Quantum Computing

The UK and Germany have forged a partnership to unite their quantum research ecosystems and accelerate commercial deployment of quantum supercomputers, sensors and precision timing. A £6 million UK‑German R&D call launching in 2026 will target prototype‑to‑production development, while £8 million will upgrade photonics infrastructure in Glasgow. Joint efforts include harmonising measurement standards, integrating high‑performance computing via EuroHPC, and supporting aerospace launches. Both governments project quantum technologies could add ~£11 billion to the UK’s GDP by 2045 and sustain over 100,000 skilled jobs.

Horizon Quantum, a Singapore‑based software firm, announced it is the first private company to operate a commercial quantum computer in the city‑state, deploying a proprietary processor built from components by Maybell Quantum, Quantum Machines and Rigetti. Founded in 2018, the startup aims to accelerate quantum‑enabled solutions for pharma, finance, logistics and materials while preparing for a Nasdaq listing via a SPAC merger that values it at about $503 million. The move aligns with Singapore’s national quantum strategy and positions Horizon to capture a share of the projected $30 billion global market.

.Enterprise leaders entering 2026 confront volatility yet trust their firms to perform, driving faster decision‑making and deeper AI integration. Agentic AI is seen as a strategic asset, requiring real‑time data pipelines, secure system access, and production‑grade governance. By year‑end, at least 50 % of staff will need reskilling toward problem‑solving and creativity, as workers favor AI‑enabled roles. Consumers demand transparent data and AI practices, making explainability a product feature. AI sovereignty pushes multi‑cloud, data‑localization strategies, while early quantum experiments focus on limited, high‑value use cases.

.Xeriant (OTCQB:XERI) launched the Factor X Research Group, a Skunk Works‑style unit aimed at accelerating R&D-to‑commercialization across advanced materials, aerospace, AI, quantum computing, and critical infrastructure. Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Blaine D. Holt was appointed president. The group will prioritize the patent‑pending eco‑composite panel NEXBOARD™ for near‑term market entry, pursue multi‑sector deployments, targeted acquisitions, and integrated technology rollouts in defense, aerospace, construction, and infrastructure. Factor X is positioned as Xeriant’s central engine for fast‑tracking innovative, scalable solutions.

AMD shares surged after reports that IBM successfully used AMD’s FPGAs to run a quantum error correction algorithm. IBM confirmed the development, considering it a milestone in their aim to build a large-scale quantum computer by 2029. The breakthrough simplifies quantum computing by using conventional chips, potentially reducing costs. The news also boosted IBM’s stock and other quantum computing companies like D-Wave, Rigetti, and IonQ. This highlights the advancements in heterogeneous computing for quantum applications.

The U.S. Commerce Department denies reports of negotiating equity stakes in quantum computing firms like IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave in exchange for federal funding, despite market reactions to the initial Wall Street Journal report. The denial follows earlier government investments in strategic sectors like semiconductors and rare earth mining, fueling debates about government involvement in private enterprise. Potential applications span various industries, while military implications drive further interest. The sector faces challenges including revenue generation, long development cycles, and a skilled labor shortage. Nonetheless, advancements like Google’s “quantum advantage” attract investment.

Reports of imminent government equity stakes in quantum computing companies like IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have spurred market speculation, though the Commerce Department downplays immediate acquisitions. While acknowledging ongoing funding discussions, particularly regarding national security, companies remain mostly silent. Potential support contrasts with recent semiconductor deals, as quantum firms lack substantial revenue and face intense competition from hyperscalers like Google and IBM. The structure of government intervention, balancing national security needs with taxpayer risk and private investment, remains critical.

The U.S. government is reportedly exploring equity stakes in quantum computing firms in exchange for federal funding, signaling a strategic push to secure leadership in this critical technology. While denied by the Commerce Department, the initial report spurred market gains for companies like IonQ, D-Wave, and Rigetti. This potential move aligns with Washington’s trend of acquiring stakes in companies deemed vital to national security, reflecting concerns about technological competition, particularly with China, and the need to bolster domestic capabilities in strategic sectors like rare earths and semiconductors.

President Trump declared an end to the Middle East conflict, boosting market optimism despite earlier trade tariff concerns. A potential de-escalation with China and JPMorgan’s $10B investment in strategic sectors, including AI, further fueled market gains. Broadcom’s partnership with OpenAI on custom chip development challenges Nvidia’s dominance in the AI chip market. Additionally, the U.S. offered Argentina a $20 billion currency swap to address liquidity concerns before elections.

Quantum computing stocks surged after JPMorgan Chase announced it would include the sector in its new $10 billion investment drive focused on strategic technologies. This initiative is part of a broader $1.5 trillion plan to bolster U.S. national and economic security. Arqit Quantum, D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing, IONQ, and Quantum Computing stocks all saw significant gains. Quantum computing, leveraging qubits and offering exponential computational power, promises to revolutionize fields from drug discovery to cryptography. Companies are actively developing both gate-model and quantum annealing approaches, racing to overcome technological hurdles.