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Get the latest techy news, product launches, software updates, AI developments, and digital trends from around the world.
New FIFA–Netflix Soccer Video Game to Debut Before 2026 World Cup
FIFA and Netflix are preparing to disrupt the global sports gaming industry with a new soccer video game ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This high-profile collaboration brings together the world’s most powerful football brand and the largest streaming platform, creating massive interest among gamers and football fans.
As digital entertainment continues to evolve, this move positions both companies at the center of football, gaming, and streaming innovation.
FIFA and Netflix Form a Game-Changing Partnership
FIFA continues to rebuild its digital strategy after ending its long-term partnership with EA Sports. At the same time, Netflix continues to expand aggressively into gaming and interactive content. Together, both brands aim to redefine how fans experience soccer games.
Instead of focusing only on high-end console simulations, FIFA and Netflix want to deliver an experience that reaches a broader, global audience. As a result, the game will likely support mobile devices and offer easy-to-learn gameplay.
See More: Netflix gaming strategy to a related post in your Tech News
Why the 2026 World Cup Creates Perfect Momentum
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This tournament will attract record-breaking global audiences. Therefore, launching a soccer video game ahead of the event creates strong momentum and sustained interest.
Moreover, FIFA and Netflix can roll out World Cup-themed updates, special events, and digital content. Consequently, fans will stay engaged months before the first match begins.
See More: 2026 FIFA World Cup to a future or existing Sports News
Expected Features of the FIFA–Netflix Soccer Video Game
Although FIFA and Netflix have not released full gameplay details, early industry insights suggest a fresh and accessible approach. Instead of competing directly with realism-focused titles, the game may emphasize fun, social play, and storytelling.
Players can expect:
- Official FIFA branding and licensed teams
- Simplified controls for casual gamers
- Mobile-first or cross-platform support
- Integration with Netflix’s gaming ecosystem
Because Netflix already delivers games through its app, subscribers may access the soccer game without additional costs.
See More: Mobile gaming trends to your Techy Solutions or Tech Innovations
How Netflix’s Gaming Expansion Supports This Move
Netflix has steadily expanded into gaming over recent years. The company already offers several mobile games to its global subscribers. Therefore, adding a FIFA soccer game strengthens its position in interactive entertainment.
Furthermore, Netflix excels at storytelling. By combining football narratives, documentaries, and gameplay, the platform can offer a connected football universe that competitors struggle to match.
FIFA’s Digital Strategy After EA Sports
After parting ways with EA Sports, FIFA shifted its focus toward brand licensing and digital innovation. The organization now seeks flexible partnerships that expand fan engagement beyond traditional gaming models.
This collaboration with Netflix allows FIFA to reach millions of users instantly. As a result, FIFA strengthens its global presence while adapting to modern digital consumption habits.
See more related Tech Innovations or Sports Tech
Impact on the Global Sports Gaming Market
The FIFA–Netflix partnership could reshape the sports gaming market. Instead of relying solely on premium console releases, companies are now embracing service-based and subscription-driven models.
Consequently, other sports organizations may follow this path by blending streaming platforms with gaming experiences. Ultimately, fans benefit from easier access, innovation, and variety.
See More: Sports gaming market to your Business Category page.
FIFA and Netflix are not just launching another soccer video game. They are creating a new digital football experience designed for a global audience ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
As anticipation grows, fans should expect more announcements, gameplay previews, and release details. Without a doubt, this collaboration marks a major shift in how football, gaming, and streaming intersect.
See More: Latest tech and sports updates to your Tech News homepage.
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TikTok US Operations Shift to New Joint Venture
The social media landscape is experiencing a significant shift as ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, has reached an important agreement to transfer control of the TikTok US app to a newly formed joint venture. This strategic move marks a crucial milestone in addressing regulatory concerns and reshaping TikTok’s operations in the United States. Below, we explore the details of this agreement, its implications, and what it means for users and stakeholders alike.
