US Claims ASML's Top Chip Tool May Be in China; ASML Denies It
TechCrunch AI39 days agoRegulationU.S. authorities have raised concerns that ASML's most advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment — critical for producing leading-edge chips — may have ended up in China, potentially violating export controls. ASML, the Dutch lithography monopoly, denies the allegation. The company's argument rests on commercial self-interest: risking its export licenses to serve a Chinese customer would be existentially damaging to its global business.
Rapidus Signs MoUs with UK and Italian Research Bodies to Advance 2nm Mass Production
INSIDE 硬塞 AI41 days agoBusinessJapanese national chipmaker Rapidus has signed memoranda of understanding with semiconductor research institutions in the UK and Italy, aiming to enhance its manufacturing technology and expand its customer base. The move is part of Rapidus's broader strategy to achieve mass production of 2nm chips by 2027. Japanese minister Sanae Takaichi's overseas visit reportedly helped facilitate the partnerships.
Coherent Breaks Ground on Expanded Texas Facility, Scaling AI's Optical Backbone
NVIDIA Blog41 days agoBusinessCoherent has broken ground on an expanded manufacturing facility in Sherman, Texas, scaling production of the lasers, optical components, and compound semiconductors that physically interconnect AI systems. The Sherman campus hosts what Coherent describes as the world's first 6-inch indium phosphide wafer fabrication line, a key enabler of high-speed optical transceivers for GPU clusters. The expansion reflects surging demand for optical networking components as AI infrastructure buildouts strain existing supply chains.
China Plans 2 Trillion Yuan National AI Computing Network, 80% Domestic-Sourcing Threshold Hits NVIDIA★ 76
INSIDE 硬塞 AI48 days agoHardwareChina is reportedly preparing to spend about RMB 2 trillion on a nationwide AI compute network. The plan would require 80% domestic sourcing for AI chips and software, aiming to accelerate technological self-reliance and reduce dependence on U.S. suppliers. If implemented, the policy could largely sideline NVIDIA from core deployments and reshape global AI hardware supply chains, including pressure on Taiwanese suppliers.
Mistral AI raises €1.7B to accelerate technological progress with AI★ 76
Mistral AI News50 days agoBusinessMistral AI announced a €1.7B Series C funding round at an €11.7B post-money valuation. The round is led by semiconductor equipment maker ASML Holding NV, with participation from existing investors including NVIDIA and Andreessen Horowitz. Mistral says the funding will support frontier AI research, custom decentralized AI solutions, and work on complex engineering and industrial challenges.
TSMC Buys High-NA EUV but Delays Mass Production, Raises Capex to $56B★ 72
INSIDE 硬塞 AI54 days agoHardwareAt TSMC’s shareholder meeting, the company said it has purchased High-NA EUV equipment but has not yet moved it into mass production due to high costs. TSMC also raised capital expenditure to $56 billion, signaling continued heavy investment in advanced manufacturing capacity. CEO C.C. Wei also pledged more than 30% annual growth in dividends and employee bonuses, while saying the company must expand its social responsibility efforts.
Xcena raises $135M betting AI’s bottleneck is memory, not compute
TechCrunch AI60 days agoHardwareSouth Korean chip startup Xcena raised a $135 million Series B at a $570 million valuation, bringing total funding to $185 million. The company argues AI inference is increasingly constrained by memory movement, not just GPU compute. Its prototype MX1 chip uses CXL to process data closer to DRAM, with Samsung foundry mass production planned by late 2026 and revenue targeted for 2027.