SK Hynix Soars As Microsoft Taps It For AI Chip

On January 27, 2026, the South Korean semiconductor giant SK hynix Inc. found itself at the center of the global technology stage, following a series of developments that underscored its growing dominance in the artificial intelligence (AI) hardware race. The company was named the exclusive supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for Microsoft Corp.'s latest AI chip, Maia 200, a move that sent ripples through the tech and financial sectors alike.

The Maia 200 accelerator, designed specifically for Microsoft’s AI data centers, is being hailed by the U.S. tech titan as "the most efficient inference system" it has ever deployed. According to Yonhap News, Microsoft has already installed the Maia 200 at its data center in Iowa, although the company did not officially disclose its HBM supplier in its own press materials. Industry sources, however, confirmed SK hynix as the sole provider of HBM3Es—the fifth generation of high-bandwidth memory—cementing its place at the heart of one of the world’s most advanced AI systems.

The significance of this exclusive supply deal was not lost on the markets. As news broke of SK hynix’s partnership with Microsoft, the chipmaker’s stock price soared to a new 52-week high. By 2:56 p.m. KST on January 27, SK hynix shares were trading at 800,000 won, marking a dramatic 8.69% increase from the previous day, as reported by Yonhap News and Maeil Business Newspaper. The surge was interpreted as a direct response to the announcement, as well as a prelude to the company’s upcoming earnings report, scheduled for January 29. Samsung Electronics, SK hynix’s chief domestic rival, also saw its stock rise to 158,800 won, up 4.40%.

The Maia 200 deal is the latest salvo in the intensifying battle between SK hynix and Samsung Electronics for supremacy in the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) sector. This segment, which includes custom chips for major players like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, has become a fierce arena for innovation and market share. According to Yonhap News, Nvidia Corp. and AMD Inc. have recently completed quality tests of Samsung’s sixth-generation HBM4 products, with official supply expected to begin in February 2026. Not to be outdone, SK hynix is preparing for full-scale HBM4 production, having already provided samples to Nvidia, signaling its intent to remain at the forefront of memory technology.

Behind SK hynix’s recent successes lies a broader strategic vision, articulated by Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group. In a special interview featured in the newly released book, The Underdog Story of SK Hynix: Super Momentum, published on January 26, Chey laid out an ambitious roadmap for the company’s future. He redefined SK hynix not merely as a commodity memory manufacturer but as an AI infrastructure provider—a fundamental shift he believes is necessary for the company to break through its market capitalization ceiling.

Chey’s remarks, as quoted in the book, are both candid and aspirational. Reflecting on June 24, 2025, when SK hynix’s market capitalization surpassed 200 trillion won, he said, “We have finally made it this far,” but quickly added that the market still views SK hynix as a traditional manufacturer rather than an AI powerhouse. “The market has yet to recognize SK Hynix as anything more than a commodity manufacturer, which is why it has not been assigned a higher valuation. This means it will be difficult to break through the market capitalization ceiling unless it transforms itself into an AI semiconductor company or an AI infrastructure company,” Chey explained.

Looking ahead, Chey forecasted that SK hynix’s market capitalization could reach 700 trillion won (approximately $483.56 billion) by 2030 and, in the longer term, even 2,000 trillion won. He compared SK hynix’s trajectory to that of NVIDIA, emphasizing the need for a tenfold expansion from its current size. “That is what aspiration and ambition are about,” Chey declared. “You have to dream bigger to meet the challenges required to get there.”

The market appears to be responding to Chey’s vision. The buzz around SK hynix’s exclusive deal with Microsoft’s Maia 200 chip has not only boosted its stock price but also reinforced the company’s reputation as a leading innovator in the AI memory space. Analysts and investors are closely watching how the company’s bet on HBM technology will shape its fortunes in the coming years, especially as AI workloads become more demanding and memory bandwidth emerges as a critical bottleneck in system performance.

Meanwhile, the competition shows no signs of slowing down. Samsung Electronics, for its part, is gearing up to supply its next-generation HBM4 memory to Nvidia and AMD, both of whom have completed rigorous quality tests. The rivalry between SK hynix and Samsung is pushing both companies to accelerate their R&D efforts and forge strategic partnerships with global tech giants, ensuring that South Korea remains at the epicenter of the semiconductor industry.

The stakes are high. As AI becomes increasingly central to everything from cloud computing to autonomous vehicles, the demand for cutting-edge memory solutions like HBM is expected to skyrocket. SK hynix’s ability to secure exclusive deals with industry leaders such as Microsoft not only provides immediate financial rewards but also positions the company as a key enabler of the AI revolution.

Yet, challenges remain. As Chey Tae-won noted, the transformation from a commodity memory supplier to an AI infrastructure company will require more than just technological prowess—it will demand a fundamental shift in how the market perceives SK hynix. Breaking through that psychological and financial ceiling will be no small feat, but if recent developments are any indication, the company is well on its way.

For now, the spotlight remains firmly on SK hynix as it prepares to announce its latest earnings and as the world watches the next chapter in the high-stakes drama of AI hardware unfold. With ambition, innovation, and a bit of bold dreaming, SK hynix is making it clear: it intends not just to keep pace with the AI boom but to help define it.