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Nvidia could finally give up buying ARM

Competition authorities continue to put obstacles in the way of Big Tech’s Romeo and Juliet, who could finally abandon their union.

It was one of the major news of this summer. Last July, NVIDIA took everyone by surprise by leaking its plan to buy ARM. A 40 billion dollar acquisition that could change all the balance of power in the world of hardware… but which ultimately seems more than compromised.

According to Bloomberg, which was the first media to relay these discussions, the green team is now preparing to backtrack. The fault of the bitter discussions which drag on between the two companies and the competition authorities, decidedly scalded by the case.

Indeed, the operation is closely monitored by many institutions. In a few months, the European Commission, the English Competition and Markets Authority and the American Federal Trade Commission all came to throw their two cents into the matter. The object of their wrath: the deemed “anti-competitive” nature of the operation; this would have effectively allowed Nvidia to make rain and shine on the tech market as a whole. Worrying for the competition, knowing that the firm already outrageously dominates the GPU segment.

ARM, a coveted partner

Indeed, ARM enjoys a status as an essential hub in the world of tech. Its products are used by almost all of the leaders in the digital sector. They are found in a variety of equipment ranging from smartphones to cars to industrial equipment. There is therefore a legitimate fear that Nvidia offers itself a global monopoly by controlling the access of its competitors to ARM products (see This article for more details on the substance of the problem). Hence the intervention of the competition authorities.

Bloomberg also states that the couple is facing protests from the Chinese authorities. Indeed, most of the country’s founders also depend directly on ARM’s products. And given the state of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, it is easy to understand that the latter takes a dim view of the passage of such a giant under the American flag.

At present, the two brands are still discreet about it. Officially, the project would still be relevant; Bloomberg specifies that ARM and Nvidia are still pleading their case in court at this very moment. “We continue to affirm that this transaction represents an opportunity for competition and innovation,” says a spokesperson for the green team. “We remain confident about the outcome of this transaction,” added his equivalent at SoftBank, owner of ARM.

But the formulation of the American media suggests that the two fiancés would have already made up their minds. It now seems certain that the competent authorities will end up vetoing this union. The final verdict should arrive by September 13, 2022, when the agreement between the two giants expires.

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