On June 24, 2026, global capital markets experienced a dramatic upheaval.
The previous night, U.S. tech stocks took a heavy hit—the Nasdaq fell 2.21%, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged over 7%, and Micron Technology saw its share price drop more than 13% intraday. On June 23, the Korean stock market faced panic-selling, with the KOSPI Index tumbling 9.99%. Both Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix slid around 12%.
Yet just 24 hours later, the situation flipped entirely. After the market closed on June 24, Micron Technology released its fiscal Q3 2026 earnings report—revenue soared 346% year-over-year to $41.46 billion, and net profit surged nearly 15 times. In after-hours trading, Micron’s stock skyrocketed 16% to $1,214. That same day, Samsung Electronics announced a planned share buyback worth KRW 90 trillion (about $68 billion), sending its stock up nearly 10% to reclaim the KRW 340,500 level. SK Hynix rebounded 2.58%, closing at KRW 2,621,000.
This dramatic reversal was no accident. It reflects an accelerating industry reality: AI memory is no longer a niche segment within semiconductors—it’s now the strategic high ground that determines the competitiveness of global computing infrastructure. From Micron to Samsung, from SK Hynix to NVIDIA, a worldwide arms race is underway around high bandwidth memory (HBM).
More importantly, for global investors, this race is no longer out of reach. In June 2026, Gate officially launched live stock trading, allowing users to buy and sell shares and ETFs from leading markets—such as Micron, Samsung Electronics, and SK Hynix—directly using USDT on the platform. This means the investment pathway from crypto assets to global tech giants is now fully open.
HBM: The "Lifeblood of Compute" in the AI Era
To understand the underlying logic of this competition, it’s crucial to grasp HBM’s core role in AI computing.
HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) uses 3D stacking technology to vertically integrate multiple DRAM dies, creating ultra-short data paths and delivering bandwidth density far beyond traditional memory. In large model training and inference, even the most powerful GPUs are bottlenecked if memory bandwidth can’t keep up. As industry analysts put it, "The effectiveness of AI computing depends on the memory architecture that supplies its lifeblood."
Morgan Stanley reports that global HBM capacity has jumped from about 10 TB in 2020 to roughly 18 PB in 2026—a leap of several orders of magnitude. SEMI forecasts the global HBM market will grow 58% in 2026 to $54.6 billion, making up nearly 40% of the overall DRAM market.
The real issue is supply and demand. Although Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have shifted about 70% of their new capacity toward HBM, the supply gap still stands at 50% to 60%. All three suppliers’ annual capacity was fully booked by Q1 2026, and shortages are expected to persist through 2028. HBM has evolved from a "commodity you can always restock" to "the most scarce strategic resource in the global AI arms race."
The Big Three: Who’s Leading, Who’s Catching Up
According to Counterpoint Research’s Q1 2026 data, global DRAM market share by sales is: Samsung Electronics 38%, SK Hynix 29%, and Micron 22%. After reclaiming the DRAM crown in Q4 2025, Samsung has held the lead for two consecutive quarters.
But in the high-value HBM segment, the landscape is very different.
SK Hynix: The Defender’s Edge and Its Risks
In Q1 2026, SK Hynix held 58% of global HBM sales, remaining number one. However, that’s down 11 percentage points from 69% a year earlier. TrendForce predicts SK Hynix’s HBM share could fall further to about 50% for the full year 2026.
This decline isn’t due to a loss of competitiveness, but rather a shift from "one dominant player" to "a three-way rivalry." HBM now accounts for over 40% of SK Hynix’s revenue, giving it a clear edge in the HBM market. SK Hynix originally planned to deliver HBM4E samples in the second half of 2026, but began shipping to major clients as early as June–July. At COMPUTEX 2026, the company showcased 12-layer stacked HBM4E samples with per-pin speeds up to 16 Gbps and stack bandwidth up to 4 TB/s—about 38% higher than HBM4.
Since the start of 2026, SK Hynix’s share price has climbed over 340%. HSBC Research maintains a "Buy" rating, raising its target price from KRW 2.9 million to KRW 4 million, citing HBM price increases as a strong catalyst for late 2026 and 2027. A potential ADR listing is also seen as a positive trigger.
Samsung Electronics: From Laggard to Challenger
Samsung Electronics struggled in the HBM3E era, failing NVIDIA’s quality certification and losing the DRAM top spot to SK Hynix in Q1 2025. But with HBM4, the tide has turned.
