US considers minority stakes in leading quantum computing companies

The US government is considering taking minority stakes in several quantum computing companies, including IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave, Quantum Computing Inc., and Atom Computing, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Officials are considering arrangements in which Washington would provide funding in exchange for shares, aiming to support strategically important technologies and seek potential financial returns for taxpayers. These discussions follow similar national-security-driven investments in sectors such as semiconductors and critical minerals.

Talks, led from within the Commerce Department, are still at an early stage. Company representatives and federal officials have not announced any finalized deals. Reports mention that involved firms have discussed a potential minimum investment of around $10 million each, though the exact scope and timing remain undecided. Any stakes would likely be minority positions and subject to further negotiation.

Quantum computing is based on quantum mechanics and uses qubits instead of today’s bits, which are either 0 or 1. It has the potential to transform industries and surpass the capabilities of today’s most powerful computers. Quantum computing can impact many fields, including chemistry and healthcare, because it can solve tasks that are too complex or time-consuming for classical computers. Large tech companies like Google and IBM are actively researching and developing quantum computers.

Given its capabilities, quantum computing also poses risks to encryption. This means industries, including blockchain, may need to review their cybersecurity practices and prepare for the post-quantum era. Steps toward this are already being taken. On October 21, hardware crypto wallet developer Trezor introduced its new Safe 7 device with a quantum-ready chip. Trezor noted that quantum attacks are not a threat at present and that quantum computing is advancing slowly, but preparing for future changes is important.

US government in talks to take stakes in quantum computing firms