How a Blacklisted Chinese Tech Giant Kept Buying America’s Best A.I. Chips

Live updates

1. 5d ago

   Aivres Exported 5.6 Billion Dollars in Advanced Equipment to Bypass US AI Chip Bans

   A US-based Chinese firm called Aivres exported 5.6 billion dollars of advanced equipment to Southeast Asia between April 2024 and February 2026. This operation allowed Chinese companies to evade US export controls to access computing power and develop AI technology. This development follows previous reports that a blacklisted server company used corporate rebranding and Malaysian subsidiaries to maintain access to high-end Nvidia hardware. The scheme highlights systemic gaps in US trade restrictions that permit restricted entities to acquire American semiconductor technology via international hubs.

   Why it matters

   The US maintains strict blacklists to prevent Chinese firms from obtaining high-end AI chips. These controls aim to slow China's military and technological advancement. Aivres used a US-based entity to funnel hardware into Southeast Asia, creating a loophole in the trade barrier.

   What is confirmed

   • Aivres exported 5.6 billion dollars of advanced equipment to Southeast Asia from April 2024 to February 2026.

   Still unconfirmed

   • President Xi Jinping may bring executives from top technology, electric vehicle, and aerospace companies on a visit to the US in late September.

   What to watch next

   • Details on whether the US government will file criminal charges against Aivres executives
   • The outcome of the Huawei racketeering trial in New York
   • Official confirmation of the Chinese delegation for the late September US visit
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. apnews.com — China’s Huawei Technologies faces racketeering trial in New York
   2. global.udn.com — 中國AI企業如何在東南亞「開外掛」？從Aivres案看美中晶片戰與台灣矽盾漏洞
   3. udn.com — 比照川普帶CEO團訪中！港媒：習近平擬帶科技巨頭訪美
   4. udn.com — 不後悔對伊朗開戰！川普預告民主黨若奪兩院 糟糕法案就擋2年
   confidence 90%
2. 8d ago

   Blacklisted Chinese Firm Uses Rebranding to Buy Nvidia AI Chips

   A blacklisted Chinese server company bypassed US trade restrictions to acquire advanced AI chips by rebranding and operating through foreign subsidiaries. The company established a unit in Malaysia and renamed itself as Aivres to dodge loopholes in US export controls. These efforts allowed the firm to continue purchasing high-end hardware from Nvidia despite its official status on US blacklists. The strategy demonstrates how Chinese tech giants use corporate restructuring and international hubs to maintain access to restricted American semiconductor technology.

   Why it matters

   The US government blacklists specific Chinese firms to prevent the acquisition of advanced AI hardware for military or surveillance use. These restrictions target the parent companies to stop the flow of high-performance chips. Bypassing these rules undermines US national security efforts to limit China's AI capabilities.

   What is confirmed

   • A blacklisted Chinese server company rebranded itself to access advanced AI chips.
   • The firm used rebranding and loopholes to bypass US restrictions.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The firm is a server giant.

   What to watch next

   • US Department of Commerce response to the Aivres rebranding
   • Evidence of additional foreign subsidiaries used for chip procurement
   • Nvidia's internal audit of sales to the Malaysia unit
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. The New York Times — How a Blacklisted Chinese Tech Giant Kept Buying America’s Best A.I. Chips
   2. tech-insider.org — Megaspeed’s Malaysia Unit Bought $2B in Nvidia Chips [2026]
   3. startupfortune.com — A Blacklisted Chinese Server Giant Renamed Itself and Still Buys Nvidia Chips
   4. Crypto Briefing — Aivres acquires US AI chips despite parent company’s blacklisting
   5. Moneycontrol.com — How blacklisted Chinese firm rebranded itself to dodge US loopholes, access its most advanced AI chips
   confidence 80%