Key Highlights
- Shenzhen-based Sharetronic Data Technology revealed documentation of $92 million in restricted Nvidia server purchases
- Equipment includes servers equipped with Nvidia H100 and H200 processors, prohibited for Chinese sale without US government authorization since 2022
- Company shares plummeted almost 10% following the revelation
- Both Super Micro and Dell deny any sales transactions with Sharetronic
- Revelation surfaces same day US federal authorities filed smuggling charges against Super Micro co-founder
A Chinese AI infrastructure provider, Sharetronic Data Technology based in Shenzhen, has revealed documentation indicating the acquisition of 276 Super Micro servers equipped with Nvidia’s H100 and H200 processing units. The documented purchase amounts to 632 million yuan, approximately $92 million USD.
Since 2022, both the H100 and H200 processors have been subject to US export controls requiring explicit authorization from Washington before sale to Chinese entities. These export restrictions were implemented to prevent China from advancing AI capabilities that could strengthen its military applications.
Bloomberg News uncovered the invoices within documentation submitted to Chinese regulatory bodies. The invoices, bearing dates from May through June of the previous year, document internal transfers from Sharetronic to one of its subsidiary entities.
The timing of this disclosure coincides with US prosecutors filing criminal charges against Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw, a co-founder of Super Micro Computer, alleging illegal smuggling of Nvidia-based servers valued at $2.5 billion to Chinese customers. Liaw has entered a not guilty plea.
Sharetronic’s shares experienced a dramatic decline of nearly 10% on the Shenzhen exchange Friday, recording the steepest drop among all constituents of the MSCI Asia Index that trading session.
Official Statements from Involved Parties
Super Micro issued a statement asserting it has no sales history with Sharetronic and does not recognize the company as a client. Dell similarly confirmed it discovered “no record of the alleged sales.” Nvidia stated that its distribution partners operate under strict instructions prohibiting delivery of restricted servers without proper US government clearance.
In its official response, Sharetronic maintained that all hardware was acquired through “legal and compliant channels.” The company avoided addressing specific questions regarding the invoices and refused to elaborate on procurement details, citing obligations to protect client confidentiality.
Sharetronic has categorically denied maintaining any commercial relationship with Super Micro.
The original source of Sharetronic’s server inventory remains unclear. The invoice documentation does not specify the initial vendor.
Sharetronic’s Nvidia Partnership Status
Sharetronic’s affiliated joint venture, Guangzhou Fcloud Technology, maintains official recognition as an Nvidia Cloud Partner, representing one of just eight organizations in China holding this elite designation. This certification signals Nvidia’s endorsement of the company’s ability to deliver secure infrastructure solutions for artificial intelligence applications.
Following receipt of this partnership status, Sharetronic publicly announced intentions to acquire hardware totaling 32.2 billion yuan.
The documentation additionally revealed a secondary procurement of 32 Dell PowerEdge XE9680 servers. Every hardware configuration compatible with these particular server models was already under US export control restrictions by the dates shown on the invoices.
Federal prosecutors have not publicly identified whether Sharetronic represents one of the unnamed Chinese entities referenced in the criminal case against Super Micro’s co-founder.
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