Core Viewpoint - Nvidia's ambition to dominate the cloud computing space remains strong despite the withdrawal of its DGX Cloud service, as it shifts focus to a new platform called Lepton, which aims to connect AI developers with GPU cloud service providers [5][10][12]. Summary by Sections DGX Cloud and Its Transition - Nvidia's DGX Cloud was launched in 2023, offering high-end GPU instances for a monthly fee of $36,999, initially gaining traction in the market [5][7]. - By the end of 2024, Nvidia reported $2 billion in annualized revenue from software and services, including DGX Cloud [7]. - However, by mid-2024, the competitive landscape changed as major cloud providers like Amazon and Microsoft reduced prices for their GPU offerings, diminishing DGX Cloud's competitive edge [7][9]. - Nvidia decided to repurpose DGX Cloud for internal use rather than as a primary product for enterprise markets, indicating a strategic retreat [9][10]. Introduction of Lepton - In May 2025, Nvidia introduced Lepton, a platform designed to manage and distribute GPU resources without directly renting out its own GPUs [10][12]. - Lepton acts as a marketplace for computational power, directing user demands to appropriate cloud service providers, including AWS and Azure [19][20]. - This shift allows Nvidia to avoid direct competition with its major customers while still maintaining control over the ecosystem [22][23]. Strategic Partnerships and Investments - Nvidia has been investing in cloud service providers like CoreWeave and Lambda, creating a symbiotic relationship where it sells GPUs and then rents back computational power [15][16]. - This strategy allows Nvidia to secure immediate revenue from chip sales while ensuring access to necessary computational resources for its own development needs [16][17]. - Nvidia's venture capital arm, Nventures, invests in various AI startups, further embedding itself in the AI ecosystem and ensuring future demand for its chips [17]. Future Outlook and Market Position - Lepton is positioned to become a central hub for AI computational needs, similar to how Apple's App Store operates in the mobile internet space [25][26]. - By not owning a cloud service but controlling the computational resource marketplace, Nvidia aims to maintain its relevance and profitability in the evolving AI landscape [26]. - The company's transition from hardware to a focus on computational power and platform services reflects its broader ambitions in the AI era [26].