ByteDance’s Strategic Shift: What the Deal Entails
ByteDance’s agreement to hand over TikTok US operations to a new joint venture represents a major pivot in its approach to managing the app’s presence in the American market. Under this deal, control of the TikTok US app will be transferred. ByteDance will relinquish control to a consortium. This consortium involves American investors and partners. This joint venture structure aims to address ongoing scrutiny from US regulators related to data privacy and national security concerns.
This decision, therefore, responds to external pressures. Moreover, it is also a proactive effort to ensure TikTok’s continued growth. Additionally, it aims for compliance within the United States. The new joint venture involves trusted US-based entities. Consequently, this is expected to provide greater transparency and oversight. Ultimately, it reassures both users and regulators.
This agreement is anticipated to usher in a new phase of innovation and expansion for TikTok US. The joint venture will have the autonomy to further tailor the app’s features, content policies, and business strategies. These adjustments will be made to the preferences and legal requirements of the American market.
Implications for TikTok Users and the Market
For millions of TikTok users across the United States, this transition promises continued access to the platform without disruption. Importantly, the new joint venture will maintain TikTok’s core user experience while enhancing data security measures to protect user information more robustly.
Furthermore, this development could positively impact the competitive landscape of social media apps. Consequently, with the joint venture’s localized control, TikTok may gain a more agile operational model, thereby allowing quicker adaptations to market trends and regulatory changes. As a result, this can lead to faster rollout of new features, enhanced customer support, and potentially more opportunities for content creators and advertisers.
From a business perspective, the deal also signals confidence in TikTok’s long-term viability in the US. It may encourage further investments and partnerships, which could boost the platform’s advertising revenue and content ecosystem significantly.
Regulatory and Security Considerations
The establishment of a joint venture to oversee TikTok US effectively addresses the concerns of US government officials regarding data privacy, surveillance, and foreign influence. Furthermore, by transferring operational control to an entity partly owned by American stakeholders, ByteDance aims to alleviate fears over data access by foreign governments.
The establishment of a joint venture to oversee TikTok US addresses the concerns of US government officials about data privacy. It also responds to worries over surveillance and foreign influence. This includes potential audits. Additionally, the joint venture will likely implement rigorous cybersecurity measures to safeguard user data against unauthorized access.
Consequently, this arrangement could serve as a model for other international tech companies. It addresses similar regulatory challenges in the US market. It demonstrates a collaborative approach to balancing innovation with national security requirements.
Related Posts: China’s ByteDance signs deal to form joint venture in step to avoid US TikTok ban
Looking Ahead: The Future of TikTok US
While ByteDance and its partners finalize the details of the joint venture, the social media community eagerly anticipates the next chapter for TikTok in the United States. Moreover, this development represents not just a structural change but also a renewed commitment to fostering a safe, engaging, and innovative platform for millions of users.
In conclusion, the transition of TikTok US operations to a new joint venture marks a pivotal moment that could redefine how global tech companies navigate complex regulatory environments. By combining international expertise with local governance, TikTok is positioning itself for sustainable growth and enhanced user trust in the competitive US market.
More Posts: Apple Announces New iOS Features and Changes in Japan
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and the new joint venture takes shape.
Apple Announces New iOS Features and Changes in Japan
Apple updates offer enhanced options for developers to distribute apps and handle payments. They also include improved safeguards to mitigate privacy and security risks posed by the MSCA.
Apple announced changes for iOS apps in Japan to follow the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA). These updates allow developers to distribute apps on other marketplaces. Additionally they also enable handling payments for digital goods outside of Apple In-App Purchase. Apple aims to minimize new privacy and security risks from this law, ensuring a safe experience for users in Japan.
Furthermore the MSCA’s requirements for alternative app marketplaces and app payments open new avenues for malware, fraud, and scams. They also introduce new privacy and security risks. Apple has worked with Japanese regulators to introduce protections from new threats including important safeguards for younger users. These protections include Notarization for iOS apps and an authorization process for app marketplaces. Additionally, there are requirements that help protect children from inappropriate content and scams.
