Chinese AI lab Moonshot turned to Europe for Nvidia Blackwell access amid U.S. China curbs, sources tell CNBC

Moonshot AI has sought to rent computing capacity using Nvidia’s advanced Blackwell chips from data centres in Europe, according to four people familiar with the discussions. The reported approach matters because US export controls block these chips from being imported into China, while overseas cloud access may provide a route around the restrictions.

Three sources said Moonshot discussed leasing capacity from European neocloud providers this year. The White House said in July that the lab had accessed Blackwell chips remotely through a facility in Thailand; current US law gives regulators limited authority over overseas cloud access. Moonshot makes the Kimi AI models, and its reported interest comes as Chinese developers gain ground in a competitive race with US firms.