Semiconductor News 20251226

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1. Nvidia acquires AI inference startup Groq for about 29 trillion won
   Nvidia has reportedly acquired or signed a large strategic deal with Groq, a leading AI inference chip startup Groq is known for its high-speed inference processing technology and has an enterprise value of about 29 trillion won. This move is expected to lead to the acquisition of a company with a proven track record for high-speed inference processing technology. This move is seen as a milestone for Nvidia, which has a dominant share of the learning GPU market, to contain the rise of competitors and consolidate its dominance in the fast-growing inference market as well. In addition, since Groq is using Samsung’s foundry, the ripple effect on Samsung is also attracting attention.
2. Softbank and Fujitsu collaborate on power-saving memory development for AI
   Fujitsu is participating in a Softbank-led project to develop next-generation memory for AI, which aims to establish high-performance, low-power memory technology to address the growing power consumption challenges of AI data centers. The project aims to establish high-performance, low-power memory technology to address the growing power consumption challenges of AI data centers. This is an important move by Japan’s former semiconductor mainstays to join forces to regain power in the AI infrastructure market and strengthen industrial competitiveness through domestically produced technology.
3. Japan Develops 10nm Nanoimprint Technology to Eliminate EUV Bottleneck
   It was reported that a nanoimprint technology compatible with the 10nm process has been developed in Japan. This technology enables the formation of fine circuits without using expensive and limited-supply extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment manufactured by ASML, and has the potential to significantly reduce semiconductor manufacturing costs and improve production efficiency. It has the potential to become a mainstream manufacturing process in the future as an alternative technology that reduces dependence on EUV.
4. South Korean Prosecutors Indict 10 People for Leaking Samsung DRAM Technology to China’s CXMT
   South Korean prosecutors have indicted 10 former employees and others for illegally leaking Samsung Electronics’ DRAM manufacturing technology to Chinese memory maker CXMT (Changhan Memory). The leaked technology is believed to be important know-how related to the development of advanced memory. As the U.S.-China technology hegemony struggle intensifies, Chinese firms are increasingly extracting South Korean engineers and conducting industrial espionage activities, and this is a case in which South Korean authorities are stepping up their crackdown to protect their technology.
5. Soaring Memory Prices Lead PC Makers to Raise Prices; AI Demand Spills Over
   With memory prices such as DRAM soaring, PC makers are moving to raise the prices of their products. Japan’s Mouse Computer has announced that it will raise prices starting in 2026, and Sharp-affiliated companies are also considering price hikes. Overseas, Framework and other companies are warning of higher memory unit prices. the tight supply-demand balance for memory due to the AI boom is pushing up component costs, which will be passed on to PC and other end-product prices, leading to an increased burden on consumers and businesses. ,.
6. Marvell to Acquire Optoelectronic Fusion Technology Startup for Approx. 500 Billion Yen
   Marvell Technology, a major U.S. telecommunications semiconductor company, is reportedly acquiring a startup company with optoelectronic fusion technology for approx. 500 billion yen. The acquisition aims to eliminate communication bottlenecks between AI servers and reduce power consumption by incorporating technologies such as “silicon photonics,” which replaces electricity with light for data transmission within data centers. This large-scale acquisition symbolizes that optical communication technology will be the key to competition in next-generation AI infrastructure.
7. China’s Ministry of Commerce Declares Firm Opposition to Additional U.S. Tariffs on Semiconductors
   China’s Ministry of Commerce has issued a statement of firm opposition and stern protest to the U.S. policy of imposing additional tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Law on semiconductor products made in China. It does not recognize the conclusions of the U.S. investigation and strongly opposes this as unilateral economic coercion. The conflict over semiconductor trade between the U.S. and China shows no signs of abating, and the risk of fragmentation of the global supply chain due to a chain of sanctions and retaliation remains high.
8. SMIC and Other Foundries Raise Prices for Mature Process Products
   Foundries such as China’s SMIC and TSMC affiliate VIS have raised the manufacturing prices of their BCD (bipolar, CMOS, DMOS) processes using mature processes by about 10%. This is due to firm demand for power semiconductors and analog ICs, and tightening supply and demand in certain manufacturing lines. The long-standing competition to lower prices has subsided, and a trend toward raising prices with an emphasis on profitability is spreading even among mature nodes.
9. Intel CEO Persuades Trump, Secures “Lifeline” from Government Investment
   Intel’s CEO has persuaded President-elect Trump to secure massive government investment support, background reported. Intel, which is in the process of restructuring its operations, won public funding, including grants under the CHIPS Act, by arguing that maintaining its manufacturing base in the U.S. is vital to national security. This is the result of the company’s lobbying efforts to rebuild its foundry business by using its political connections to secure support after the change of administration.
10. South Korean Government to Inject 700 Billion Won into AI Transformation of Manufacturing Industry
    The South Korean government has announced that it will invest approximately 700 billion won in the AI Transformation (AX) project to promote the adoption of AI in order to increase the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry. So far, more than 1,300 companies have announced their participation in the project. The goal of the project is to transform the traditional manufacturing industry into an advanced technology industry by implementing AI to improve the efficiency of production sites and enhance quality control. This is a support measure to accelerate the digital transformation of the entire industry through public-private partnership.

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