what are the quantum computing stocks — 2026 guide
Quantum computing stocks
Quick answer: If you’re asking "what are the quantum computing stocks," you mean publicly listed companies whose businesses meaningfully involve quantum hardware, software, services, enabling components, or quantum-safe security. This guide explains the main categories of quantum computing stocks, notable tickers, how the market tracks them, and how to research and monitor exposure — with timely market context (as of Jan 12, 2026) and practical notes for trading on Bitget.
Background and industry context
Quantum computing stocks attract attention because quantum computing promises new ways to solve certain classes of problems (optimization, chemistry simulation, cryptography, sensing) that classical computers struggle with. The field divides broadly into hardware and software stacks, and by device type:
- Gate-model (universal) quantum computers — e.g., superconducting qubits (IBM, Rigetti), trapped ions (IonQ).
- Quantum annealers / quantum-inspired optimizers — e.g., D‑Wave.
- Photonic and other architectures — some startups and research teams pursue photonics, neutral atoms, topological approaches.
Commercial timelines remain uncertain: many companies are focused on prototypes, cloud access, hybrid quantum-classical workflows, and niche enterprise contracts today rather than broad consumer products. That long and uncertain commercialization path is why investors discuss "what are the quantum computing stocks" differently from mainstream tech plays — exposure ranges from pure-play startups to large-cap incumbents with quantum divisions.
Categories of public companies with quantum exposure
Below are the practical categories investors use to classify quantum computing stocks.
Pure-play quantum hardware companies
These firms make quantum processors, systems, or annealers as their primary business. Revenue may come from system sales, cloud access, government and research contracts, and services. Examples include IonQ (trapped-ion systems), Rigetti (superconducting full-stack), D‑Wave (annealing and hybrid solvers), and smaller publicly traded vendors. Pure-plays tend to be higher-volatility, capital-intensive, and dependent on technical milestones.
Quantum software, algorithm and cloud-service providers
Some public companies and teams focus on SDKs, compilers, middleware, quantum application development, and cloud orchestration. Their products make quantum systems more usable for developers and enterprises and can be offered as SaaS or via cloud marketplaces. These firms often partner with hardware providers and large cloud platforms to reach customers.
Legacy tech and large-cap companies with quantum programs
Major tech firms invest in quantum R&D and provide cloud access to quantum resources: IBM (IBM Quantum), Alphabet/Google (Quantum AI), Microsoft (Azure Quantum), and Amazon (Amazon Braket). Their quantum exposure differs from pure-plays because quantum is one of many businesses; financial performance is dominated by broader cloud and software revenues rather than quantum alone.
Enabling technologies and component suppliers
Quantum systems require cryogenics, control electronics, precision lasers, photonics, high-coherence materials, and specialized packaging. Public companies that supply components (cryostats, control chips, high-quality superconducting materials, or photonic components) can benefit from quantum industry growth without building whole quantum machines.
Quantum-related cybersecurity and cryptography companies
Quantum computers threaten some current cryptographic methods, prompting demand for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum-safe key distribution. Public companies working on PQC, quantum key distribution (QKD), or related services form a distinct subtype of quantum computing stocks focused on security rather than compute hardware.
Notable public quantum computing stocks (short company notes)
(Each entry: 1–2 sentences summarizing quantum activity, ticker, and investor relevance.)
IonQ (Ticker: IONQ)
IonQ builds trapped-ion quantum computers that emphasize qubit coherence and algorithmic flexibility; it offers cloud access through multiple partners and remains a widely followed pure-play quantum computing stock.
Rigetti Computing (Ticker: RGTI)
Rigetti is a full‑stack developer of superconducting qubit systems and cloud services; its modular QPU strategy aims to scale compute capacity, but the company has shown significant price and revenue volatility in public markets.
D‑Wave (Ticker: QBTS)
D‑Wave specializes in quantum annealing and hybrid solvers for optimization workloads; it has commercial deployments and positions itself for enterprise adoption of quantum-assisted optimization.
