WSJ Tech News Briefing: TNB Tech Minute – Nvidia Invests Another $2 Billion in CoreWeave

Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Julie Chang, The Wall Street Journal

Episode Overview

This Tech Minute episode spotlights Nvidia’s substantial investment of $2 billion into CoreWeave, reflects on the tech industry’s infrastructure demands (especially for AI), and covers major developments in U.S. technology and rare earth supply chains. The session also briefly touches on IonQ’s acquisition strategy to cement its role in quantum computing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nvidia’s $2 Billion Investment in CoreWeave

• Announcement: Nvidia commits another $2 billion to CoreWeave to construct new AI "factories" leveraging Nvidia’s own computing platform, operated by CoreWeave.
  • “Nvidia is pouring an additional $2 billion into CoreWeave. The company said today that they'd build new AI factories on Nvidia, Nvidia's computing platform technology operated by CoreWeave with a goal of 5 gigawatts of capacity by 2030.” (00:20)
• Strategic Goals: The deal targets a massive scale-up to 5 gigawatts of artificial intelligence compute capacity by 2030.
• Nvidia’s Stake:
  • “Nvidia already owned a 6.6% stake in CoreWeave, according to FactSet.” (00:38)

2. Investor Concerns over CoreWeave’s Business Model

• High-Risk Financing:
  • “The chipmaker’s new investment comes amid investor jitters about CoreWeave's model of buying Nvidia chips using high interest debt, then renting access to other AI companies.” (00:40)
• Operational Setbacks:
  • “Concerns about CoreWeave's financing model and a significant delay in one of its data center projects have caused the stock to plunge since October.” (00:50)

3. U.S. Government Moves in Rare Earth Metals

• Strategic Funding:
  • “The Trump administration plans to take a stake in a rare earth metal company as part of a proposed $1.6 billion funding deal.” (01:00)
• Domestic Manufacturing:
  • “USA Rare Earth has a mining project in Texas and plans to manufacture rare earth magnets needed for drones, wind turbines and other technology in Oklahoma.” (01:06)
• Broader Strategy:
  • “The deal is the administration’s latest move to bolster the position of the US in critical industries. Several of those deals have involved the US Government taking equity stakes in companies.” (01:16)

4. IonQ’s Acquisition of Skywater Technology

• Biggest Deal Yet for IonQ:
  • “Quantum computing company IonQ has struck a deal to buy chipmaker Skywater technology for roughly $1.8 billion. The deal is the biggest one yet for IonQ, which has a market value above $16 billion.” (01:24)
• Sectoral Impact:
  • “IonQ aims to solve problems too difficult for traditional computers across a range of industries, for example assisting with drug discovery and national defense.” (01:35)
  • “Skywater is a US Based semiconductor foundry serving industries including quantum computing, defense and aerospace.” (01:39)
• Strategic Ambition:
  • “IonQ's CEO said the deal would help it become the Nvidia of quantum.” (01:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On CoreWeave’s Financing Risks:

  • “The chipmaker's new investment comes amid investor jitters about CoreWeave's model of buying Nvidia chips using high interest debt, then renting access to other AI companies.” — Julie Chang (00:40)

• On U.S. Government Strategy:

  • “The deal is the administration's latest move to bolster the position of the US in critical industries. Several of those deals have involved the US Government taking equity stakes in companies.” — Julie Chang (01:13)

• On IonQ’s Ambition:

  • “IonQ's CEO said the deal would help it become the Nvidia of quantum.” — Julie Chang (01:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:20 – Nvidia announces $2 billion CoreWeave investment and plans for expanding AI data center capacity.
• 00:40 – Investor concerns about CoreWeave’s financial model and impact on stock.
• 01:00 – U.S. Government’s rare earth investment strategy and domestic project highlights.
• 01:24 – IonQ’s acquisition of Skywater Technology for $1.8 billion and sectoral ambitions.

Language and Tone

Julie Chang delivers the episode in a brisk, informative style, characteristic of The Wall Street Journal: direct, data-driven, and focused on key facts relevant to investors and industry watchers.

Conclusion

This Tech Minute encapsulates the high-stakes, fast-evolving landscape of tech infrastructure and strategic resource investments, from Nvidia’s AI ambitions to the U.S. government’s moves in critical supply chains, and the ongoing race in quantum computing. The episode highlights how technological advancement is tightly linked to funding models, government strategy, and the growing demands of AI-driven innovation.