Generally these safeguards do not eliminate the new risks. However, they are essential to Apple’s work. Henceforth, these measures ensure iOS remains the best, most secure mobile platform available in Japan. Apple will continue to engage with regulators on strengthening protections for iOS users.
Developers can learn about the new capabilities on the Apple Developer Support page . They can integrate these into their apps beginning today as part of the iOS 26.2 release.
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Apple inc. Latest Options for Developers to Distribute Apps on iOS in Japan
Undoubtedly the App Store is where every app is reviewed to meet its high bar for privacy and security. Therefore it remains the best place for iOS users in Japan to discover and download the apps they love. This includes App Store features that protect users against fraud and scams. These features empower parents to ensure their kids have age-appropriate experiences.
In this case With the MSCA’s new requirements, developers will have a new option. They can distribute iOS apps in Japan using alternative app marketplaces. These marketplaces are different from the App Store. Apple will have to authorize alternative app marketplaces. These marketplaces will need to meet ongoing requirements to serve developers and users. However, apps downloaded outside the App Store will not benefit from the same protections Apple provides through App Review. This introduces new risks for apps that contain scams, fraud, and abuse. It may also expose users to illicit, objectionable, or harmful content not allowed on the App Store.
Addressing the New Risks
Further more to address new risks, Apple will perform a baseline review called Notarization for all iOS apps. This process checks basic functionality and protects users from serious threats. It combines automated checks and human reviews to ensure apps work as intended and are free from malware or viruses. However, Notarization is not as thorough as the App Review process used for all App Store apps.
Developers can learn more about operating or distributing from alternative app marketplaces on the new Apple Developer Support page.
New Options for Payments in Apple Store Apps on iOS
On the App Store, users in Japan can continue to use Apple In-App Purchase to buy digital goods and services, manage subscriptions, request refunds, as well as view their payment history.
To follow the MSCA rules, Apple is providing developers with new tools. In this case these tools allow them to offer more payment options for digital goods as well as services in their apps on the App Store in Japan. For this reason now, developers can add alternative payment methods inside their iOS apps or link users to a website to complete purchases.
Nevertheless alternative payment choices will always be shown alongside Apple’s own In-App Purchase option. Users will know when they are paying through Apple. When users pay with Apple In-App Purchase, they keep benefits like refund support, subscription management, and the ability to report problems. Only purchases made through Apple In-App Purchase will appear in users’ purchase history and subscription lists.
However, if users pay using the alternative options or through a website link, Apple won’t be able to provide refunds or as much customer support. Users might also have to share payment info with other parties, which could bring extra privacy and security risks.
Apple Updated Business Terms for iOS Apps in Japan
In this case therefore Apple is sharing updated business terms for developers’ iOS apps in Japan. These updates reflect options for app distribution as well as payment processing. These business terms show the many ways Apple creates value for developers’ apps. This applies whether or not they use the App Store and/or Apple In-App Purchase.
Nonetheless for the business terms for iOS apps in Japan, Apple will continue to only charge a commission on the sale of digital goods and services. The new terms include:
The New Terms
- App Store commission: iOS apps on the App Store will pay a reduced commission of 10 percent for most developers. This includes members of the Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program. It applies to subscriptions after their first year. A 21 percent commission will apply to transactions for digital goods and services. The App Store commission reflects the value of the tools, technology, and services. These resources enable developers to create apps. It also includes App Store distribution, discovery, and ongoing services.
- Apple payment processing fee: In their iOS apps on the App Store, developers have an option for payment processing. They can use Apple In-App Purchase. This service incurs an additional 5 percent fee.
- Store services commission: iOS apps on the App Store will pay a commission of 15 percent. This applies to transactions for digital goods. Services made on a website linked by the developer’s app will also incur this commission. Developers in the programs mentioned above, and subscriptions following their first year, will pay a reduced rate of 10 percent.
- Core Technology Commission: iOS apps distributed outside of the App Store will pay a 5 percent commission. This is applicable on the sale of digital goods and services. This includes paid apps. The Core Technology Commission provides compensation to Apple for the tools and technologies. These tools and technologies enable developers to build and share their apps with iOS users.
