INFQ News & Events

Welcome to the latest edition of "Quantum Leap" where The Fly decodes news and activity in the quantum computing space.PRECISION TIMING SOLUTION:Infleqtionannounced availability of the first quantum-enabled precision timing solution delivered as part of the company's partnership with global civil and military equipment manufacturer Safran Electronics & Defense. The new solution includes Infleqtion's Tiqker quantum optical clock, which has been integrated and validated with Safran's White Rabbit and SecureSync systems.QUANTUM VULNERABILITIES IN CRYPTOCURRENCY:Google Quantum AIsaid in a blog post, "In a new whitepaper, we show that future quantum computers may break the elliptic curve cryptography that protects cryptocurrency and other systems with fewer qubits and gates than previously realized. We want to raise awareness on this issue and are providing the cryptocurrency community with recommendations to improve security and stability before this is possible, including transitioning blockchains to post-quantum cryptography, or PQC, which is resistant to quantum attacks. To share this research responsibly, we engaged with the U.S. government and developed a new method to describe these vulnerabilities via a zero-knowledge proof, so they can be verified without providing a roadmap for bad actors. We urge other research teams to do the same to keep people safe. We look forward to continuing our work across the industry following our 2029 timeline alongside others working on responsible approaches, like Coinbase, the Stanford Institute for Blockchain Research, and the Ethereum Foundation… In our whitepaper, we share updated estimates of the quantum computing "resources" necessary to break the 256-bit elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem on which elliptic curve cryptography is based. We express our resource estimates in terms of the number of logical qubits (error-corrected qubits composed of hundreds of physical qubits) and Toffoli gates (expensive elementary operations on qubits that are the primary driver of the time needed to execute many algorithms). Specifically, we have compiled two quantum circuits that implement Shor's algorithm for ECDLP-256: one that uses less than 1,200 logical qubits and 90 million Toffoli gates and one that uses less than 1,450 logical qubits and 70 million Toffoli gates. We estimate that these circuits can be executed on a superconducting qubit CRQC with fewer than 500,000 physical qubits in a few minutes, given standard assumptions about hardware capabilities that are consistent with some of Google's flagship quantum processors. This is an approximately 20-fold reduction in the number of physical qubits required to solve ECDLP-256 and a continuation of a long history of gradual optimization in compiling quantum algorithms to fault-tolerant circuits. Most blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies currently rely on ECDLP-256 for critical aspects of their security. As we argue in our paper, PQC represents a well-understood path to post-quantum blockchain security, underwriting confidence in the long-term viability of cryptocurrencies and the digital economy in a world with CRQCs. We provide examples of post-quantum blockchains and experimental PQC deployments on otherwise quantum-vulnerable blockchains. We note that while viable solutions like PQC exist, they will take time to implement, bringing increasing urgency to act. We also lay out additional recommendations for the cryptocurrency community to help improve security and stability in the short term and long term, including refraining from exposing or reusing vulnerable wallet addresses as well as potential policy options to address abandoned cryptocoins."QPU SALE:Rigetti Computingannounced that it has sold a 9-qubit Novera QPU to the University of Saskatchewan. The Novera QPU, which was shipped in March, will be at the core of USask's first quantum computing system. The system will be managed by USask's Centre for Quantum Topology and its Applications, an interdisciplinary institute devoted to advancing quantum science and quantum technology development.NEW ALGORITHM CLASS:IBMand ETH Zurich announced a 10-year collaboration to advance the next generation of algorithms at the intersection of AI and quantum computing. This initiative represents the latest milestone in the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions. Over the next decade, IBM and ETH Zurich aim to create new classes of algorithms capable of bridging classical computing, machine learning, and quantum systems to address some of the day's critical challenges in business. IBM will also support the creation of professorship positions and research projects at ETH Zurich, with the goal of advancing the algorithmic expertise of the next generation workforce.ECHONET CONSORTIUM:Sealsqannounced it has joined the Echonet Consortium, an international standardization body for smart home and energy management systems. The Echonet Consortium plans to enhance its Echonet Lite security framework with public key infrastructure technology, and Sealsq aims