Chip sales hit $88.8 billion in February; Intchains and SEALSQ issue 2026 updates
Global chip sales accelerated in February, reaching $88.8 billion, a 7.6% rise from January and 61.8% higher than a year earlier, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said. The trade group, which represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and about two-thirds of non‑U.S.
chip firms, said year-over-year gains were led by the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, and China. SIA President and CEO John Neuffer said robust demand is likely to persist through the rest of the year, with annual sales expected to approach roughly $1 trillion globally.
Against that backdrop, several low-priced, U.S.-listed semiconductor names outlined new metrics and plans. Intchains Group Limited (NASDAQ: ICG) reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of RMB 36.1 million (US$5.2 million), down 51.3% year over year, citing cyclical market fluctuations and softer product demand.
The company posted a Q4 2025 loss from operations of RMB 83.7 million (US$12.0 million), compared with RMB 36.8 million in the prior-year quarter, reflecting lower revenue and gross profit partially offset by reduced operating expenses.
Intchains said it expects to generate revenue in the first half of 2026 from sales of its existing mining machine series launched in 2025, including ALEO, Dogecoin, XTM, and other altcoin-focused products. For 2026, the company said its priorities include margin improvement through cost optimization.
Intchains develops altcoin mining products and engages in the strategic acquisition, holding, and staking of Ethereum-based cryptocurrencies. It also operates a Proof-of-Stake staking platform offering Web3 infrastructure services. SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) reported preliminary financial and operational metrics for the first quarter of 2026 on April 8 and reaffirmed its full-year 2026 financial guidance.
The company recorded approximately $4.1 million in Q1 2026 revenue, an increase of more than 200% year over year, driven by stronger demand across traditional product portfolios and a growing pipeline. SEALSQ said it ended the quarter with commercial momentum supported by scaled production, advances in post-quantum innovation, expanded global partnerships, and positioning in the emerging quantum-security infrastructure market.
The company did not provide additional detail on its reaffirmed 2026 guidance in the announcement. With industry sales improving and select small-cap, U.S.-listed chip players signaling plans for growth, investors will be watching whether demand trends cited by the SIA continue through midyear and how these companies execute on their 2026 priorities.