In February 2026, Samsung became the first worldwide to mass-produce and ship HBM4. By May, it delivered the world’s first 12-layer, 48GB HBM4E samples to customers. In just four months since launch, Samsung’s HBM4 sales exceeded $1 billion.
Samsung’s global HBM market share rose from 13% in Q1 2025 to 21% in Q1 2026, up 8 points. Counterpoint Research expects Samsung’s share to keep rising as it supplies HBM4 to NVIDIA. TrendForce forecasts Samsung will hold about 28% of the HBM market in 2026.
From an investment perspective, a June 25, 2026 Nomura report noted Samsung’s stock price at KRW 340,500, implying 96.8% upside. UBS raised its target by 45% to KRW 400,000, with a "Buy" rating.
Micron Technology: A Structural Leap Behind the "Blowout" Earnings
Micron is the market’s biggest surprise in this race.
In fiscal Q3 2026 (ending May 31), Micron posted $41.46 billion in revenue, up about 346% year-over-year. Non-GAAP EPS reached $25.11, nearly 14 times higher than a year ago. The company stated that AI system performance increasingly depends on memory performance and capacity, making memory a "strategic asset" instead of just a "commodity."
In HBM, Micron held 21% market share in Q1 2026, tying with Samsung for second place. TrendForce expects Micron to hold about 22% of the HBM market for the full year. While still trailing SK Hynix, Micron’s 81.6% quarterly revenue growth shows it’s closing the gap quickly.
Citi raised Micron’s target price from $840 to $1,200, arguing the DRAM supercycle is just beginning. Micron’s DRAM bit capacity is expected to grow only 42% in 2026, and with tight supply and booming AI data center demand, the bull case for Micron strengthens.
Capacity, Technology, and Customer Lock-In: The Three-Dimensional Race
The competition among the big three isn’t just about market share—it’s a multidimensional contest in capacity, technology, and customer lock-in.
Capacity: All three have shifted most new capacity toward HBM, but a 50–60% supply gap means tight conditions will persist. Notably, SK Hynix is reportedly adjusting its capacity plans, scaling back some HBM expansion to focus on general DRAM, which has become more profitable. Bernstein estimates that allocating capacity to regular DRAM in 2026 yields over twice the revenue per wafer and nearly triple the gross profit compared to HBM.
Technology: HBM4E is the next battleground. Samsung was first to sample, SK Hynix moved up its timeline, and Micron is accelerating. Whoever gets HBM4E mass production validated by top customers first will have the edge in 2027 orders.
Customer Lock-In: NVIDIA remains the kingmaker. SK Hynix’s HBM4E is expected to feature in NVIDIA’s next-gen AI accelerator "Rubin Ultra." NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang visited SK Hynix’s COMPUTEX booth and wrote "Make more, please" on an HBM4E wafer. Meanwhile, Samsung is among the first to supply HBM4 to NVIDIA. Micron, with its U.S.-based capacity, holds a unique position among North American data center clients.
How to Trade the AI Memory Big Three on Gate
For investors looking to join the AI memory arms race, Gate offers an unprecedentedly convenient channel.
Overview of Gate Stock Trading
On June 1, 2026, Gate launched live stock trading, enabling users to buy and sell U.S. stocks and ETFs directly with USDT. As of June 2026, Gate supports over 12,500 stocks and ETFs, covering the NYSE, Nasdaq, and other major U.S. exchanges.
For the three stocks featured in this article, Gate offers full access:
- Micron Technology: NASDAQ ticker MU
- Samsung Electronics: Korea KOSPI ticker 005930
- SK Hynix: Korea KOSPI ticker 000660
Key Advantages: Why Trade Stocks on Gate
Zero holding costs. Unlike perpetual contracts, which charge funding rates, or CFDs with swap and overnight fees, Gate spot stock trading has zero holding costs—no funding rates, no swaps, no overnight fees.
Ultra-low minimums and fractional shares. Gate supports trading as little as 0.01 shares, letting investors participate with less than the price of a whole share.
Direct USDT settlement, zero FX loss. No need to convert to KRW or USD—just use USDT to buy, and proceeds settle directly in USDT.
Independent account security architecture. Gate stocks use an omnibus account structure, completely separate from contract and spot accounts, with funds managed independently. Even if your contract account is liquidated or your spot account loses money, your stock assets remain unaffected.
One-stop, multi-market trading. One account lets you trade Hong Kong stocks during the day, monitor Korean stocks in the afternoon, and trade U.S. stocks at night, with seamless fund transfers within a single pool.
