I think you may be mixing demand curve with the supply curve? The supply curve in that case would be 'vertical' at some point. Monopoly prices and and oligopo

I think you may be mixing demand curve with the supply curve? The supply curve in that case would be 'vertical' at some point. Monopoly prices and and oligopoly pricing do not necessarily want to be at MR=MC. Usually that pricing is where max profit is (closer to MD=MC). That in most cases is never to the right of MR=MC in this style market but to the left of it. It makes sense to make less items and make more money as you are not consuming your profit on support type items or factories. > This is also a market with a network effect That is what the demand curve describes. In your hypothetical that would mean the demand curve is more vertical in slope. Higher prices are more likely due to several items. Participants willing to pay more (crypto and ai). But also less companies making the things than 15 years ago so less supply and oligopoly style pricing. Plus one company being the hinge pin on building the chips and another company consuming large portions of its supply. The supply curve shifted left and up. While the demand curve is going the up and right. There is no 'one thing' that causes it. But oligopoly pricing is very much in effect. With 3 companies making the things. > Which isn't actually in their interests once the supply of fab capacity loosens up Which would change the supply curve and they would re-evaluate which way to move the price. That could mean bad things or nothing happens other than possible lower prices (eventually).