Investing in Quantum Computing: The Next Big Opportunity?

Let us explore a revolutionary new technology that may not feel “investable” today, but could be a game-changer over the next decade holds the potential to yield massive returns for investors: quantum computing. Let us explore investing in quantum computing in 2025.

We speak to investors every day, and what we’ve noticed recently is simple: all of them are curious about “the next big thing”, but they want to understand what’s real, what’s a fad, and what risks they’re taking when they invest early.

Over the last few days we had multiple clients asking: “I saw something about quantum computing on the news and they say it is the future of computers, so can I invest in that?” The answer is usually: you can invest in shares of the company behind it or buy a basket of companies developing quantum computers through an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). Let us explore this further.

How Do Quantum Computers Work?

Traditional computers process information using bits, which are either 0 or 1. That’s the foundation of almost everything digital: phones, laptops, cloud servers, AI models, and the data centres powering the modern internet.

Quantum computers use qubits. A qubit can behave differently from a normal bit because it can represent a combination of states under certain conditions (often explained as being “0 and 1 at the same time”, although the practical reality is a bit more nuanced). The important takeaway for investors is this:

Quantum computing is not “a faster laptop.” It’s a different way of computing that may be dramatically better at specific problem types.

Quantum computers are being developed because there are problem categories that quickly become impossible for classical computers at useful scale, even with enormous computing power.

Areas where quantum could be valuable include:

• Chemistry and materials science: simulating molecules and reactions more accurately (potential impact: batteries, catalysts, industrial materials).

• Drug discovery and biomedical research: accelerating parts of the discovery process by improving simulation and optimisation.

• Optimisation problems: complex logistics, routing, scheduling, and portfolio-style optimisation (not guaranteed, but a major research focus).

• Cybersecurity and cryptography: eventually challenging some widely used encryption methods, and driving the shift toward post-quantum cryptography.

The Constraints With Quantum

Quantum machines require extremely controlled environments. Many leading approaches require ultra-low temperatures (near absolute zero), specialised hardware, and significant physical infrastructure. This is one reason quantum computing is still largely in the R&D phase, with limited commercial deployment.

That brings us to the investor reality: timelines matter. Most quantum-focused companies today are not being valued like mature businesses. They’re being valued on future potential, technical milestones, partnerships, and the probability of eventual commercial adoption.

If you are interested in future-looking technologies with huge growth opportunities for investors, we recommend you also see our article on AI Robots: Why Elon Musk Believes This Will Be His Biggest Product Ever

Investing in Quantum Computing

There are two common routes: individual shares or a thematic ETF.

1) Individual shares:

Below are three examples of very different stocks, available to trade on our online investment platforms, with direct exposure to the development of quantum:

• IonQ (IONQ:xnys)
  Often linked to quantum computing development and commercial partnerships, with investor attention driven by future growth expectations rather than current profitability.

• Rigetti Computing (RGTI:xnas)
  A smaller name, typically viewed as earlier-stage and more speculative.

• IBM (IBM:xnys)
  A very different risk profile: an established business with multiple revenue streams, where quantum is part of a broader strategy (cloud, enterprise software/services, infrastructure). For many investors, this is a way to gain indirect exposure while staying anchored in a profitable, diversified company.

Investor takeaway: these are not comparable like-for-like. You’re choosing between early-stage exposure (more upside/downside) and diversified incumbents (less pure-play exposure, potentially less volatility tied to quantum headlines).

2) A quantum computing ETF:

If you don’t want single-company risk, a quantum-themed Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) can be a practical starter position. Investors may look at ETFs available on our trading platforms, such as the:

• VanEck Quantum Computing UCITS ETF (QNTM:xmil); or the
• Wisdomtree Quantum Computing UCITS ETF (WQTM:xetr).

However, the same warning applies: thematic ETFs can be volatile, and holdings may include companies that are only partly involved in quantum (hardware suppliers, IT infrastructure, software, semiconductors, etc.), and so investors are exposed to non-quantum computing risks.

If you go the ETF route, the sensible investor approach is usually:

• keep position sizing modest,

• expect a bumpy ride,

• and consider staged entries over time rather than trying to time one perfect price.

This talk about the future of IT infrastructure also begs an important question: what will protect these computers from commercial espionage and hackers? If you are interested in the answer to this question and the opportunities it may yield for investors then we recommend you see our article on the Cybersecurity Crisis: How Can Investors Profit

Risks When Investing In Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is exciting, but it is not a guaranteed straight-line investment theme. The main risks are:

• Commercialisation risk: impressive demos don’t always become scalable and marketable products.

• Timeline risk: breakthroughs can take longer than markets expect.

• Technology risk: multiple approaches exist, and not all will win.

• Valuation risk: many quantum names can trade more on narrative than fundamentals, and so have sky-high valuation ratios.

• Dilution/financing risk: early-stage companies often raise capital repeatedly.

Exciting future technologies like quantum computing may be flashy and all over the headlines, but if you are interested in learning about another silent trend that remains undiscovered by investors, and may represent a massive opportunity for returns, we recommend you see our analysis on Investing in Longevity/Anti-ageing Stocks: a $38 Trillion Opportunity

The Bottom Line For Investors

Quantum computing may redefine what computers can do in certain fields, and it’s one of the technologies investors should keep on their radar, especially as demand for computing power grows alongside AI, robotics, security, and advanced manufacturing.

But it’s still early. For most long-term investors, this is best treated as a high-volatility thematic allocation to gain exposure, not a core portfolio foundation.