Chinese AI laboratory Moonshot is reportedly utilizing advanced Nvidia B300 AI accelerators for its Kimi models, despite US export restrictions. Documents filed with Chinese regulators suggest a contract for 32 Supermicro servers equipped with these chips, valued at approximately ¥432 million, or $64.8 million.
The financing for this equipment involved a loan of ¥200 million from Beijing Zhongguancun Bank to Lingmeixin, a company acting as the server owner. The servers are reportedly located in Qingyang, a national computing hub in western China, and were priced at ¥13.5 million each, roughly 350% above US market rates.
Moonshot has denied any business relationship with Lingmeixin or knowledge of the financing agreements. Representatives from both Nvidia and Supermicro stated they do not conduct business with the involved entities and remain committed to complying with US export control regulations.
The documents indicate that Moonshot holds usage rights for the computing power rather than ownership of the hardware. Moonshot, the developer of the Kimi K3 model, is currently preparing for a potential initial public offering in Hong Kong, which is expected to take place early next year.
