DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

FCC 26-50 extends US tech controls to chips, optical transceivers and supply-chain origins

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:59:10 GMT

US technology controls are reaching deeper into communications supply chains. Under FCC 26-50, the Federal Communications Commission no longer focuses only on brands or final assembly. Its emerging framework now extends to chips, modules, software, firmware, design ownership, production location and supply-chain control, raising new compliance risks for optical transceivers, networking equipment and ODM suppliers.

Nvidia reportedly weighs up to US$3B stake in Lancium

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:50:00 GMT

Nvidia is in investment talks with Texas power infrastructure developer Lancium as AI data center buildouts strain access to electricity and grid connections. The proposed deal could give Nvidia a 20% to 30% stake and would mark a push into the energy infrastructure needed to support large-scale compute deployment.

OCI rides AI, space solar boom as SpaceX deepens polysilicon ties

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:48:53 GMT

South Korean solar polysilicon supplier OCI Holdings is capitalizing on its increasingly scarce position as a non-China supplier, benefiting not only from growing solar demand from US AI data centers but also from a supply partnership with SpaceX that is extending its reach from terrestrial solar projects into space applications.

Moore Threads eyes HK listing after 147% revenue surge, AI GPU expansion

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:42:06 GMT

Chinese AI GPU developer Moore Threads is preparing a Hong Kong listing after first-half revenue jumped 147.42% year on year to CNY1.74 billion (approx. US$258 million), supported by stronger AI infrastructure demand and faster commercialization of its computing platforms. Its net loss narrowed 95.73% to CNY11.56 million, from CNY271 million a year earlier.

Apple tests CXMT memory chips as shortage, price pressures persist

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:40:00 GMT

Apple has tested DRAM from China's ChangXin Memory Technologies in iPhone and MacBook products as AI-driven memory shortages and rising prices strain global supply, according to reports. The testing has also drawn bipartisan pressure from US lawmakers, who are urging the Commerce Department and Apple leadership to tighten restrictions on Chinese suppliers.

Cambricon AI chip revenue doubles as China demand surges, supply capacity holds key

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:39:46 GMT

Cambricon Technologies has largely settled the question of whether China's AI chip champion can make money. First-half 2026 revenue rose 108.13% to CNY6 billion (approx. US$890 million), attributable net profit climbed 122.61% to CNY2.31 billion, and adjusted net profit increased 137.30% to CNY2.17 billion. Gross margin held near 55%, extending profitability to seven consecutive quarters.

SK Hynix faces US patent fight over HBM, 3D NAND

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:35:00 GMT

SK Hynix is facing an expanding US patent dispute with MonolithIC 3D. A second US International Trade Commission (USITC) investigation covers high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and 3D NAND products, alongside parallel litigation in federal court.

Semiconductor material prices surge across silicon wafers, specialty gases and advanced packaging

Levi Li — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:14:35 GMT

Demand for advanced processes and packaging continues to rise, while the Middle East conflict is lifting energy and raw-material costs and tighter Chinese controls on strategic-mineral exports are disrupting high-purity material supplies. Together, these forces are raising prices for silicon wafers, tungsten hexafluoride (WF6), sputtering targets, electronic-grade chemicals, helium and advanced packaging materials.

Starlink, Amazon squeeze satellite broadband newcomers toward niche markets

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:10:34 GMT

In the US Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) latest processing round for Ku-, Ka- and V-band spectrum, established and emerging satellite operators alike are seeking to enter the non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) market. But as giants including SpaceX and Amazon continue to expand, the barriers facing latecomers seeking a foothold in satellite broadband are rising rapidly.

Interview: Nvidia sees Taiwan as more than an assembler — an engineering partner

Sherri Wang — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:07:42 GMT

Taiwan's role in the global AI supply chain is shifting from manufacturing toward engineering, Nvidia networking senior vice president Gilad Shainer told DIGITIMES in an interview. The island, he said, is increasingly serving as an engineering partner for next-generation AI factories rather than simply an assembler.

Hiwin earns S&P and DJSI sustainability recognitions on four-way carbon cuts

Rodney Chan — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:07:16 GMT

Hiwin, a major precision motion components maker, has accelerated its sustainability transformation in recent years and achieved two major milestones: it was included in the DJSI Emerging Markets Index in both 2024 and 2025, and in May 2026 it was ranked in the top 1% globally in the S&P Sustainability Yearbook. That makes it one of the highest-rated companies in Taiwan and the world in the machinery and electrical equipment sector.

