"Q-Day Will Arrive Sooner Than Expected"... Stocks to Buy Now [Weekend Money]

"Q-Day Could Arrive Before 2030"
IonQ Is Already Building a Mass-Production System
Quantum Security Is Becoming Increasingly Important

Analysts say quantum security technology will attract attention sooner than expected as IonQ builds a mass-production system for quantum computers.

A visitor examines a model of a superconducting 50-qubit quantum computer at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science booth at Quantum Korea 2025, held at the aT Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Yonhap News Agency

According to Hana Securities, quantum computers have moved beyond the experimental-equipment stage and are entering the early stages of commercialization.

Hana Securities cited IonQ's efforts to establish a mass-production system as a key example. IonQ's trapped-ion approach enables full connectivity between ion qubits through resonance, giving it an advantage over superconducting systems in speed and latency when implementing complex, large-scale algorithms. The technology had been difficult to scale because generating quantum gates by using lasers to vibrate ions is challenging. However, in September 2025, IonQ acquired Oxford Ionics and secured technology for generating gates using electric currents instead of lasers. As quantum technology becomes semiconductor-based, gate generation and control become less challenging, making mass production possible.

IonQ has since moved to secure mass-production technology as well. It acquired U.S. foundry company SkyWater in July 2026 and partnered with quantum startup SDT in September 2026 to establish mass-production facilities. The two companies plan to build a global hub in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, to oversee IonQ's quantum memory packaging, manufacturing, and system assembly.

Analysts say Q-Day, when existing public-key cryptographic systems become completely ineffective, is approaching as quantum computers advance. Government agencies and major tech companies in various countries had expected Q-Day to arrive in 2030, but IonQ's effort to establish a mass-production system suggests it could come sooner. If quantum technology becomes semiconductor-based and is mass-produced, as in IonQ's case, the disabling of security networks could accelerate further. Lower quantum-system costs through mass production of chips, together with the development of an ecosystem, would inevitably lead to more advanced quantum algorithms.

Hana Securities researchers Lee Sang-hoon and Kim Hong-sik said, "If Q-Day arrives sooner, the quantum security industry will grow accordingly. We recommend focusing on WooriNet, the leading supplier of transmission equipment to two of the three domestic telecom carriers, and ICTK, which developed Via PUF, an unclonable means of storing encryption keys, and supplies it to global tech giants. As Q-Day draws closer, we expect investment demand among domestic related stocks to concentrate on these two companies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.