Nvidia’s accelerator program appears to sidestep digital assets startups, with its help section listing crypto-focused companies as ineligible to join the tech giant’s global network of founders.

According to the program website, crypto companies and four other types of businesses are excluded from participating in Nvidia’s Inception: consulting and outsourced development firms, cloud service providers, resellers and distributors, and companies that are already public.

The move indicates a shift in Nvidia’s policy regarding crypto startups in its accelerator program. For instance, in 2018, the company accepted Ubex — a startup combining blockchain and AI for digital advertising — in its Inception program.

A Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment on the eligibility policy. The Inception Program is designed for companies younger than 10 years in all stages of funding.

Nvidia is best known for its semiconductors, which play a crucial role in powering microchips for data centers. That same processing power has also made Nvidia’s hardware popular among crypto miners, with the company having previously explored crypto-related use cases for its products.

Related: Public mining firms sold over 40% of their BTC in March — Report

Nvidia and the US-China AI race

Nvidia is one of the most valuable companies in the world in terms of market capitalization and a key player in the global artificial intelligence race.

The company introduced its H20 chip in 2024, designed to comply with US export restrictions imposed during the Biden administration aimed at limiting China’s access to advanced AI hardware.

Despite being less powerful than Nvidia’s top-tier chips, the H20 chips could still enable significant AI advancements in China. In response, the Trump administration imposed stricter export controls to require special licenses for H20 exports to China — a move that could impact Nvidia’s sales.

According to the BBC, China accounted for 13% of Nvidia’s sales in 2024. The company anticipates a $5.5 billion revenue hit tied to US export restrictions.

Related: The next frontier for crypto will be decentralizing AI