Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has launched an innovative type of asset-based financing that utilizes semiconductor manufacturing equipment as collateral. This approach involves collaboration with external specialists for asset valuation. Memory chip manufacturer Kioxia has already benefited from this financing model, and it could potentially be extended to other chipmakers, like Rapidus.

Samsung Electronics plans to drastically reduce capital expenditure for its wafer foundry business by more than half in 2025, as the company grapples with a lack of customer orders.

TSMC is advancing its compact optical engine technology, branded as COUPE, a top priority among its emerging innovations. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, during a recent visit to Taiwan, highlighted collaboration with TSMC on silicon photonics, though the results will take years to materialize.

When Taiwanese media reported on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dining with TSMC, supply chain partners, and AI server company executives, curiosity arose about the VIPs accompanying Huang during his visits to three Nvidia branch offices in China and his attendance at their lunar year-end parties

At CES 2025, Jensen Huang declared it is now the "ChatGPT moment for robotics," as Nvidia intensifies its development of robotics technology to build a comprehensive robotics ecosystem. Nvidia unveiled its generative world model platform, Cosmos, designed to address industry issues related to data shortages.

The Stargate project, a landmark US$500 billion joint venture announced by US President Donald Trump in early 2025, has exposed growing tensions between OpenAI and Microsoft. While initially co-developed by the two companies, Microsoft's role has been significantly reduced, shifting from an expected leadership position to only a technology partner, raising questions about the implications of their partnership in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Samsung unveiled its latest trio of flagship smartphones this week, with promotional campaigns set to roll out across major global markets in the coming weeks. However, persistent concerns about its chip strategy have placed Samsung in a challenging "triple dilemma" that remains unresolved.

Huawei has recaptured the leading position in China's smartphone market for the first time since facing US sanctions, marking a significant shift in market dynamics. According to the latest report from Counterpoint Research, Huawei secured an 18.1% market share in the fourth quarter of 2024, primarily propelled by strong sales of its Nova 13 series and high-end Mate 70 series, achieving a 15.5% increase compared to the same period last year.

India is trying to pry open the doors of the world's biggest app stores, setting up a likely clash with Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc. over social services, safety standards, and access to the country's smartphones.

BYD has formed a strategic partnership with Grab, Southeast Asia's leading ride-hailing platform, to offer discounted rates on up to 50,000 EVs for fleets and drivers. The collaboration extends across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, reports The Edge Singapore.

Upon taking office, US President Donald Trump swiftly targeted immigration, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy with his first executive orders. He is considering imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada before February 1, prioritizing these countries over China.

Conventional automakers in Europe have faced multiple challenges as they transition to EV production. In addition to declining car sales in Europe, they must confront tough competition from Chinese EV makers and comply with the EU's stricter carbon emissions standards set to take effect in 2025.

In its efforts to address low-carbon energy and decarbonization issues, Taiwan may be able to import renewable green ammonia from desert regions in the future to effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions, according to Cheng-wen Wu, Minister of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC).

Since Donald Trump assumed office, the White House moved to halt federal leasing for large-scale wind farms, signaling a potential slowdown in US offshore wind development over the next four years. Meanwhile, offshore wind projects in China and Europe are progressing, reshaping the global industry landscape.

Topco Scientific Co. (TSC), a leader in Taiwan's semiconductor and optoelectronics supply chain integration, partnered with Taiwan's automotive lighting giant Depo Auto Parts to unveil a solar power station at Depo's Changbin plant.

With Donald Trump back in the White House, South Korean industry leaders are optimistic that their drones could become a viable alternative to Chinese-made models amid escalating US sanctions on China. In response, South Korean drone manufacturers are ramping up efforts to expand their presence in the US by setting up local subsidiaries, which could drive growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in South Korea.

As global defense priorities shift in 2025, Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) is positioning drones as strategic assets, leveraging the nation's technological strengths amid heightened regional tensions and evolving military dynamics.

While China implements export bans on key drone components in retaliation, the market has become increasingly volatile. Industry observers note that the drone industry's readiness has not kept pace with the rapid emergence of new competitors. Despite Taiwanese companies actively preparing for market expansion, the timing for significant growth may still be uncertain.

The smartphone panel experienced diverging trends across technologies. LCD panel prices declined by 10% over the year, rigid AMOLED panel prices rose by 10%, and flexible AMOLED panels saw a 5% drop. As of January 2025, pricing across technologies remain flat.

LG Electronics' Indian subsidiary experienced a revenue surge of almost 10% in 2024. The company remains on course with its plans to launch an IPO in India, aiming to take advantage of the market's expansion.

Zhu-Xiang Yang, general manager of Innolux, a major panel manufacturer in Taiwan, wrote a year-end reflection poem about the challenges and outlook for the panel industry: