The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation into NVIDIA on September 10, 2026. The probe targets a licensing agreement with AI chip startup Groq valued between $17 billion and $20 billion.
Regulators are determining if the deal was structured to bypass antitrust scrutiny. Officials believe the arrangement may stifle competition in the concentrated AI semiconductor market.
The original agreement, signed in December 2025, gives NVIDIA non-exclusive rights to Groq’s advanced chip technology. The deal also included the hiring of several Groq executives by NVIDIA.
Critics characterize the partnership as a disguised acquisition designed to protect NVIDIA’s market position. This investigation follows a broader trend of regulatory pressure on major technology companies.