US Senate passes GAIN Act, prioritizing domestic AI and HPC chip sales

The provision in the National Defense Authorization Act could create even more economic pain for the crypto mining industry if passed.

The US Senate has advanced sweeping AI legislation under the National Defense Authorization Act, compelling chipmakers to serve US customers first before exporting advanced processors abroad.

On Thursday, senators passed the Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2026, or GAIN Act, as an amendment to National Defense Authorization Act, requiring AI and high-performance chipmakers to prioritize domestic orders before exporting their products.

The GAIN Act also gives Congress the right to deny export licenses for the most high-end AI processors and mandates export licenses for all products containing an “advanced integrated circuit.” 

“Over the past several years, US firms have faced regular backlogs in purchasing chips. In late 2024, Nvidia’s Blackwell line was booked out roughly 12 months ahead,” according to policy advocacy group “Americans for Responsible Innovation.”

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