A New Turning Point in Quantum Computing Innovation: Accelerating Commercialization and Expanding Investment by 2026
Editor
The Decisive Moment for Quantum Computing Commercialization
As of early 2026, the quantum computing industry stands at the cusp of transitioning from the laboratory to real-world business environments. Google’s Willow quantum processor, announced in December 2025, features 105 qubits and has demonstrated groundbreaking achievements in quantum error correction, significantly enhancing its commercial viability. Alongside this, IBM’s 1,121-qubit Condor processor and Atom Computing’s 1,000-qubit neutral atom-based system have been unveiled, marking 2026 as the “commercial year one” of quantum computing.
The global quantum computing market is projected to grow twelvefold from $1.5 billion in 2025 to $18 billion in 2026. According to the latest report from the McKinsey Global Institute, this rapid growth is the result of large-scale investments by major companies coupled with government support. Notably, the United States plans to invest $5 billion through the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) in 2026, while China has announced a $15 billion national strategy for quantum technology. The European Union is also allocating €10 billion to its Quantum Flagship program, intensifying the global competition for quantum supremacy.
Key players in the quantum computing sector are pursuing market dominance through various technological approaches. California-based Google is focusing on superconducting qubit technology, dedicating efforts to developing practical algorithms following its achievement of quantum supremacy. IBM, headquartered in New York, is concentrating on gate-model quantum computers to secure enterprise clients, with over 200 companies and research institutions currently participating in the IBM Quantum Network. Meanwhile, Microsoft in Washington state is differentiating itself with research on topological qubits and its quantum cloud service, Azure Quantum.
Expansion of Applications Across Industries and Business Model Innovation
The most notable change in quantum computing in 2026 is the generation of tangible results in specific industry sectors. In the financial services sector, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs have adopted quantum algorithms for portfolio optimization and risk analysis, reporting a more than 100-fold increase in calculation speed compared to traditional methods. Particularly, JPMorgan has commercialized a derivative pricing model using quantum Monte Carlo simulations in partnership with IBM, achieving an annual cost reduction of $2 billion.
The use of quantum computing in the pharmaceutical industry is even more revolutionary. Swiss Roche and U.S.-based Biogen have applied quantum algorithms to molecular simulations and drug development, demonstrating the potential to reduce the traditional 10-15 year drug development cycle to 7-10 years. Quantum computing’s role in predicting protein folding has been pivotal in developing Alzheimer’s treatments. In Korea, Samsung Biologics is collaborating with U.S.-based Rigetti Computing on biopharmaceutical optimization research, with the first results expected in the second half of 2026.
In logistics and supply chain optimization, Germany’s Volkswagen and the U.S.’s Ford have implemented traffic flow optimization systems using quantum annealing. Volkswagen’s pilot programs in Lisbon and Beijing have achieved a 23% reduction in traffic congestion and an 18% decrease in fuel consumption. Building on these successes, Hyundai Motor has announced a $500 million investment in developing quantum-based smart mobility solutions by 2026.
The field of cryptography and cybersecurity starkly illustrates the dual nature of quantum computing. As traditional RSA encryption methods face threats from quantum computers, the post-quantum cryptography market is experiencing rapid growth. Based on the quantum-resistant cryptography standards announced by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2024, Cisco and Juniper Networks are preparing to launch quantum-safe network equipment in 2026. In Korea, Samsung Electronics is investing $300 million annually in quantum cryptography technology, aiming to utilize it as a key security technology for 6G networks.
The market for cloud-based quantum computing services is also growing rapidly. Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) Braket service has secured 50,000 active monthly users, a 300% increase compared to 2025, while Microsoft’s Azure Quantum boasts 1,200 enterprise clients. Google Cloud plans to launch quantum AI services in the first half of 2026, introducing a new business model that combines machine learning with quantum computing.
In the quantum computing hardware market, technological diversity is determining competitive advantage. Canada’s D-Wave Systems maintains a leading position in the quantum annealing field, with plans to release a 5,000-qubit system in 2026. U.S.-based IonQ is differentiating itself with ion trap technology, having announced the achievement of 1,024 algorithmic qubits in the fourth quarter of 2025. China’s Origin Quantum is accelerating its global expansion based on its domestic market, with plans to enter Europe and Southeast Asia in 2026.
However, the quantum computing industry faces significant challenges. The most pressing issues are the still-high error rates and short coherence times. Even the most advanced quantum computers currently have error rates between 0.1% and 1%, whereas experts agree that they need to be reduced to below 0.01% for practical applications. Additionally, the operational costs of cryogenic cooling systems amount to millions of dollars annually, limiting accessibility for small and medium-sized enterprises. The shortage of quantum specialists is also a critical issue, with an estimated global demand for 100,000 quantum engineers, while the current supply is only about 10,000.
From an investment perspective, the quantum computing market exhibits characteristics of long-term growth potential and short-term volatility. The average stock price increase for quantum computing-related companies in 2025 was 150%, but there was significant variation among individual companies. Large corporations like IBM and Google showed relatively stable growth, while startups experienced sharp fluctuations in stock prices following technological achievements. Venture capital investment also increased by 80% year-over-year to $5 billion in 2025, with expectations to exceed $7 billion in 2026.
The outlook for the quantum computing industry in 2026 reflects the characteristics of a transition period with simultaneous technological maturity and commercial application expansion. In the short term, practical achievements in specific fields are expected to drive market growth, while in the medium to long term, the realization of universal quantum computers holds the potential to transform the computing paradigm itself. For investors, it is a time to construct portfolios that balance technological risks with high growth potential. Particularly for Korean companies, there is an opportunity to leverage their technological advantage in memory semiconductors and displays for quantum computing hardware development, necessitating strategic investments to secure global competitiveness.
—
**Disclaimer**: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as investment advice or recommendations. Investment decisions should be made based on individual judgment and responsibility, and there is a risk of capital loss in investments. The analysis of companies or technologies mentioned is based on publicly available information at the time of writing and does not guarantee future performance.
