Crypto: Nvidia Closes The Door On Blockchain Again

The crypto scene could have marked a historic turning point. A partnership between Nvidia and a blockchain network, an official recognition of crypto by a chip giant. Yet, as usual, hope turned into a mirage. A few hours before the announcement, Nvidia withdrew its support, leaving the project in limbo. A scenario that summarizes a tumultuous relationship: despite the technological advances of blockchain, the Californian company holds a clear line. Crypto remains persona non grata in its ecosystem.

Nvidia and crypto: a contradicted love story

The recent episode of the Layer 2 Blockchain, dropped at the last moment from Nvidia’s Ignition AI Accelerator program, is not an accident. It is the symptom of deep-rooted distrust. The exclusion criteria for crypto-related projects in flagship programs like Inception are unequivocal. A tacit but inflexible rule of the game.

This is not a sudden breakup, but rather a logical continuation. In 2018, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, was already talking about the hangovers caused by the crypto crash.

Unsold GPU stocks, regulatory fines… The legacy is heavy. More recently, in 2023, CTO Michael Kagan dismissed the social utility of crypto with a wave of the hand: “It brings nothing useful to humanity,” he asserts, preferring to praise the promises of AI.

Yet, the bridges are not completely cut. In March 2024, at the Graphics Technology Conference, Jensen Huang shared the stage with Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol… without ever mentioning blockchain.

The message is subtle but clear: Nvidia tolerates hybrid players, provided they focus on AI. Crypto? A topic to avoid, or to mention only with evasive metaphors.

AI, top priority for a giant with limited resources

But why this persistent distrust? The answer lies in two letters: AI. Nvidia has chosen its side. Between blockchains, seen as volatile, and artificial intelligence, a rapidly growing sector, the calculation is quick.

Partnerships with figures like Polosukhin, whose work on Transformers has revolutionized AI, illustrate this strategy. Infrastructure credits, mentoring, resources: everything is channeled towards machine learning.

Resources are not infinite. In 2023, the demand for GPUs for AI created global shortages. In this context, integrating crypto would mean diluting already colossal efforts. A risk Nvidia refuses to take. Even when Huang speaks of “programmable money“, at a conference, the reference remains theoretical. No roadmap, no commitment.

One question remains: does crypto really need Nvidia? Some blockchain projects have built decentralized ecosystems without relying on tech giants. A philosophy aligned with the peer-to-peer spirit of the origins.

For Nvidia, ignoring crypto could even become an advantage: by avoiding controversies related to mining or speculation, the company preserves its image with traditional businesses.

The missed rendezvous between Nvidia and crypto is no surprise. It is the result of a strategic choice, assumed for years. Between the promises of AI and the uncertainties of blockchain, the Californian giant has decided.

For crypto actors, the lesson is clear: no need to chase Nvidia’s favor, better to carve one’s own path. After all, true innovation often arises off the beaten path. And this in no way challenges the prophecy of a close associate of Satoshi, who already sees bitcoin crossing the one million mark.