to contribute to enhancing the identity, authentication, and reliability of Echonet Lite devices by providing its INeS PKI platform services to consortium members.SIMULATION OF MAGNETIC MATERIALS:IBM announced new results that its quantum computer can simulate real magnetic materials with results that match neutron scattering experiments. The work, reported in a pre-print, was conducted by scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Quantum Science Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Purdue University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee and IBM. The company said, "The ability to design new materials-such as better superconductors, more efficient batteries, or novel drugs-depends on understanding quantum behavior that is often challenging for classical methods to model. While quantum computers are expected to address this challenge, it has remained unclear whether today's processors could deliver quantitatively reliable simulations of real materials. These results show that current quantum hardware, combined with new algorithms and quantum-centric supercomputing workflows, can already simulate properties of materials, which in general, can be difficult to predict using classical methods alone."UK INVESTMENT:Rigetti announced that it intends to invest up to $100M in the UK to accelerate quantum computing development, which will be the company's first major investment outside of the U.S. With this investment, the company plans to deploy a quantum computer with over 1,000 qubits in the next three to four years. This follows the UK's recently announced program that will dedicate up to GBP 2B of government investment with the aim of establishing the UK as a global leader in quantum computing.

Infleqtion announced availability of the first quantum-enabled precision timing solution delivered as part of the company's partnership with global civil and military equipment manufacturer Safran Electronics & Defense. The new solution includes Infleqtion's Tiqker quantum optical clock, which has been integrated and validated with Safran's White Rabbit and SecureSync systems.

Welcome to the latest edition of "Quantum Leap" where The Fly decodes news and activity in the quantum computing space.QUANTUM SPACE ORBITAL CLOUD:Sealsqand WISeSat.Space will partner to develop and operate the world's first commercial Quantum Spatial Orbital Cloud, or QSOC. The program plans to deploy a 100-satellite constellation delivering quantum key distribution, quantum random number generation and post-quantum identity services as a subscription offering to enterprises and governments worldwide. The program plans to deploy satellites incrementally from 2024 through full operational capability in 2033. At full operational capacity, WISeSat is expected to operate a dedicated QSOC constellation for Sealsq, and Sealsq is expected to deliver a contractually guaranteed 99.9% uptime service-level agreement to its customers. This project, which is subject to, amongst other requirements, final approval by the board of directors of Sealsq, is believed to be the first such commitment ever made for a quantum security service.NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY:Quantum Cyberannounced a strategic update in response to the Trump Administration's newly released National Cybersecurity Strategy, outlining the company's positioning within the quantum and cyber defense landscape. The company said, "Quantum Cyber views the White House's strategy as a direct validation of the Company's core business thesis. The convergence of quantum computing and cybersecurity — two domains at the center of the Trump Administration's framework — represents one of the most significant growth opportunities in the technology sector over the coming decade. The Company believes its name, focus, and developing capabilities place it at the intersection of both priority areas identified by the federal government. Building on the momentum of the Trump Administration's cybersecurity framework, Quantum Cyber's management team is actively evaluating a pipeline of strategic acquisition candidates operating in quantum computing, post-quantum cryptography, zero-trust network architecture, and adjacent cybersecurity disciplines. The Company believes that a targeted acquisition strategy will accelerate its ability to build an operationally active platform with measurable revenue potential in sectors directly aligned with U.S. national security priorities. The Company is currently conducting preliminary due diligence on several opportunities and is engaged in discussions with potential targets."REGISTERED DIRECT OFFERING:Sealsq has entered into a securities purchase agreement with several institutional investors to purchase 30,413,630 ordinary shares and accompanying warrants to purchase up to 60,827,260 ordinary shares priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules. The combined purchase price per ordinary share and accompanying warrants was $4.11. The warrants will have an exercise price of $5.50 per ordinary share, will be immediately exercisable, and will