Could Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s exit trigger a crypto market selloff?

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s potential departure has raised concerns about another cryptocurrency market selloff, as Polymarket traders have placed the odds of his resignation or removal by the end of 2027 at 89%.

According to Polymarket data from November 12, traders assigned a 60% probability to Huang leaving his position that day, with the odds rising to 64% by November 13 and 77% by November 30.

The December 31, 2026, contract stood at 82%, while the March 31, 2027, market showed an 87% probability.

Trading activity across the contracts had reached approximately $16.63 million, including $4.67 million in the December 2026 market.

The growing expectations follow reports that Nvidia’s board is considering removing Huang amid allegations involving two extramarital relationships, one of which has attracted scrutiny from U.S. intelligence officials and lawmakers.

Nvidia leadership crisis has already hit crypto-linked markets

The uncertainty surrounding Huang has already affected Nvidia shares and cryptocurrency platforms offering exposure to the company’s stock.

Nvidia fell approximately 8% in after-hours trading on Wednesday, November 11, following reports that its board was preparing to discuss the chief executive’s future.

The selling reached decentralized derivatives markets, where Nvidia-linked perpetual futures on Hyperliquid dropped as much as 10%, according to The Block.

NVDAx, a tokenized version of Nvidia stock issued through xStocks, fell approximately 9% before recovering some of its losses to trade near $159.51.

The reaction highlights how developments involving major technology companies can now reach cryptocurrency trading platforms directly through tokenized equities and stock-linked derivatives.

As previously reported by crypto.news, decentralized exchanges handling real-world asset perpetual futures recorded $365 billion in trading volume during the third quarter of 2026.

Stock-linked contracts accounted for approximately $175 billion of that activity, representing nearly half of the quarterly total.

Could Jensen Huang’s departure push Bitcoin and AI tokens lower?

Bitcoin could face renewed selling pressure if Nvidia’s leadership uncertainty triggers another decline across technology stocks and prompts investors to reduce their exposure to risk assets.

A similar pattern emerged on November 5, when Bitcoin fell more than 6% toward $75,000 as technology stocks suffered heavy losses following the U.S. midterm elections.

The Nasdaq Composite declined 5.5% during that session, while Nvidia shares lost more than 9%. More than $1 billion in leveraged cryptocurrency positions were liquidated over 24 hours.

Market analysts have previously warned about this connection. Russell Thompson, chief investment officer at Hilbert Group, recently identified $65,000 as a potential downside target for Bitcoin if losses in AI and semiconductor stocks force investors to liquidate cryptocurrency holdings to meet margin calls.

AI-related cryptocurrencies, including Bittensor (TAO), Render (RENDER), and Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), could face similar pressure if concerns about Nvidia affect sentiment toward the artificial intelligence sector.

Bitcoin mining companies with growing AI infrastructure businesses represent another potential area of exposure.

Several publicly traded miners have expanded into AI computing, securing more than $70 billion in infrastructure contracts as they reduce their dependence on cryptocurrency mining revenue.

A prolonged decline in AI infrastructure investment could affect expectations surrounding those businesses, particularly companies relying on new data center agreements and financing.

Why is Nvidia considering removing Jensen Huang?

The leadership uncertainty follows a November 12 New York Times report alleging that Huang had an extramarital relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of health care.

Five people who worked at Nvidia described the relationship to the publication, while two said the executives were seen being affectionate at a San Jose hotel during the company’s GTC conference in March.

Huang, 63, and Powell, 48, are both married to other people. Nvidia’s code of conduct requires employees to avoid conflicts of interest involving personal relationships.

The allegations follow an earlier controversy involving Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman whom U.S. intelligence officials reportedly identified as an intelligence asset working for Beijing.

Nvidia’s board subsequently opened an investigation led by law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

Republican leaders of three House committees have requested a closed-door briefing with Huang concerning his interactions with Alice.

China has denied the espionage allegations.

According to Reuters, Nvidia’s board was preparing to consider Huang’s future following the latest disclosures, with the company’s leadership and succession arrangements facing scrutiny.

Nvidia’s next quarterly earnings report is scheduled for November 17, when investors are expected to examine the company’s financial outlook and management situation.