Impacts to Kids’ Online Safety
Apple created the App Store to be a safe place for kids. It empowers parents to ensure their children have age-appropriate experiences. Parents also have the tools they need to keep their children safe online. That’s why Apple has created industry-leading features. These include age ratings, Content & Privacy Restrictions, content filters, Ask to Buy, and powerful controls. These tools help parents choose how children use their devices.
The MSCA introduces changes. The new options for alternative distribution and payment methods may expose children to new risks. For instance, apps downloaded from outside the App Store may include illicit and objectionable content. They do not go through the rigorous review process. This process is what Apple uses to evaluate apps made for children on the App Store. In Europe, similar regulatory changes have enabled new types of apps. Some of these were previously unavailable on iOS. These include pornography apps.
Apple Partners with Japanese Regulators to Protect Children from Fraud and Scams
In an effort to reduce new risks of fraud or scams targeting children, Apple has worked with regulators in Japan to preserve some guardrails, including:
- Apps in the Kids category on the App Store will not include links to websites to complete transactions. This measure is to reduce the risk of fraud or scams targeting children.
- For users under 18 years old, all apps from the App Store that use alternative payment processing must have a parental gate. This guarantees parental involvement. This requirement ensures younger users involve their parent or guardian before making a purchase when linking to a website for transactions.
- For users under 13 years old, apps from the App Store cannot link to websites for transactions. This policy protects against the risk of scams that target younger kids.
- Apple is developing a new API for developers using alternative payments. This will enable parents to monitor and approve purchases made outside of Apple In-App Purchase.
Developers must continue to provide age ratings for their apps. This applies whether their app is distributed on the App Store or an alternative app marketplace.
Apple will continue innovating to meet the evolving risks to kids’ safety online. It will build on the powerful tools and features it makes available today. These include Child Accounts, web content filters, app restrictions, and monitoring tools like Screen Time and Family Sharing. In addition, Communication Safety and Communication Limits help parents shape who their children communicate with. They also shield them from inappropriate content.
Additional Updates to iOS
Apple has introduced additional controls and choices for users in Japan with the release of iOS 26. There are new app distribution and payment options. Apple has introduced additional controls and choices for users in Japan with the release of iOS 26.2. These include:
- A browser choice screen. There is also a search engine choice experience. These give users in Japan new ways to pick their preferred browser. Users can also choose their preferred search engine.
- Default controls for navigation apps and app marketplaces.
Across these controls, users can review and adjust their choices at any time in Settings.
For developers, Apple is sharing tools in addition to the new options for alternative distribution and app payments, including:
- There are new options for developers of browser apps. They can use alternative browser engines other than WebKit. These options come with strict security and privacy requirements.
- A new API enables developers of voice-based conversational apps. It provides users the option to launch their app with the iPhone side button.
- A process to request interoperability with core technologies in iPhone and iOS.
Apple is providing detailed resources to help developers understand the options now available for their apps in Japan. Developers can access these resources from the Apple Developer Support page.
Redmi Note 15 Series Launch: Full Specs of Note 15, Pro & Pro+
Xiaomi has launched Redmi Note 15, Redmi Note 15 Pro and Redmi Note 15 Pro+
smartphones for global markets. Redmi Note 15 Pro+ has a 6.83-inch 1.5K Quad-Curved AMOLED 120 Hz Display powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 Processor.
