Media: Black-market prices of NVIDIA's high-end AI chips in China have doubled
According to a report by the UK's Financial Times on June 23, citing multiple Chinese chip traders, due to the continuous tightening of U.S. export controls, the black-market prices of restricted NVIDIA AI chips in China have increased by more than 100%.
The report notes that despite the U.S. government’s escalating restrictions on AI chip exports to China, substantial profit margins and strong market demand continue to sustain active black-market transactions.
Within just three months after the Trump administration tightened export controls, top-tier NVIDIA chips such as B200, H100, and H200—valued at over $1 billion—flowed into China via transit routes through multiple Southeast Asian countries. A single AI rack equipped with eight B200 chips is being sold on the black market for between 3 million and 3.5 million RMB, representing a premium of about 50%.
NVIDIA responded by stating, “There is no evidence of any transfer of AI chips,” adding that it was unaware of smuggling activities and did not participate in the sale of restricted products. Analysts suggest that the thriving black-market trade is undermining the effectiveness of U.S. export control policies and placing greater pressure on NVIDIA’s balancing act between global commercial interests and geopolitical tensions.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1868847195836490/
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