Semiconductor News 20260219

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Based on the latest sources provided, we extract and summarize the Top 10 most important news items.

1. Meta Signs Major Deal with NVIDIA to Purchase Large Quantities of Next-Generation Vera Rubin Chips
   Meta has signed a major, multi-year agreement with NVIDIA to dramatically enhance its AI infrastructure and plans to purchase large quantities of Vera Rubin, its next-generation AI chips. Prior to this, Meta also announced its intention to deploy a single NVIDIA Grace CPU in its production environment to significantly improve power efficiency. The company aims to revamp its own data center infrastructure with the latest hardware to ensure a competitive advantage in AI development.
2. Global Semiconductor Sales Reach 120 Trillion Yen for the First Time in 2025, Driven by AI Demand
   Global semiconductor sales in 2025 reached the 120 trillion yen mark for the first time in history, driven strongly by a surge in demand for logic semiconductors and memory in the market. In particular, strong demand related to AI is supporting the growth of the global electronics market, and Japan’s semiconductor-related exports in January also recorded significant growth, up 39% from the previous year. The data confirms that the industry as a whole is entering a new period of structural growth beyond the previous silicon cycle.
3. TSMC Kumamoto Plant 3nm Upgrade Targets Automotive and AI Demand
   TSMC’s plan to install a state-of-the-art 3nm process at its second Kumamoto plant in Japan is not a check on competitor Rapidus, but a strategy primarily targeting demand for increasingly sophisticated automotive semiconductors and AI infrastructure This is not a check on competitor Rapidus, but a strategy primarily targeting the demand for advanced automotive semiconductors and AI infrastructure. This is an important turning point for the Japanese semiconductor industry, as it is a move to build a strong ecosystem in Japan and diversify the supply chain for high-performance chips, which are in short supply worldwide.
4. Rapidus to begin production of 2-nano-generation test chips by the end of 2026
   The CTO of Rapidus, a Japanese next-generation semiconductor manufacturer, has announced plans to begin production of 2-nano-generation test chips by the end of 2026. funding momentum is accelerating on the back of technology support from IBM and a novel The company has also emerged with a plan to collaborate with SAIMEMORY, an AI memory with a novel new structure. Development is progressing at a rapid pace as milestones toward the mass production of cutting-edge logic semiconductors in Japan take shape.
5. Next-Generation Memory Competition Heats Up, Including Samsung’s zHBM and Intel’s Z-Angle
   The race to develop next-generation memory technologies is intensifying in order to dramatically improve memory bandwidth, which has become a performance bottleneck for AI semiconductors. As AI models grow in size, the establishment of novel memory architectures that transcend conventional limitations is key to future hardware supremacy. The key to future hardware supremacy is the establishment of a novel memory architecture that surpasses the conventional limits.
6. Special Demand for AI Servers Doubles Orders for MLCCs, Murata Manufacturing Considers Price Increases
   The rapid expansion of the AI server market has led to an explosion in demand for multilayer ceramic cap acitors, which are essential for motherboards and components, doubling the volume of orders. In response, industry leader Murata Manufacturing has begun to consider raising product prices. Prices and production of high-performance printed circuit boards are also expected to surge, and special demand for AI is spreading throughout the entire electronic component supply chain, increasing upward pressure on costs.
7. Elon Musk Seeks Semiconductor and AI Talent in South Korea
   Elon Musk, the leader of Tesla and xAI, has announced that he welcomes talent from South Korea, and is actively recruiting talented people in the semiconductor and AI fields in South Korea, which is making headlines. As competition for top engineers to develop AI among big tech companies intensifies, Mr. Musk is approaching South Korean engineers directly through an unparalleled courtship campaign, and there is a growing sense of caution about the brain drain between nations.
8. U.S. Tariff Credit Policy Adds Pressure on Korean Memory Makers to Localize
   The design of a new tariff credit policy being considered by the U.S. could put strong pressure on major Korean memory makers to build production structures in the U.S. Tariffs on the cost of procuring components for AI servers The major impact of tariffs on the cost of procuring components for AI servers is forcing manufacturers to localize their supply chains. Geopolitical trade policies are directly influencing the investment strategies and factory locations of global semiconductor companies.
9. UAE invests $10 billion annually in diversified investments to dominate AI sector
   The UAE is investing a massive $10 billion annually to secure its leadership in the global AI market, with strategic diversified investments in several world-leading AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic. OpenAI and Anthropic. Backed by the nation’s abundant financial resources, this is an ambitious move that goes beyond mere infrastructure development to become deeply involved in building an ecosystem for cutting-edge AI technologies and play a role in the next generation of technological hegemony.
10. Sony Prioritizes Monetization from Current PS5 Users to Counteract Rising Memory Prices
    Severe memory chip supply shortages and price hikes are forcing Sony to adjust its strategy for its game console business. To offset profit pressure from rising hardware manufacturing costs, the company has decided to prioritize monetization from its existing PlayStation 5 user base through software sales and subscriptions. s business model.

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