Quantum Computing Inc. (Ticker: QUBT)
Quantum Computing Inc. focuses on specialized photonics-inspired systems, software, and entropy solutions and is a small-cap public company that markets quantum-related products and services.
Quantinuum / Honeywell (IPO potential / public exposure)
Quantinuum, formed from Honeywell’s quantum unit, developed commercial quantum systems and enterprise offerings; reports of an IPO or increased public-market activity make it an important name to watch for broader market exposure to high-end trapped-ion/quantum solutions.
Major tech companies with quantum programs (IBM, Alphabet/Google, Microsoft, Amazon)
IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon maintain leading quantum research programs and provide cloud-based quantum access and developer tooling; investors track them for durable R&D pipelines and ecosystem influence rather than narrow quantum revenue.
Other public companies and compilations
Specialist compilations (Quantum Computing Report public companies list, Barchart collections) and curated investor lists (e.g., BlueQubit, Motley Fool summaries) provide broader rosters of public firms with varying levels of quantum exposure.
Quantum-focused ETFs and pooled investment vehicles
Investors who ask "what are the quantum computing stocks" sometimes prefer pooled exposure via ETFs or specialty funds that aggregate hardware, software, and enablers. These vehicles select constituents using screens for quantum-related mentions, R&D activity, or partnerships. Advantages include diversification and professional selection; limitations are index construction rules (may overweight larger non-pure-play tech names), potential dilution of pure quantum exposure, and varying rebalancing approaches. When available, read fund prospectuses to understand inclusion criteria and expense ratios.
How investors evaluate quantum computing stocks
Key financial and technical metrics
- Financial metrics: revenue composition (product vs. services vs. grants), R&D intensity, cash runway, gross margin trends, and dependency on government contracts. Quantifiable figures (market cap, daily volume) matter for liquidity and valuation context.
- Technical milestones: qubit counts, coherence times, gate fidelities, error rates, progress on error correction, and demonstrated quantum advantage for targeted workloads.
- Commercial traction: enterprise pilots, cloud integrations, government awards, and partnerships with large software or systems players.
Analyst coverage and market sentiment
Specialist outlets (Motley Fool, Barchart, Investor’s Business Daily) and mainstream financial media (CNBC) provide coverage that ranges from technical explainers to buy/sell commentary. For quantum computing stocks, initial coverage often focuses on milestone delivery and partnership announcements; sentiment can swing widely around perceived technical progress.
Investment strategies and horizons
Common approaches include small speculative allocations to pure-plays, diversified exposure through ETFs or large-cap techs with quantum research, and thematic baskets combining hardware, software, and enablers. Many investors treat quantum names as long-horizon, high-risk exposures given uncertain commercialization timing.
Risks and challenges
Quantum computing stocks face unique technical and commercial challenges:
- Technical risk: error correction, scaling qubit counts with usable performance, and cross-architecture competition.
- Commercial risk: long timelines to profitable product-market fit, capital intensity, and the risk that classical or quantum-inspired solutions outperform early quantum systems.
- Valuation and liquidity risk: small-caps and pure-plays can be highly volatile and thinly traded.
- Security risk: quantum advances will drive interest in post-quantum cryptography, but adoption cycles for replacement cryptography can be long.
All market participants should treat sector developments with measured expectations and verify claims via primary sources.
Recent market developments and news (timeline)
As of January 12, 2026, according to Barchart, futures and sentiment softened and several tech and quantum-related stocks experienced volatility; headlines noted new partnerships for D‑Wave and rapid price swings for Rigetti earlier in 2025. Market coverage during late 2025 and early 2026 highlighted both milestone-driven rallies and subsequent selloffs in speculative quantum names.
- As reported by Barchart and summarized across specialist outlets, Rigetti’s stock reached record highs in October 2025 and later retraced substantially; public filings cited market-cap swings and revenue timing issues. (Source notes: Nasdaq and Barchart coverage; see company filings for detailed dates and figures.)
