Nvidia (NVDA.O) became the first company in history to reach a $5 trillion market valuation on Wednesday, driven by a meteoric rally that has positioned it at the center of the global artificial intelligence revolution.
The milestone highlights Nvidia’s rapid evolution from a niche graphics-chip maker into a foundational player in AI, turning CEO Jensen Huang into a Silicon Valley icon. Since ChatGPT debuted in 2022, Nvidia shares have soared 12-fold, helping fuel the S&P 500 to record highs and sparking debate over potential tech market bubbles.
The $5 trillion mark eclipses the total cryptocurrency market and is roughly half the size of Europe’s Stoxx 600 index. “Nvidia hitting a $5 trillion market cap is more than a milestone; it’s a statement,” said Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. “The market continues to underestimate the scale of the opportunity.”
Shares rose 4.6% following announcements including $500 billion in AI chip orders and plans to build seven supercomputers for the U.S. government. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s high-end Blackwell chip remains a focal point in U.S.-China tech negotiations, with President Trump expected to discuss it with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
At current prices, Huang’s stake in Nvidia is valued at approximately $179.2 billion, making him the world’s eighth-richest person, according to Forbes.
