Overview
- Reuters reported that Nvidia is testing optional location-verification software that can infer a chip’s country based on performance and network delay data.
- The tool is expected to debut on Blackwell-class GPUs and would rely on customer opt-in, according to the report.
- Nvidia said it has not seen substantiation or received tips of elaborate 'phantom data centers' designed to hide smuggled hardware.
- Allegations from The Information claim China’s DeepSeek trained models on restricted Blackwell GPUs obtained through illicit channels.
- U.S. regulators recently cleared limited sales of older H200 chips to approved buyers in China, while newer Blackwell parts remain restricted and carry strong black-market incentives, with earlier reports putting lower-end prices around $6,500–$8,000.