expire seven years following the date of issuance. Gross proceeds for the offering are expected to be approximately $125M, before deducting commissions and offering expenses. The offering will be led by an affiliate of Heights Capital Management. Maxim Group is acting as the sole placement agent for the offering. The offering is expected to close on or about March 17, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.100 PHYSICAL QUBITS:Infleqtionhas delivered the UK's only operational 100-physical-qubit quantum computing system at the National Quantum Computing Centre with its Sqale platform, achieving a milestone the NQCC identified as "a critical objective" for the UK's quantum strategy. Achieved in December 2025, the milestone creates infrastructure that will enable researchers and industry to begin working with large-scale quantum systems. "This is a defining moment for Infleqtion and the UK's ambition to build world-class sovereign quantum capabilities. Achieving this milestone has been a key goal for the UK's quantum efforts and seeing it become reality is something we are all immensely proud of," said Colin Sullivan, managing director of Infleqtion UK. "We look forward to expanding our partnership with UK researchers, businesses and government to unlock the full potential of quantum technology."PQC IN DRONES:Sealsq and Parrot SA announced the expansion of their strategic collaboration to integrate post-quantum cryptography, or PQC, technologies from Sealsq into Parrot's next generation of professional drones. Carlos Moreira, chairman and CEO of Sealsq, said: "Drones are becoming essential tools for governments, defense, public safety, and industrial operations worldwide. Having contributed to build the security foundation of Parrot's ANAFI USA and ANAFI Ai platforms, we are proud to take our partnership to the next level by integrating post-quantum cryptography directly into Parrot's next drone generation. With frameworks like CNSA 2.0 now setting binding PQC migration timelines for national security systems, being quantum-ready is no longer optional for platforms serving government and defense customers, it is a requirement. Our collaboration with Parrot demonstrates the importance of embedding quantum-resistant security at the semiconductor level to protect critical autonomous systems and ensure their long-term regulatory compliance."FAULT TOLERANT:IQM Quantum Computers and Zurich Instruments announced a joint project to build and operate a real-time quantum error correction demonstrator, enabled by the NvidiaNVQLink platform. The company believes this project marks a significant milestone toward scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computing designed for enterprise and datacenter deployment. "Quantum processors and supercomputing are converging and together are expanding the scope of problems we can approach with computing," said Tim Costa, Vice President and General Manager for Quantum, NVIDIA. "The connectivity needed between quantum processors and accelerated computing is demanding, but IQM and Zurich Instruments' work with the NVIDIA NVQLink platform demonstrates that such low latency, high throughput integrations are now possible."CYBERSECURITY RISKS:Sealsq also announced that its CEO, Carlos Moreira, participated in the Cantor Quantum Security Event in New York, where experts, investors, and technology leaders gathered to discuss the growing cybersecurity risks posed by the emergence of quantum computing. During a roundtable discussion focused on the future of cryptographic protection in the quantum era, Moreira emphasized the need for organizations to begin transitioning to post-quantum cryptography to safeguard sensitive data and critical infrastructure. "Organizations should begin deploying post-quantum protection as soon as possible," said Moreira. "The strategic answer is not to predict Q-Day perfectly; it is to remove quantum-vulnerable cryptography from high-value systems before the prediction matters."REFERENCE ARCITECTURE:IBMunveiled the industry's first published quantum-centric supercomputing reference architecture, a new blueprint for integrating quantum computing into modern supercomputing environments. The architecture shows how quantum processors can work alongside GPUs and CPUs-across on-premises systems, research centers, and the cloud-in order to tackle scientific challenges that no single computing approach can solve on its own. "More than four decades ago, Richard Feynman envisioned computers that could simulate quantum physics," said Jay Gambetta, director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow. "At IBM, we've spent years turning that vision into reality. Today's quantum processors are beginning to tackle the hardest parts of scientific problems-those governed by quantum mechanics in chemistry. The future lies in quantum-centric supercomputing, where quantum processors work together with classical high-performance computing to solve problems that were previously out of reach. IBM is building the technology and systems that brings this future of computing into reality today."