REDMI Note 15 Pro+ specifications
- 6.83-inch (2772×1280 pixels) 1.5K OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, Hz touch sampling rate, up to 2560 Hz instant touch sampling rate, up to 3200 nits peak brightness, 3840 Hz high-frequency PWM dimming + DC Dimming, 12-bit color depth, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Xiaomi Dragon Crystal Glass protection
- Up to 2.5 GHz Octa Core Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 4nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 810 GPU
- 12GB LPDDR4X RAM with 256GB / 512GB UFS 2.2 storage
- Android 15 with Xiaomi HyperOS 2
- Dual SIM (nano + nano)
- 200MP main camera OIS, 8MP ultra-wide-angle
- 32MP front camera
- In-display fingerprint sensor, Infrared sensor
- USB Type-C audio, Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos
- 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.4, GPS + GLONASS, USB Type-C, NFC
- 6500mAh battery with 100W fast charging
Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G comes in Black, Glacier Blue, and Mocha Brown color options. Price in Poland: – 8GB+256GB: 1,999 PLN (~$550 | ~Rs 49,680) – 12GB+256GB: 2,299 PLN (~$633 | ~Rs 57,100) – Colors:
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REDMI Note 15 Pro specifications
- 6.83-inch (2772×1280 pixels) 1.5K OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, Hz touch sampling rate, up to 2560 Hz instant touch sampling rate, up to 3200 nits peak brightness, 3840 Hz high-frequency PWM dimming + DC Dimming, 12-bit color depth, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Xiaomi Dragon Crystal Glass protection
- Up to 2.6 GHz Octa Core MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra 4 nm processor with Mali-G615 MC2 GPU
- 8GB LPDDR4X RAM with 256GB UFS 2.2 storage
- Android 15 with Xiaomi HyperOS 2
- Dual SIM (nano + nano)
- 200MP (OIS, 4x optical zoom), 8MP ultra-wide-angle
- 20MP front camera
- In-display fingerprint sensor, Infrared sensor
- USB Type-C audio, Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos
- Dust- and waterproof IP6
- 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.4, GPS + GLONASS, USB Type-C, NFC
- 65800mAh battery with 45W fast charging
REDMI Note 15
Redmi Note 15 has a 6.77-inch FHD+ curved OLED 120 Hz display powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor with up to 12 GB LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256 GB UFS 2.2 storage. Packed with a 5,520 mAh battery with 45 W charging support.
REDMI Note 15 specifications
- 6.77-inch (2392×1080 pixels) FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, Hz touch sampling rate, 2160 Hz instant touch sampling rate, up to 3200 nits peak brightness, 2560 Hz instant touch sampling rate, 3840 Hz high-frequency PWM dimming + DC Dimming, 10-bit color depth
- Octa-Core (2×2.30 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 6nm 5G SoC with 900MHz Adreno 619 GPU
- 6GB LPDDR4X RAM with 128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2 internal storage
- Android 15 with Xiaomi HyperOS 2
- 108MP (OIS, 3x optical zoom) + 8MP ultra-wide Camera
- 20MP front camera
- In-display fingerprint sensor, Infrared sensor
- Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos
- Dust and Splash resistant (IP65)
- 5G, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.1, GPS + GLONASS, USB Type-C, NFC
- 5520mAh battery with 45W fast charging
Redmi Note 15 5G price in Poland: 6GB+128GB: 1,199 PLN (~$330 | ~Rs 29,800)
Today’s Money Tip
Shop the Store Where Lost Airline Luggage Ends Up
Ever wonder what happens to that suitcase the airline permanently lost? It doesn’t just vanish. After 90 days, the airline sells the contents to a single store in Scottsboro, Alabama, called Unclaimed Baggage.
You don’t have to go to Alabama to shop there. They now put their inventory online.
We are talking about North Face jackets, iPads, and expensive noise-canceling headphones. There are also designer sunglasses that were barely used. All of these items are sold for a fraction of the retail price. It is the ultimate thrift store because it’s stocked with the stuff people actually liked enough to pack for vacation.
They clean and test everything, so you’re getting high-end gear for thrift store prices. You can browse the “lost” inventory right here: https://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/
Money Tips: A New Actionable Money Tip Every Day!
When you’re trying to get ahead, avoid complicated financial theory. You need actionable money tips. These tips make a real difference.
I learned after coming to the U.S. with nothing that the biggest changes don’t come from giant leaps. They come from the small, smart steps you take every single day.
This page is where I share those steps with you.
Every day, I will post one quick, practical, and proven tip. These tips will help you save more, make more, or take better control of your finances.
