Quantum Breakthroughs Are Shifting the Investment Narrative
The case for quantum as a long-term investment theme rests less on near-term revenue and more on where the underlying science currently stands and what recent technical milestones suggest about the trajectory ahead.
For years, the central problem was that quantum systems became more error-prone as they scaled. More qubits meant more noise, not more power. Google's Willow chip was a significant development in this regard-it demonstrated exponential error reduction as qubit counts increased, a phenomenon known as going "below threshold." This had been one of the field's most stubborn barriers. (1)
Separately, Microsoft introduced Majorana 1, a topological qubit architecture that uses new superconducting materials to host inherently more stable qubits, with the company claiming a clear path to scaling up to one million qubits on a single chip. (2)
From Experimental Tech to Strategic Asset: Why Quantum Is Gaining Momentum
On the commercial side, early applications are beginning to emerge. HSBC reported using IBM's Heron quantum computer to improve bond trading predictions by 34% compared to classical computing, while Quantinuum's Helios system has been tested by JPMorgan Chase, Amgen, and BMW for commercially relevant research. (3)
Government investment reflects the strategic weight being placed on the technology. The U.S. National Quantum Initiative invested $2.5 billion between 2019 and 2024, while China committed approximately $140 billion through its national venture fund for quantum development. (4)
The BlueStar® Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index (BQUM) which tracks this ecosystem, returned +36.69% in 2025, outpacing its technology category benchmark of +22.78%, though volatility remains a defining characteristic of the theme.
Chart: BlueStar® Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index (BQUM) - 1 year performance from 03/31/2025 to 03/31/2026
(1) https://www.spinquanta.com/news-detail/quantum-computing-industry-trends-2025-breakthrough-milestones-commercial-transition
(2) https://www.spinquanta.com/news-detail/latest-quantum-computing-news-and-quantum-research
(3) https://www.networkworld.com/article/4088709/top-quantum-breakthroughs-of-2025.html
(4) https://www.spinquanta.com/news-detail/quantum-computing-industry-trends-2025-breakthrough-milestones-commercial-transition
About the Author(s):
Kinjal Shukla is Index Researcher and Data Engineer at MarketVector IndexesTM. She is responsible for the design and development of MarketVector indexes and for creating data infographics. Kinjal has cleared FRM Level 1 having come from a risk profile in Barclays, India. She has a degree in a Master of Science in Financial Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, USA, and an MBA-Tech degree from NMIMS-MPSTME University, India.
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