analysts are now identifying potential investment alternatives within the AI infrastructure space to mitigate risk. TTM Technologies (TTMI) has emerged as a key alternative for investors looking to distance themselves from the legal and regulatory challenges surrounding SMCI. This shift highlights a broader trend of capital reallocation as the market navigates a sharp correction in the AI hardware sector. Investors are now closely watching how alternative players might benefit from the supply chain shifts triggered by these legal developments.