So come back each day for a new money tip!
There will be no promotion or affiliate link. This applies even if I’m an affiliate of a product that happens to be part of the daily tip.
These are real money tips that work.
Using these tips you can build a stronger financial future, one day at a time.
US Approves Nvidia H200 Chip Shipments to China: Trump Confirms Major Policy Shift
The United States will allow Nvidia’s (NVDA.O), opens new tab H200 processors, its second-best artificial intelligence chips, to be exported to China and collect a 25% fee on such sales, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday.
The decision appears to settle a U.S. debate. There is discussion about whether Nvidia and rivals should maintain their global lead in AI chips by selling to China. Alternatively, they might withhold the exports. Beijing has told companies not to use U.S. technology, leaving it unclear whether Trump’s decision would lead to new sales.
Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab shares rose 2% in after-hours trading after Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, following a 3% rise during the day on a report by Semafor.
Trump said in his post that he had informed President Xi Jinping of China about the move. Nvidia’s chips are under government scrutiny there. Xi Jinping responded positively.
He said the U.S. Commerce Department was finalizing details of the arrangement and the same approach would apply to other AI chip firms such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.O), opens new tab and Intel (INTC.O), opens new tab.
Trump’s post said the fee to be paid to the U.S. government was “$25%”, and a White House official confirmed he meant 25%, higher than the 15% proposed in August.
“We will protect National Security, create American Jobs, and keep America’s lead in AI,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “NVIDIA’s U.S. Customers are already moving forward with their incredible, highly advanced Blackwell chips. Soon, they will adopt Rubin. Neither of these chips are part of this deal.”
Trump did not say how many H200 chips would be authorized for shipment. He did not specify what conditions might apply. He only stated that exports would occur “under conditions that allow for continued strong National Security.”
Administration officials consider the move a compromise. It strikes a balance between sending Nvidia’s latest Blackwell chips to China. Trump has declined to allow this. It also strikes a balance with sending China no U.S. chips at all. Officials believe this would bolster Huawei’s efforts to sell AI chips in China, a person familiar with the matter said.
“Offering H200 to approved commercial customers strikes a thoughtful balance. These customers are vetted by the Department of Commerce. This approach is great for America,” Nvidia said in a statement.
Intel declined to comment. The U.S. Commerce Department, which oversees export controls, and AMD did not respond to requests for comment.
A White House official said that the 25% fee would be collected as an import tax from Taiwan, where the chips are made. The chips will then be sent to the United States. There, they will undergo a security review by U.S. officials before being exported to China.
FEARS OF CHIPS STRENGTHENING CHINA’S MILITARY
China hawks in Washington are concerned about selling more advanced AI chips to China. They fear this could help Beijing supercharge its military. These fears had first prompted limits on such exports by the Biden administration.
The Trump administration had been considering greenlighting the sale, sources told Reuters last month. Trump said last week he met with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and that the executive was aware of where he stood on export controls.
“It’s a terrible mistake to trade off national security for advantages in trade,” said Eric Hirschhorn, who was a senior Commerce Department official during the Obama administration. “It cuts against the consistent policies of Democratic and Republican administrations alike not to assist China’s military modernization.”
A report was released on Sunday by the non-partisan think tank, the Institute for Progress (IFP). It states that the H200 would be almost six times as powerful as the H20. The H20 is the most advanced AI semiconductor that can legally be exported to China. This follows the Trump administration’s reversal of its short-lived ban on such sales this year.
The Blackwell chip now in use by U.S. AI firms is about 1.5 times faster than H200 chips for training AI systems, the IFP said, and five times faster for inferencing work where AI models are put to use. Nvidia’s own research has suggested Blackwell chips are 10 times faster than H200 chips for some tasks.
Several Democratic U.S. senators in a statement described Trump’s decision as a “colossal economic and national security failure” that would be a boon to China’s industry and military.
Republican Representative John Moolenaar chairs the House China Select Committee. He said in a statement to Reuters that China would use the chips to strengthen its military capabilities. They would also enhance surveillance.
