TSMC Shares Edge Up as Trade Secret Probe Hits 32nd Spot in $2.01B Volume Slide

TSMC’s shares rose 0.11% on August 11, with a trading volume of $2.01 billion, marking a 20.82% decline from the previous day. The stock ranked 32nd in trading activity. Recent developments center on legal and internal actions following allegations of trade secret theft. Taiwanese prosecutors confirmed the detention of three current and former TSMC employees for allegedly misappropriating sensitive manufacturing technology. The company disclosed an internal investigation that uncovered unauthorized access to proprietary data, prompting disciplinary measures and legal proceedings. TSMC emphasized its robust monitoring systems enabled early detection, mitigating potential risks to its advanced semiconductor production, which accounts for over 90% of global advanced chips.

The incident involves potential leaks related to TSMC’s 2-nanometer chip technology, a critical component in AI and high-performance computing. Authorities are probing whether stolen data was shared with third parties, a first under Taiwan’s 2022 national security laws. A former employee allegedly linked to the case now works at Tokyo Electron Ltd., though the firm declined to comment. The case highlights vulnerabilities in protecting cutting-edge semiconductor intellectual property, with implications for TSMC’s technological edge and global supply chain dynamics. TSMC’s clients, including Apple and Nvidia, rely heavily on its fabrication capabilities, raising concerns about potential disruptions.

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