Intel stock jumps on reports NVIDIA may use Intel for I/O dies, easing TSMC dependence
Intel shares rose over 3% in after-hours trading amid reports that NVIDIA is exploring a manufacturing partnership to diversify away from sole reliance on TSMC. DigiTimes, citing supply-chain sources, said NVIDIA may have Intel produce its Feynman architecture I/O die using Intel’s 18A or 14A process nodes, with mass production targeted around 2028; the main compute die would remain with TSMC. The story follows renewed speculation that Apple could resume using Intel as a contract manufacturer for lower-end M-series chips (potentially on Intel 18AP by 2027), comments previously highlighted by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. These dual-foundry moves aim to satisfy U.S. “Made in America” goals, reduce tariff exposure, and lower dependence on TSMC without disrupting high-volume, high-end production. Key actors: Intel (INTC), NVIDIA (NVDA), TSMC, Apple. Main keywords: Intel, NVIDIA, TSMC, chip manufacturing, 18A/14A/18AP, Feynman, contract manufacturing. Traders should watch partnership confirmations, capex or foundry guidance from Intel and TSMC, and potential supply-chain timelines toward 2027–2028 for market-moving updates.
Neutral
The news is market-relevant but not explicitly crypto-specific; its primary impact is on semiconductor and tech equities rather than cryptocurrencies. For crypto traders the link is indirect: developments that reshape chip supply (esp. for AI GPUs) can affect miner and infrastructure costs for GPU-dependent crypto projects and AI-related token narratives. The rumored Intel–NVIDIA arrangement is speculative (DigiTimes sources) and targets I/O dies with mass production around 2028, so immediate market-moving effects are limited. Historically, supply-chain partnership confirmations (e.g., TSMC wins or new foundry deals) have produced sustained equity moves and influenced hardware-dependent crypto sectors over months, not days. Short-term: likely limited volatility for crypto markets absent direct announcements affecting GPU supply or pricing. Watch for confirmations, shifts in GPU supply/pricing, or broader tech-sector repricing that could spill into risk assets. Long-term: a credible shift toward U.S. foundries could diversify supply, potentially stabilizing GPU supply chains and lowering systemic risk for GPU-dependent crypto activities; that would be modestly positive for crypto infrastructure stability but not a direct bullish catalyst for tokens.