King Slide confident in next 3 years, aiming for US production in September

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:01:34 GMT

Taiwanese server rail manufacturer King Slide expressed strong confidence in its operations for the second half of the year and the next three years, following the release of its second-quarter 2026 financial results on August 6 and an earnings call on August 7. The company expects second-half operations will outperform the first half, with order visibility remaining very strong.

Taiwan sees limited chip impact from new US polysilicon tariff

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 02:45:44 GMT

The US signed a presidential proclamation on August 6 (ET) imposing a 15% tariff on polysilicon and related products from all countries, with the new measures set to take effect on December 4, 2026. Taiwan's Executive Yuan said the decision was expected to have limited impact on the island's solar sector and highlighted exemptions available to semiconductor-related firms with US investments.

Ex-SK Hynix employee gets 18 months for leaking chip secrets to Chinese firms

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 02:39:29 GMT

The Seoul High Court has upheld an 18-month prison sentence for a former SK Hynix employee who leaked trade secrets tied to CMOS image sensor (CIS) technology to Chinese companies while seeking new employment, including with Huawei chip unit HiSilicon.

Himax sees automotive DDI demand recover, set for double-digit growth

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 02:39:29 GMT

Taiwanese display driver IC (DDI) maker Himax Technologies announced its latest financial results and outlook for the third quarter of 2026, with second-quarter revenue beating expectations, mainly driven by a recovery in demand for automotive display ICs.

Adata sees memory uptrend extend into 1H27

Charlene Chen — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 02:14:57 GMT

Adata posted record-high revenue and profit in the second quarter of 2026 and said memory supply remains tight. The company expects third-quarter operating performance to outperform the second quarter and sees DRAM and NAND flash prices remaining on an upward trend through the fourth quarter and the first half of 2027. In particular, Adata said DRAM supply in 2027 will be even tighter than in 2026.

Wiwynn raises Q2 margin as customer procurement shifts take hold

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 02:00:47 GMT

Wiwynn said changes in how it buys components with customers began to show results in the second quarter of 2026, helping lift gross margin to 9.3%. The server ODM said the shift also supported operating margin of 7.3% and net profit margin of 5.4% as it navigated AI product mix changes and higher component costs.

German EV subsidies lift Chinese automakers in a reshaped market

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 02:00:07 GMT

Germany's car market posted only modest growth in July, but battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids surged as internal combustion engine sales fell sharply. The shift was driven in part by government subsidies, which have boosted demand for new energy vehicles and helped Chinese automakers gain ground in Europe's biggest auto market.

Ennostar keeps full-year profit target as memory price surge boosts RGB TV backlight demand

Willis Ke — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 01:58:53 GMT

Ennostar Holdings is targeting a return to full-year profitability after stronger seasonal demand, asset-disposal gains, and a sharp rise in memory prices boosted second-quarter 2026 earnings and unexpectedly revived demand for RGB direct-view LCD TVs. The company said high memory costs are prompting some TV brands to favor RGB backlight solutions over OLED models because they offer lower system costs while delivering improved picture quality.

Weekly news roundup: AI infrastructure race spans HBM, DRAM, EMIB, optical transceivers and next-gen lithography

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 01:42:06 GMT

AI infrastructure, memory supply, advanced packaging and US-China tech restrictions led this week's industry agenda. Below are the most-read DIGITIMES stories from the week of August 3-10, 2026.

From fabs to feedstock: Washington moves electronics supply-chain controls upstream

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 01:15:00 GMT

A cluster of measures signed and drafted since late July has shifted the center of gravity in US supply-chain policy away from finished electronics and toward the raw materials that feed them.

Winbond sees tighter memory supply and bigger expansion payoff ahead

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 01:08:14 GMT

Winbond Electronics said rising prices and stronger shipments lifted its operating margin to 48.4% in the second quarter of 2026, and it expects the third-quarter margin to top 50%, setting a new high. The company also plans a major expansion in Kaohsiung as customers seek long-term supply through 2029 and 2030.

Samsung unveils 200MP image sensor as Oppo targets first adoption

DIGITIMES — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:56:07 GMT

Samsung Electronics has launched its next-generation 200-megapixel CMOS image sensor, the ISOCELL HPC, and reports said Oppo is set to be the first smartphone brand to use it. The sensor is the industry's first mobile CIS to support 16-bit RAW output, marking a new specification for flagship phone cameras.

High production keeps TV panel prices falling in August

Lily Hess — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:57:38 GMT

LCD TV panel prices fell across the board in July and have extended their decline in August as high utilization at makers' high-generation lines has kept the supply and demand situation from improving, even as brands stepped up procurement for the traditional third-quarter stocking season. Industry sources said the sector is pursuing a strategy of "trading volume for price," with Black Friday and Single's Day demand failing to stop the slide.

