The Dawn of the Quantum Computing Commercialization Era: The Race for Practical Applications Among Global Companies by 2026
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A Turning Point in Quantum Computing Commercialization
As of January 2026, the quantum computing industry is at a turning point, moving beyond the experimental phase to solving real business problems. IBM, based in New York, announced last week its 1,121-qubit quantum processor, ‘IBM Quantum Condor,’ which reduces error rates by over 90% compared to existing quantum systems, significantly enhancing the potential for commercialization. This represents a tenfold improvement in quantum error correction capabilities compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, with industry experts hailing it as a key milestone in achieving quantum advantage.
The global quantum computing market size is estimated to be $8.7 billion by 2026, reflecting a 42% growth compared to 2025. This rapid growth is driven by the increasing practical application cases in key industries such as finance, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and cybersecurity. Particularly, JP Morgan Chase’s use of IBM’s quantum system to reduce computation time by 95% in portfolio optimization algorithms has created a significant impact in the financial sector.
Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, is promoting the popularization of quantum computing services through its Azure Quantum cloud platform. As of January 2026, the number of Azure Quantum users has increased by 340% year-over-year to 150,000, with corporate clients accounting for 68% of this figure. Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, stated, “Quantum computing combined with artificial intelligence will create a new wave of innovation,” and announced a $10 billion investment in quantum research and development over the next five years.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company based in Mountain View, California, is also taking a unique approach in the field of quantum computing. Google’s Quantum AI team unveiled the ‘Willow’ quantum chip in early 2026, claiming it achieved a processing speed 10^25 times faster than the world’s best supercomputers for specific computational tasks. This clearly demonstrates quantum advantage, showing innovative results in cryptography and machine learning model training.
Global Competitive Landscape and Technological Differentiation
Competition in the quantum computing market is primarily centered around three technological platforms. IBM and Google lead with superconducting qubit methods, IonQ and Honeywell with ion trap methods, and Xanadu and PsiQuantum with photonic-based quantum computing, each competing for market dominance with different approaches. Each method has its unique strengths and weaknesses, offering differentiated solutions depending on the application field.
IBM’s quantum network currently forms the largest quantum ecosystem, with over 200 academic institutions and companies worldwide participating. Notably, South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, KAIST, and POSCO are utilizing quantum computing for semiconductor design optimization and new material development as part of the IBM Quantum Network. Samsung Electronics reported a 30% improvement in design efficiency by adopting quantum algorithms for next-generation memory semiconductor design starting in the second half of 2025.
Google’s quantum system is showing outstanding results in the integration with machine learning. Through the TensorFlow Quantum framework, they developed quantum-classical hybrid algorithms, improving the accuracy of drug molecular structure predictions by 40% compared to conventional methods. This is considered an innovative achievement that could shorten the drug development period in the pharmaceutical industry by 3-5 years.
Microsoft is focusing on developing next-generation quantum technology known as topological qubits. This method has characteristics that make it more resistant to errors than existing quantum systems, potentially providing more stable quantum computing services in the long term. The first demonstration of topological qubits is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, and if successful, it is expected to be a game-changer that could alter the landscape of the quantum computing market.
In Asia, China is rapidly catching up through large-scale national investments. The University of Science and Technology of China’s ‘Jiuzhang’ quantum computer demonstrated performance surpassing Google’s system by manipulating 144 photons in specific sampling problems. The Chinese government announced plans to invest $5 billion annually in quantum technology development from 2026 to 2030, challenging the technological supremacy of the U.S. and Europe.
Japan is also establishing a unique position in the field of quantum computing. The quantum annealing machine jointly developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu in Tokyo is specialized in solving combinatorial optimization problems, showing results in practical applications such as traffic congestion resolution and power grid optimization. Notably, Toyota Motor Corporation announced a 70% improvement in the performance of autonomous driving route optimization algorithms using this system.