“Nvidia should be under no illusions – China will rip off its technology, mass-produce it themselves and seek to end Nvidia as a competitor,” he said.
CHINA EYES POTENTIAL SECURITY RISKS
The approval, however, comes as China is strengthening its resolve to wean the country off its reliance on Nvidia’s chips. China’s cyberspace regulator in July also accused Nvidia’s H20 chips of potentially carrying backdoor security risks, an allegation Nvidia has denied.
In recent months, Beijing has cautioned Chinese tech companies against buying chips that Nvidia downgraded to sell to the Chinese market, which are the H20, RTX 6000D and L20, two sources said.
“Chinese firms want H200s,” said Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the Washington think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “However, the Chinese state is driven by paranoia and pride. Washington may approve the chips, but Beijing still has to let them in.”
The H200 change of stance comes the same day that Trump’s Justice Department announced it had cracked a China-linked chip smuggling ring. This ring in late 2024 and early 2025 exported and attempted to export at least $160 million worth of controlled Nvidia H100 and H200 chips.
Chris McGuire, an expert on technology and national security, served at the U.S. State Department until this summer. He said Chinese firms would likely still buy H200s. This is because the chip “is better than every chip the Chinese can make.”
China’s domestic AI chip companies now include tech giant Huawei Technologies, which in September released a three-year product roadmap, as well as smaller players such as Cambricon (688256.SS), opens new tab and Moore Threads (688795.SS), opens new tab.
China’s SSE STAR Chip Index (.STARCHIP), opens new tab and the CSI Semiconductor Industry Index (.CSI931865), opens new tab both dropped more than 1% at market open on Tuesday but soon recovered most of the losses.
US Justice Department accuses two Chinese men of trying to smuggle Nvidia chips
wo Chinese men are in custody for allegedly smuggling Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab H100 and H200 chips to China. The U.S. Justice Department reported this on Monday. President Donald Trump gave the green light for Nvidia to export its H200 chips to Beijing.
Prosecutors allege that Fanyue Gong, 43, is a Chinese citizen living in New York. Benlin Yuan, 58, is a Canadian citizen from China. They independently conspired with employees of a Hong Kong-based logistics company. They also collaborated with a China-based AI technology company to circumvent U.S. export controls, according to the Justice Department.
In court documents, prosecutors said that Gong and his co-conspirators obtained the Nvidia chips through straw purchasers. They also used intermediaries. They falsely claimed that the goods were for U.S. customers or customers in third countries like Taiwan and Thailand.
The chips were shipped to multiple U.S. warehouses. Individuals removed the Nvidia labels there. They affixed labels bearing the name of what prosecutors believe was a fake company, according to the criminal complaint. The chips were then prepared for export, according to the complaint.
In a separate complaint, prosecutors said Yuan helped recruit and organize individuals. They inspected the mislabeled chips on behalf of the Hong Kong logistics company.
Yuan allegedly agreed to direct inspectors not to say the goods were destined for China. Prosecutors said he also directed discussions. He crafted a story his company could use to get chips and other equipment released after federal authorities seized them.
Prosecutors estimate that the scheme had been in operation since at least November 2023, according to court documents.
Yuan’s lawyer declined to comment, while a representative for Gong could not immediately be identified.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said “the Chinese government requires Chinese citizens abroad to strictly abide by local laws.” They are expected to adhere to regulations. They also “legally protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens overseas.”
Another man, Alan Hao Hsu, 43, pleaded guilty in October. His company also pleaded guilty to smuggling and unlawful export activities as part of the scheme. This information is according to the Justice Department.
Hsu and his company received more than $50 million in wire transfers from China. This funding helped support the operations. These operations exported and attempted to export at least $160 million worth of export-controlled Nvidia chips, the department said.
“Operation Gatekeeper has exposed a sophisticated smuggling network. This network threatens our Nation’s security by funneling cutting-edge AI technology to those who would use it against American interests,” Nicholas J. Ganjei, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas, said in a statement.