- Investor’s Business Daily and industry sources reported that Quantinuum (spun out from Honeywell’s quantum unit) explored IPO options, a development investors track as a potential large-cap pure quantum entrant.
- Mainstream and specialist outlets recently compiled public-company lists and updated constituent rosters (Quantum Computing Report, BlueQubit, Barchart), which are useful for monitoring new listings or changes in public exposure.
When you review headlines, check the original company press releases and SEC filings for confirmation of milestone dates, revenues, and forward guidance.
How to research and monitor quantum computing stocks
- Company filings (10‑Ks, 10‑Qs, S‑1/S‑4): primary source for audited financials, risk disclosures, and management discussion.
- Earnings calls and investor presentations: for management commentary on commercialization and timeline expectations.
- Specialist sites: Quantum Computing Report, BlueQubit, Barchart collections, and technical preprints for milestone verification.
- Mainstream finance outlets: CNBC, Investor’s Business Daily, Motley Fool summaries for market context and coverage.
- Technical papers and conferences: technical milestones are often first announced in journals, arXiv preprints, or at conferences; cross-check with company announcements.
Practical trading note: check liquidity (average daily volume) and market capitalization before placing trades; small quantum names can experience wide intraday spreads.
Tax, regulatory and practical investing considerations
- Trading venue and tax regime: U.S.-listed quantum computing stocks are subject to U.S. tax rules for capital gains and dividends; non-U.S. investors should consult local tax guidance.
- Liquidity: smaller quantum-cap names can be thinly traded; position sizing should reflect liquidity constraints.
- Due diligence: verify technical claims against peer-reviewed reports, company demos (recordings), and corroborating third-party partnerships.
If you trade equities for exposure to quantum computing, consider whether the stock is available on Bitget and store credentials or keys in Bitget Wallet for secure access to your trading account (note: Bitget provides trading services for a range of securities depending on market availability; confirm individual ticker access in the Bitget platform).
Outlook and future trends
Analysts and industry participants expect the near- to mid-term commercial value to concentrate in: optimization and hybrid quantum-classical solvers, quantum-inspired algorithms, niche chemical/drug discovery simulations, and sensing applications. Breakthroughs in error correction and fault-tolerant qubits would be game-changing, but timelines remain uncertain. Large tech firms’ sustained R&D and cloud integration efforts are likely to shape ecosystem adoption and standards.
See also
- Quantum supremacy
- Quantum annealing
- Quantum error correction
- Post-quantum cryptography
- Cloud quantum services: IBM Quantum, Azure Quantum, Amazon Braket (note: platform availability varies)
References and further reading
Sources used to compile this guide include industry compilations and investor coverage such as Motley Fool, BlueQubit, Barchart, Quantum Computing Report, CNBC company profiles, and Investor’s Business Daily reporting. For any specific company claim, consult the company’s press releases and SEC filings for verification.
Market context note: As of January 12, 2026, according to Barchart, market sentiment showed softness with futures weaker and volatility in technology and quantum-related names; headlines cited D‑Wave gaining a notable ally and Rigetti’s earlier 2025 rally and subsequent pullback (Barchart, Nasdaq summaries). For precise, up-to-date market figures (market cap, volume, price ranges), consult the issuing company’s filings and quote pages on your trading platform.
Practical next steps (how to act on this information)
- If you’re evaluating "what are the quantum computing stocks" for portfolio exposure, start by making a curated watchlist that separates pure-plays, enablers, and legacy tech names.
- Use primary filings and milestone confirmations to update your thesis as companies publish new technical or commercial results.
- For trading execution and custody, check Bitget to see which quantum-related tickers are available and use Bitget Wallet for secure credential storage.
This article aims to explain what are the quantum computing stocks and how to follow them. It does not provide investment advice. Verify all data with primary sources before making decisions.
