Posted on 05/21/2026 9:40:45 AM PDT by Miami Rebel
Quantum computing shares popped on Thursday, following reports that the U.S. government will award $2 billion in grants to nine firms operating in the space.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on the deals, which will see the U.S. government take equity stakes in the companies.
IBM is reportedly the biggest beneficiary of the package, with the U.S. Commerce Department agreeing to give the firm $1 billion, per the WSJ.
Shares of IBM were trading about 7% higher.
The company is a frontrunner in the movement to build supercomputers using quantum technology, which developers say will be able to solve complex problems existing computers cannot tackle.
Chipmaker GlobalFoundries is receiving $375 million, according to the WSJ, with other grant recipients D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing and Infleqtion expected to be awarded $100 million. Startup Diraq is reportedly set to receive a $38 million grant.
Shares of D-Wave and Rigetti soared 23%were last seen trading 16% higher, while Infleqtion skyrocketed about 30% higher. Arqit also boomed 30%, while IonQ popped 11% and Quantum Computing was up 17%.
The deals still have to be formally completed. Funding is reported to come from the 2022 Chips and Science Act.
CNBC has reached out to the U.S. Commerce Department for comment.
Shortly after the WSJ published its report, IBM confirmed that it would work with the U.S. government to develop America’s first purpose-built quantum foundry, supported by the proposed $1 billion award. The company said the initiative will “accelerate American quantum innovation and enable advanced quantum wafer production for a broad range of companies.”
IBM said the incentive from the Commerce Department will support the research and development efforts of a new IBM company called Anderon, to which IBM will contribute a $1 billion investment to match the government grant.
“Headquartered in Albany, New York as a standalone company, Anderon will operate as a state-of-the-art 300-millimeter quantum wafer foundry,” IBM said in a news release. “It will help the nation solidify its leadership at the center of a thriving new quantum industry that is estimated to generate up to $850 billion in economic value by 2040 and spur American economic growth while also bolstering national security.”
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Between chips and rare earth, our government has taken to emulating the Chinese state capitalism model.
At least Chinese state capitalism benefits Chinese people.
This money will just go to dot Indians and of course...Chinese
At least Chinese state capitalism benefits Chinese people.
I am starting to hear this sentiment a lot, even from some Conservative circles, that we should emulate China.
Don’t be fooled.
Works for my BTQ position!
Quantum computing is complete horseshit.
Cryptocurrency, Fart coin and tulips
“U.S. government will award $2 billion in grants”
_____________________________
I thought we were going to cut spending. The government isn’t awarding this....its us taxpayers.
China is COMMUNIST. I thought republican / conservatives were against communism. Isn’t that why we fought in Viet Nam, to prevent communist North Viet Nam to take over.
So rename it to Chinese state capitalism.....and its now admired. What has happened to us?
I’m not.
But the question is - if foreign state capitalists are allowed to compete in the same markets, then who wins?
China has obliterated American competition all over the map, and will continue to do so as long as we let them.
Trumpy Bear was hip to that. Definitely did a lot about it and still is - but of course only to the extent that Pope Roberts will allow him to. Gotta make sure the Gringos don’t win, right Johnny?!
There are lots of analyses - usually out of CATO or other free market fundamentalists - showing that Chinese interference in their own markets actually benefits us. But they never seem to address long term loss of industry because of it. Think it’s really obvious that Chinese fascism - er, “state capitalism” - worked really well for them - cue the pic of Shenzen in 1980 and then in 2025.
The rules of international “trade” needs to exclude the use of government ringers playing on the field.
Please give us your esteemed opinion on the horseless carriage, the wireless music box, and flying machines.
Not to be confused with the tape library and storage company, Quantum (former big time player in hard drives)
Government owning companies and picking winners is not state capitalism. It is actually fascism. I am not calling them “Nazis”, but rather true facists. It doesn’t make any less distasteful.
Imagine knowing what company is in line for the “Trump treatment” before it happens. It would make Nancy look like a high school day trader.
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