Discounted fees. Gate stocks are fully integrated into the platform’s VIP tier system. With just $2,000 in holdings, users can upgrade to VIP and enjoy exclusive trading fees as low as 0.023%.
Three-Step Trading Guide
Step 1: Prepare your account and funds. Complete Gate account registration and basic KYC. Deposit or transfer USDT to your unified or trading account.
Step 2: Enter the stock trading section. In the app’s top navigation bar, go to "Finance/Trading" → "Stocks."
Step 3: Search and place your order. Search for the relevant ticker—"MU" for Micron, "005930" for Samsung, "000660" for SK Hynix. Enter the amount or number of shares to buy, confirm your order, and complete the trade. Korean stocks trade from 00:00 to 06:30 UTC (no midday break).
Which Stock Has the Most Potential Right Now?
Based on the latest market data and analyst reports, each stock has its own highlights at this moment:
Micron Technology (MU): Citi’s target price is $1,200, with further upside after earnings. DRAM average prices are expected to rise 200% in 2026, with a global supply gap of 5%. HBM prices are set to climb further in 2027. Micron plans $27 billion in capex for 2026 to accelerate global plant construction and equipment purchases.
Samsung Electronics (005930): Nomura sees 96.8% implied upside. UBS’s target is KRW 400,000 with a "Buy" rating. Samsung’s HBM bit shipments are expected to triple in 2026, reaching 11.2 billion Gb.
SK Hynix (000660): HSBC’s target is KRW 4 million, maintaining a "Buy." HBM operating margins are projected to rise from about 57% in 2026 to 70% in 2027. SK Hynix has filed confidential documents with the SEC, planning a potential Nasdaq ADR as early as August 2026, aiming to raise around $14 billion.
Notably, Gate is currently running a stock trading incentive—new users who complete their first stock trade (accumulating 500 USDT in SK Hynix or Samsung Electronics) can share a $17,000 SK Hynix stock reward pool. High-volume traders can earn up to 2 SK Hynix shares as an airdrop.
Conclusion
From Micron’s "blowout" earnings to Samsung’s epic buyback, from SK Hynix’s HBM defense to the big three racing for HBM4E, the global AI memory arms race is entering a new phase.
At its core, this race is a revaluation of infrastructure in the era of democratized compute. HBM has grown from a DRAM niche to a $54.6 billion strategic market, and memory has evolved from "commodity silicon" to a "strategic asset" that determines AI system performance. The competition among the big three in capacity, technology, and customer lock-in will not only shape the global semiconductor power structure over the next three to five years, but also create unprecedented opportunities for investors worldwide.
For crypto market users, Gate’s stock trading—USDT settlement, zero holding costs, fractional shares, independent account security—lowers the barrier to joining the AI memory investment wave like never before. Whether it’s Micron’s DRAM supercycle, Samsung’s full-court HBM push, or SK Hynix’s leadership and ADR listing prospects, all three stocks are worth watching closely in the second half of 2026.
FAQ
1. What is HBM, and why is it so important for AI?
HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) is a DRAM product that uses 3D stacking to achieve ultra-high bandwidth. In AI model training and inference, GPUs require sufficient memory bandwidth to perform at their best. HBM’s bandwidth density far exceeds traditional memory, making it a critical component for AI accelerators.
2. What are the HBM market shares for Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron?
In Q1 2026, by sales, SK Hynix led the global HBM market with a 58% share. Samsung Electronics and Micron each held 21%, tying for second. TrendForce forecasts full-year 2026 shares of about 50% for SK Hynix, 28% for Samsung, and 22% for Micron.
3. How do I trade Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix stocks on Gate?
After registering a Gate account and completing KYC, deposit USDT. In the app’s top navigation, go to "Finance/Trading" → "Stocks," then search for the tickers—Micron "MU," Samsung "005930," SK Hynix "000660"—to place your order.
4. How is Gate stock trading different from traditional stock trading?
Gate lets you buy and sell stocks directly with USDT, with no need to convert to fiat. You can trade as little as 0.01 shares, so the entry barrier is very low. U.S. spot stocks have zero holding costs—no funding or overnight fees. Stock accounts are completely separate from contract accounts, ensuring fund security.
5. What are the current investment prospects for Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix?
Citi has raised Micron’s target price to $1,200. Nomura sees 96.8% implied upside for Samsung. HSBC raised SK Hynix’s target to KRW 4 million. All three stocks have "Buy" ratings from analysts, but stock investing carries market risk—please make decisions carefully.