“Millions of controlled GPUs are in service at businesses, homes, and schools. We will continue to work with the government. We will also cooperate with our customers. Our goal is to ensure that second-hand smuggling does not occur,” a Nvidia spokesperson said, calling the sale of older generation products on the secondary market “subject to strict security and review.”
In 2022, the U.S. government implemented export controls cutting China off from certain semiconductor chips made anywhere in the world with U.S. equipment. The Trump administration in September expanded its restricted export list. This expansion automatically includes subsidiaries owned 50% or more by a company on the list.
How to Launch a Successful AI Startup: Essential Steps, Tools, and Strategies for 2025
AI startups say the promise of turning dazzling models into useful products is harder than anyone expected. Three founders discuss what it takes.
Julie Bornstein thought it would be a cinch to implement her idea for an AI startup. Her resume in digital commerce is impeccable. She served as VP of ecommerce at Nordstrom and COO of the startup Stitch Fix. She also founded a personalized shopping platform acquired by Pinterest. Fashion has been her obsession since she was a Syracuse high schooler. She inhaled spreads in Seventeen and hung out in local malls. So she felt well-positioned to create a company for customers to discover the perfect garments using AI.
Memory Chip Supply Crisis Deepens as the AI Frenzy Accelerates
An acute global shortage of memory chips is forcing artificial intelligence companies to compete for dwindling supplies. Consumer-electronics companies are also battling for these components. Prices are soaring for the unglamorous but essential components that allow devices to store data.
Japanese electronics stores have begun limiting how many hard-disk drives shoppers can buy. Chinese smartphone makers are warning of price increases. Tech giants including Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab, Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab and ByteDance are scrambling to secure supplies from memory-chip makers such as Micron (MU.O), opens new tab, Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), opens new tab and SK Hynix (000660.KS), opens new tab, according to three people familiar with the discussions.
The squeeze spans almost every type of memory. This includes flash chips used in USB drives and smartphones. It also involves advanced high-bandwidth memory (HBM) that feeds AI chips in data centers. Prices in some segments have more than doubled since February. This information is according to market-research firm TrendForce. The surge is drawing in traders betting that the rally has further to run.
The fallout could reach beyond tech. Many economists and executives warn the protracted shortage risks slowing AI-based productivity gains. It may also delay hundreds of billions of dollars in digital infrastructure. It could also add inflationary pressure just as many economies are trying to tame price rises and navigate U.S. tariffs.
The memory shortage has now graduated from a component-level concern to a macroeconomic risk. Sanchit Vir Gogia, CEO of Greyhound Research, a technology advisory firm, said this. The AI build-out “is colliding with a supply chain that cannot meet its physical requirements.”
This Reuters examination of the spiraling supply crisis is comprehensive. It is based on interviews with almost 40 people. These include 17 executives at chipmakers and distributors. It shows industry efforts to meet voracious appetite for advanced chips — driven by Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab and tech giants like Google, Microsoft and Alibaba (9988.HK), opens new tab — created a dual bind: Chipmakers still can’t produce enough high-end semiconductors for the AI race, yet their tilt away from traditional memory products is choking supply to smartphones, PCs and consumer electronics. Some are now hurrying to course-correct.
Details of the global scramble by tech firms and price increases described by electronics retailers and component suppliers in China and Japan are reported here for the first time.
Average inventory levels at suppliers of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) — the main type used in computers and phones fell to two to four weeks in October from three to eight weeks in July and 13 to 17 weeks in late 2024, according to TrendForce.
The crunch is unfolding as investors question whether the billions of dollars poured into AI infrastructure have inflated a bubble. Some analysts predict a shakeout, with only the biggest and financially strongest companies able to stomach the price increases.
One memory-chip executive told Reuters the shortage would delay future data-center projects. New capacity takes at least two years to build. Memory-chip makers are cautious about overbuilding. They fear it could end up idle should the demand surge pass, the person said.
Samsung and SK Hynix have announced investments in new capacity. However, they haven’t detailed the production split between HBM and conventional memory.
