TSMC cuts off Bitmain-related AI developer after Huawei find

Taiwanese foundry TSMC has suspended shipments to a customer Xiamen Sophgo, after a chip made for that company was found in a Huawei Ascend 910B multi-die AI processor, according to Reuters.

Huawei, a leading supplier of 5G communications equipment and smartphones, is on a US export licensing list that is intended to stop it acquiring leading-edge technology from the US. Sophgo is not on such as list but had ordered a chip from TSMC that reportedly “matched” those found in a TechInsights teardown of the Ascend 910B.

Xiamen Sophgo Technologies Ltd. said in a statement posted on its website that it has never had a direct or indirect business relationship with Huawei; that it is operates in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations including US national export controls. It added that it has provided a detailed investigation report to TSMC showing it has no involvement with Huawei.

Sophgo was formed in 2020 as a spin-off from Bitmain, a Chinese ASIC company best known as a developer of Bitcoin mining chips and systems. One of the co-founders is Micree Zhan, who also co-founded Bitmain.

Sophgo states is has conducts at more than 10 R&D sites across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao, and Xiamen. With operations in Singapore and the US.