Key takeaways
- Ian Buck emerged as Polymarket's favorite to replace Jensen Huang
- Nvidia's board reportedly had a meeting to discuss Huang's future
- Nvidia has not confirmed Huang's departure
Nvidia's future leadership is under intense scrutiny, and now, Ian Buck has emerged as the leading candidate to replace CEO Jensen Huang. This is according to the prediction market Polymarket.
The speculation follows reports that Nvidia's board is considering removing its longtime chief executive due to allegations involving personal relationships and potential national security concerns.
According to Reuters, Nvidia's board met on Wednesday, Nov. 11, to discuss Huang's future, which raised a lot of questions about who could lead the world's dominant AI chipmaker if he departs.
Polymarket Favors Ian Buck as Nvidia's Next CEO
Prediction market Polymarket has seen a lot of activity surrounding Huang's potential departure. Traders assigned an 88% probability to Huang resigning or being removed before the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, Polymarket's separate market for Nvidia's next CEO placed Buck in the lead with approximately 25% odds, followed by Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress at 22%. The market attracted roughly $109,148 in trading volume, making the probabilities particularly sensitive to individual trades.
Polymarket odds of who Nvidia’s next CEO could be (Source: Polymarket)
Keep in mind that these odds reflect traders' expectations rather than an official succession decision.
Why Is Jensen Huang Facing Removal?
The leadership uncertainty follows reports of two extramarital relationships involving Huang, including one with a businesswoman allegedly linked to Chinese intelligence.
On Nov. 8, Nvidia announced an independent investigation into reports that Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. The company explained that it had no evidence suggesting national security or corporate secrets were compromised.
Although the board initially expressed confidence in Huang, newer reporting indicates that directors were considering his removal.
These developments also rattled Nvidia investors. Shares fell by more than 8% in extended trading on Wednesday.
Who Is Ian Buck?
Buck is one of Nvidia's most influential technical executives and helped develop CUDA, the computing platform that became central to Nvidia's dominance in artificial intelligence. He currently oversees the company's hyperscale business, which serves major data center customers.
Futurum Equities strategist Shay Boloor identified Buck as Nvidia's strongest long-term internal candidate, due to his technical expertise and leadership experience.
However, Kress is also a potential replacement, particularly if Nvidia appoints an interim CEO while searching for a permanent successor.
What Happens Next for Nvidia?
Nvidia has not officially announced Huang's departure or named a replacement. The company is also approaching its Nov. 17 earnings report, which could give investors some more insight into its leadership situation and business outlook.
