Chinese AI Models Trained on Restricted NVIDIA Blackwell Chips, Report Finds
Key Facts
A report by former OpenAI researchers found that major Chinese AI models were trained using restricted NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs. SFist reported that Chinese firms, including DeepSeek, MiniMax, and Ant Group, began using these chips for training between April and October 2026, despite export bans maintained by the Trump administration.
NVDA was trading at $160.84 on November 13, 2026, while 0100.HK closed at HK$166 on November 12, 2026. In the broader semiconductor sector, AMD closed at $585.3 and INTC closed at $61.2 on November 12, 2026, while TSM was trading at $395.24 on November 13, 2026.
Latest Updates · 7
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Update: Malaysian police are investigating allegations that Megaspeed International utilized the country as a transit hub to facilitate the purchase of $4.8 billion worth of NVIDIA chips for Chinese customers. The probe focuses on the logistics routes used to bypass U.S. export restrictions on advanced semiconductor technology.
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Update: Reports allege that NVIDIA funded AI startups to purchase its own GPUs through 'circular financing' to sustain demand. NVIDIA CFO Colette Kress reportedly pushed to scale back a $250 billion deal with OpenAI and reduce the use of such financing agreements.
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Update: US officials raised concerns over an export control gap that allowed tens of thousands of restricted chips to reach Chinese entities. The breach involves hardware worth billions of dollars, highlighting ongoing challenges in enforcing technical trade restrictions.
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Update: NVIDIA lobbied U.S. officials to soften export license conditions for its H200 chips destined for China. The company specifically objected to regulatory requirements for identifying cloud computing customers.
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Update: A SemiAnalysis report revealed that over 1.5 GW of restricted NVIDIA chips reached China through a sophisticated supply network. The report identified Megaspeed International and Aperia Cloud Services in Singapore, along with a Shanghai Century Litong data center, as key entities in the logistics chain.
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Update: Documents revealed that a Chinese firm founded by Alice Huang procured smuggled NVIDIA chips which were installed at a Shanghai data center linked to Megaspeed International. The operation reportedly involved Aperia Cloud Services, a Singapore-based NVIDIA partner, to bypass established export restrictions.
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Update: Reports indicated that Singapore has received little assistance from the United States in its investigation into suspected shipments of NVIDIA chips. This development follows increased regulatory scrutiny over how restricted technologies are reaching Asian markets.