Key Takeaways
- Sharetronic Data Technology, based in Shenzhen, revealed documentation for $92 million in restricted Nvidia chip-powered servers
- The hardware includes Nvidia’s H100 and H200 processors, which require US government authorization for China sales since 2022
- Company shares plummeted nearly 10% following the revelation
- Both Super Micro and Dell deny any sales transactions with Sharetronic
- The revelation emerged the same day federal prosecutors charged a Super Micro co-founder with illegal chip smuggling operations
A Shenzhen-based artificial intelligence infrastructure provider, Sharetronic Data Technology, has revealed documentation indicating the acquisition of 276 Super Micro server units equipped with Nvidia’s H100 and H200 processors. The documented value totals 632 million yuan, equivalent to approximately $92 million USD.
Since 2022, both the H100 and H200 processors have required explicit authorization from Washington for sales to Chinese entities. These export controls were implemented to restrict China’s advancement in artificial intelligence capabilities with potential military applications.
Bloomberg News discovered the purchase records within filings submitted to Chinese regulatory bodies. The documentation, carrying dates from May through June of the previous year, indicates transactions between Sharetronic and one of its subsidiary entities.
This disclosure coincided with US prosecutors filing charges against Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw, a founding member of Super Micro Computer, alleging illegal export of Nvidia-equipped servers valued at $2.5 billion to Chinese buyers. Liaw has entered a not guilty plea.
Sharetronic’s equity value declined approximately 10% on Friday’s Shenzhen trading session, ranking as the poorest performer within the MSCI Asia Index that trading day.
Corporate Responses
Super Micro has stated categorically that it maintains no sales history with Sharetronic and that the entity does not appear in their customer database. Dell similarly reported finding “no record of the alleged sales.” Nvidia indicated that all customers operate under strict instructions prohibiting the transfer of controlled server hardware without proper US governmental authorization.
In its official response, Sharetronic maintained that all infrastructure was acquired through “legal and compliant channels.” The company avoided directly addressing inquiries about the specific invoices and refused to elaborate on procurement details, citing obligations to protect client confidentiality.
The organization also explicitly denied maintaining any commercial relationship with Super Micro.
The origin point for Sharetronic’s server acquisition remains unclear. The invoice documentation does not specify the initial vendor.
Connection to Nvidia’s Partner Network
Sharetronic’s collaborative venture, Guangzhou Fcloud Technology, maintains official status as an Nvidia Cloud Partner, belonging to an exclusive group of just eight such certified entities operating within China. This credential signifies Nvidia’s recognition of the organization’s capability to deliver secure infrastructure solutions for artificial intelligence applications.
Following this partner designation, Sharetronic publicized intentions to acquire hardware totaling 32.2 billion yuan.
The invoice records additionally documented a smaller procurement of 32 Dell PowerEdge XE9680 server units. Every hardware configuration compatible with these servers fell under US export control regulations by the dates appearing on the invoices.
Federal prosecutors have not disclosed whether Sharetronic appears among the unidentified Chinese customers referenced in the Super Micro legal proceedings.
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