Nvidia Says Q4 Crypto Miner Demand Was as Weak as Expected

Nvidia has cut its 4Q revenue forecast, which already factored in reduced demand for GPUs used in crypto mining.

AccessTimeIconJan 28, 2019 at 8:30 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 10:39 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Nvidia had more disappointing news for investors Monday, but for once the cryptocurrency mining slump was not directly to blame.

In updated guidance released Monday, the graphics card manufacturer warned it now expects to report only $2.2 billion of revenue for its fiscal 2019 fourth quarter, which ends Jan. 31, down from a previous estimate of $2.7 billion.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • The earlier forecast had already factored in a drop in demand for graphics processing units (GPUs) used in crypto mining, Nvidia said, and sales of the extra graphics cards have kept pace with those expectations.

    "Exiting Q3, we estimated channel inventory would be largely depleted within one to two quarters, or between February and April,"  CEO Jensen Huang wrote in a letter to shareholders. "Our view of that today remains unchanged."

    The problem is that economic woes and uncertainty, particularly in China, hurt demand for GPUs among Nvidia's other customers – gamers and data centers.

    "Q4 was an extraordinary, unusually turbulent, and disappointing quarter," Huang wrote.

    Nvidia will report its full fourth-quarter results on February 14.

    The company has been warning of a "substantial decline" in revenue from cryptocurrency miners for some time now.

    Nvidia anticipated bringing in $100 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2019, but only saw $18 million.

    "Whereas we had previously anticipated cryptocurrency to be meaningful for the year, we are now projecting no contributions going forward," chief financial officer Colette Kress said during an earnings call last summer.

    Its competitor, AMD, had likewise cautioned that a drop in demand for GPUs by miners would "materially" impact its GPU business.

    Nvidia image via michelmond / Shutterstock

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.



    Read more about