Huang exit bets rise as Nvidia-linked crypto assets slide

Trading across Polymarket contracts on Huang’s resignation or removal totaled about $16.63 million, including $4.67 million on the December 2026 market. Data cited in the report showed the probability of Huang leaving at 60% on November 12, rising to 64% by November 13 and 77% by November 30. The contract for December 31, 2026, stood at 82%, while the March 31, 2027, market reached 87%.

Nvidia shares fell about 8% in after-hours trading on Wednesday, November 11, after reports that the board was preparing to discuss Huang’s future. Nvidia-linked perpetual futures on Hyperliquid dropped as much as 10%, according to The Block. NVDAx, a tokenized Nvidia share issued through xStocks, fell about 9% before recovering some ground to trade near $159.51.

The pressure could spread to Bitcoin and AI-related tokens if leadership uncertainty weighs on technology stocks and prompts investors to cut risk. On November 5, Bitcoin fell more than 6% toward $75,000 as the Nasdaq Composite dropped 5.5% and Nvidia lost more than 9%; over $1 billion in leveraged crypto positions were liquidated in 24 hours. Hilbert Group chief investment officer Russell Thompson has identified $65,000 as a potential downside target for Bitcoin if losses in AI and semiconductor stocks lead investors to sell crypto to meet margin calls. Bittensor (TAO), Render (RENDER) and Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) could also be exposed to weaker AI-sector sentiment.

The latest scrutiny follows a November 12 New York Times report alleging Huang had an extramarital relationship with Nvidia vice president of health care Kimberly Powell. The report cited five former Nvidia workers; two said they saw the pair being affectionate at a San Jose hotel during the company’s GTC conference in March. Huang, 63, and Powell, 48, are both married to other people, and Nvidia’s code of conduct bars conflicts of interest involving personal relationships.

The allegations come after a separate controversy involving Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman whom U.S. intelligence officials reportedly identified as an intelligence asset working for Beijing. Nvidia’s board opened an investigation led by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Republican leaders of three House committees have sought a closed-door briefing with Huang about his interactions with Alice. China has denied the espionage allegations. Nvidia’s next quarterly earnings report is scheduled for November 17.