ASML, based in Veldhoven, Netherlands, is indirectly participating in the market by providing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology necessary for manufacturing quantum computing hardware. Quantum chip manufacturing requires process technology over ten times more precise than existing semiconductors, leading to a surge in demand for ASML’s next-generation EUV equipment. In the first quarter of 2026, ASML’s quantum-related equipment sales increased by 180% year-over-year to €1.2 billion.
Examining practical business application cases, German chemical company BASF successfully developed an ammonia synthesis catalyst using IBM’s quantum system. This technology, which improves energy efficiency by 25% compared to the traditional Haber-Bosch process, is expected to result in annual cost savings of $1 billion. Additionally, Goldman Sachs adopted a risk calculation model using quantum algorithms, reducing the time required for complex derivative pricing from hours to minutes.
In the security field, quantum encryption technology is entering the commercialization stage. Swiss company ID Quantique and China’s QuantumCTek are leading the construction of quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, with the global quantum encryption network length reaching 7,000 km as of 2026. The adoption of quantum-resistant encryption solutions is accelerating, particularly among financial and government institutions, with the related market size projected to reach $20 billion by 2030.
However, there are still challenges to be addressed in the commercialization of quantum computing. The biggest issue is the high error rate caused by the instability of quantum states. Even the highest-performing quantum systems currently have an error rate of 0.1-1%, which needs to be reduced to below 0.0001% for practical applications. Additionally, the requirement for ultra-low temperature cooling facilities and the shortage of specialized personnel are obstacles to commercialization.
Investment Trends and Future Outlook
Investment in the field of quantum computing is surging in 2026. The global quantum technology investment, combining venture capital and government funding, reached $4.7 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a 65% increase year-over-year. Notably, the U.S. government decided to invest $25 billion over the next decade through the National Quantum Initiative (NQI), while the European Union allocated €10 billion to the Quantum Flagship program.
The revenue growth rate of major companies’ quantum computing divisions is also noteworthy. IBM’s quantum business revenue is projected to grow by 75%, from $800 million in 2025 to an estimated $1.4 billion in 2026. Microsoft’s Azure Quantum service revenue is also expected to grow by over 130%, from $300 million in 2025 to $700 million in 2026. This growth trend indicates that quantum computing is transitioning from an experimental technology to a business model generating revenue.
The South Korean government is also actively pursuing quantum technology development. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced plans to invest 2 trillion won in the ‘K-Quantum Innovation Project’ from 2026 to 2035. Of this, 40% will be allocated to quantum computer development, 30% to quantum communication technology, and the remaining 30% to quantum sensor technology development. Domestic conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and SK Telecom are expanding their quantum technology investments, increasing the likelihood of South Korea joining the group of advanced quantum technology nations by 2030.
Market experts are evaluating 2026 as the ‘Year of Quantum Practicality.’ Gartner’s 2026 report analyzed that “quantum computing has moved beyond the ‘Trough of Disillusionment’ in the hype cycle and entered the ‘Slope of Enlightenment.'” It predicts that commercial quantum advantage will be achieved in four fields—financial modeling, new drug development, logistics optimization, and cybersecurity—by 2027.
According to Deloitte’s latest report, the global economic impact of quantum computing is estimated to reach $850 billion by 2030. Of this, the financial services sector is expected to account for 30% ($255 billion), the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors for 25% ($212.5 billion), and the logistics and transportation sectors for 20% ($170 billion). This demonstrates that quantum computing is not just a technological innovation but a disruptive innovation capable of changing the paradigm across industries.
However, experts advise a cautious approach to investing in quantum computing. The technological uncertainty remains high, and the time to commercialization may be longer than expected. The completion timing of quantum error correction technology is anticipated to have a decisive impact on investment returns, suggesting that closely monitoring the technological development progress of related companies is essential.
As of 2026, the quantum computing industry is finding a balance between technological maturity and commercial practicality. The next 2-3 years are expected to be a crucial period for proving the true commercial value of quantum computing, with technological advancements and market responses during this time likely to determine the long-term industry landscape.
