Chinese artificial‑intelligence companies are accelerating efforts to lease Nvidia‑powered computing capacity at data centers outside China, according to three sources cited by Reuters. The move comes amid fears that a scandal involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang could prompt Washington to tighten rules on remote access to advanced AI chips, potentially limiting Chinese developers’ ability to train large models without importing hardware.

Overseas leasing as a workaround to export bans

The United States continues to restrict exports of Nvidia’s most advanced AI chips to China. By renting cloud‑based GPU power abroad, Chinese firms can sidestep direct import bans while still accessing the compute needed for generative‑AI workloads. Sources said a major Chinese cloud provider and several smaller AI labs have begun confidential talks with data‑center operators in Southeast Asia to lock in capacity before any regulatory change.

Legislative backdrop: the Remote Access Security Act

The Remote Access Security Act (RASA) passed the House of Representatives in January with a 369‑22 vote and now awaits a Senate decision. If enacted, the bill would grant the Commerce Department authority to regulate remote, cloud‑based access to restricted technologies, including high‑end Nvidia GPUs. Analysts cited by CoinCentral note that the legislation could make overseas leasing more difficult, prompting firms to secure commitments now.

In parallel with leasing efforts, grey‑market traders in China have started stockpiling restricted Nvidia chips. A Chinese university with ties to the People’s Liberation Army reportedly purchased H200 chips last month despite being on a U.S. export blacklist. Earlier this year, U.S. prosecutors charged Super Micro Computer co‑founder Yih‑Shyan “Wally” Liaw and two others with conspiring to divert Nvidia‑powered servers to China, alleging $2.5 billion in sales between 2024 and 2025.

What to watch next

The next critical development will be the Senate’s action on the Remote Access Security Act. A vote in favor could tighten remote‑access rules, while a stall may keep the current leasing market viable. Observers will also monitor Nvidia’s share performance—down 6.15% in recent trading and 9.4% year‑to‑date—and any further disclosures about the Jensen Huang personal scandal that sparked the current scramble.