LinkCom sees order visibility into early 2027 as delayed client pull-ins weigh on sales

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:57:24 GMT

LinkCom Manufacturing said its July revenue fell from a year earlier because tight supplies of memory, passive components, and other key parts pushed up prices and prompted some networking customers to adjust procurement and delivery schedules for large projects. The magnetic components maker said order intake and deliveries remained steady, and July sales still ranked as the second-highest for the same month in company history.

Russia's Rassvet constellation edges closer to persistent Ukraine coverage

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:57:09 GMT

Bureau 1440's Rassvet constellation initiative has been gaining industry-wide attention for emerging as a comparative presence to Russia's Starlink, although it is currently nowhere near Starlink in constellation size or continuous global service.

DeepSeek takes Unitree stake to pair AI models with humanoid robots

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:56:27 GMT

DeepSeek has invested CNY140.8 million (approx. US$20.8 million) in Unitree's Shanghai IPO and agreed to jointly develop AI models for humanoid robots, linking one of China's highest-profile AI developers with the country's leading robotics contender at a critical stage of Unitree's public-market debut.

India roundup: Chip push broadens as localization and capacity remain works in progress

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:56:12 GMT

India is accelerating its bid to build a broader semiconductor and electronics ecosystem, combining new packaging capacity, longer-term tax incentives and deeper localization with efforts to expand its chip workforce and sovereign AI capabilities. Investments by ASIP, Dixon, Rashi and global technology partners highlight a strategy increasingly focused on higher-value manufacturing.

Kinko July revenue jumps to 12-year high on optical demand

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:55:55 GMT

Kinko Optical reported July consolidated revenue of NT$524 million, the highest level in nearly 12 years, as Taiwan's optical industry entered its peak season. The result rose 93.16% from the same month a year earlier and 21.17% from the previous month.

Winmate revenue rises as defense and edge AI orders gain momentum

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:55:44 GMT

Industrial PC maker Winmate said second-quarter revenue rose sharply as demand from defense, marine, and edge AI applications strengthened, a shift that could matter for global industrial supply chains. The company is also seeing firmer order visibility for the second half of the year, while it works to protect margins from higher component costs.

Ability Enterprise July revenue hits decade high on stronger optical module shipments

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:55:25 GMT

Ability Enterprise posted July revenue of NT$1.159 billion, up 10.5% from June and 64% from a year earlier, reaching its highest monthly level since December 2016. The Taiwanese optics maker also reported cumulative revenue of NT$6.95 billion for the first seven months of the year, a 53% increase from the same period last year.

Aurotek profit jumps on embodied AI and semiconductor automation demand

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:55:09 GMT

Aurotek Corporation reported stronger second-quarter and first-half 2026 results on August 6 as demand rose for embodied AI solutions, semiconductor foundry and advanced packaging equipment, high-end AI server manufacturing equipment, and service robots used in logistics and inspection. The Taiwan-based supplier said the mix of higher-value products lifted profitability across its business lines.

Column: Greening the Gobi Desert—how China built Inner Mongolia's wind power ecosystem

Scarlett Yu — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:54:55 GMT

Driven by global net-zero commitments and China's "dual carbon" goals of peaking carbon emissions before achieving carbon neutrality, Inner Mongolia is rapidly transforming from a traditional resource-based economy into a strategic hub for renewable energy and AI computing infrastructure.

South Korea charges into the humanoid robot race as conglomerates mobilize

Scarlett Yu — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:54:40 GMT

The global humanoid robot race is heating up, with the US and China battling for technological and market leadership, but a third force is rapidly emerging.

China’s new renewable rules drive a surge in hydrogen investment

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:54:17 GMT

China’s tighter renewable-energy compliance rules have opened the way for green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol to be included in the country’s minimum renewable-energy consumption framework, amid a sharp rise in investment. In the first half of 2026, investment in China’s hydrogen sector increased by more than 160% year-on-year, outpacing the other cited energy infrastructure categories.

Commentary: From free flow to tight control — how tech talent became a national security asset

Charlene Chen — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:19:00 GMT

Tech talent has moved from being simply a hiring priority to a matter of national security. As major economies increasingly tie talent to competitiveness and national security, control over its cross-border movement is tightening. That shift is visible today: Taiwan's Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau is probing 17 companies accused of illegally recruiting tech talent in Taiwan, China is preparing to tighten exit controls on key technical workers, and the US continues expanding semiconductor and AI export controls and research security reviews.