This Graphics Card Company Accidentally Became a Crypto Powerhouse

Core Insights - Nvidia has evolved from a gaming company to a leader in AI and cryptocurrency markets, with gaming now contributing less than 10% of its revenue [2][15] - The company's GPUs are designed for parallel processing, enabling efficient handling of large tasks simultaneously, which has been pivotal in its success [4][5] Company Evolution - Nvidia was founded in 1993 and launched its first GPU in 1999, coinciding with its public offering [1] - The introduction of CUDA in 2006 allowed Nvidia's GPUs to be utilized beyond graphics, enhancing their application in various computing tasks [5][6] Cryptocurrency Involvement - Nvidia's GPUs became popular for Bitcoin mining, which began in 2009, as miners sought more powerful devices to increase profitability [9][11] - The company faced legal challenges regarding its disclosure of revenue from crypto mining, resulting in a $5.5 million fine in 2022 [10] AI Leadership - Nvidia's GPUs have been instrumental in AI development since 2011, with significant milestones including the success of AlexNet in 2012 [12] - The company's financial performance has surged, reporting over 50% year-over-year revenue growth for nine consecutive quarters, with $46.7 billion in revenue for Q2 of fiscal year 2026 [14]