Quantum Stocks Are Climbing Today as CHIPS Act Cash Pours In. Here’s One Way to Invest.

Quantum computing stocks rallied on Tuesday as the U.S. Department of Commerce finalized $100 million CHIPS and Science Act awards to each of three pure-play quantum firms — D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), Rigetti Computing (RGTI), and Quantinuum (QNT) — totaling $300 million in combined federal investment.

In exchange for the funding, the Commerce Department will acquire minority, non-controlling equity stakes in Rigetti and D-Wave, a structure designed to provide potential upside for U.S. taxpayers while avoiding interference with corporate governance.

The catalyst sent D-Wave shares up roughly 6%, Rigetti up 3%, and Quantinuum up approximately 1%, all outperforming a broadly declining market weighed down by rising oil prices and new Canadian retaliatory tariffs.

D-Wave intends to deploy its $100 million toward developing a 100,000-qubit annealing system and a 10,000-qubit gate-model quantum computer capable of 100 logical qubits, targeting applications in optimization, materials simulation, and quantum AI.

Rigetti's award funds three specific hardware initiatives: miniaturized readout electronics, expanded cryogenic infrastructure, and high-connectivity quantum chip fabrication, all aimed at overcoming key bottlenecks in scaling superconducting quantum systems.

Quantinuum will use its allocation to advance trapped-ion quantum technology in collaboration with GlobalFoundries (GFS) on next-generation ion traps manufactured on 300mm wafers. GlobalFoundries itself secured the largest individual award at $375 million, underscoring the federal government's parallel emphasis on strengthening the broader quantum supply chain.

Despite the day's gains, the year-to-date performance of these stocks remains deeply negative, with Rigetti down 29% and D-Wave down 33% for 2026, meaning Tuesday's pop only recovered a small fraction of losses accumulated throughout the year.

Both companies still carry substantial cash reserves — each roughly $540–$546 million at the end of the second quarter — but revenue generation remains minimal, with Rigetti reporting just $5.1 million and D-Wave approximately $3.1 million in Q2 revenue.