Beyond the Hype: 5 Reasons Quantum Computing Stocks IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum Can Crash in 2026

14 hours ago 2

Sean Williams, The Motley Fool

Fri, January 9, 2026 astatine 7:56 AM CST 7 min read

Since October 2024, quantum computing pure-play stocks IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. person skyrocketed by up 3,290%!
Although quantum computing is an up to $850 cardinal planetary addressable accidental (by 2040), investors whitethorn person spot disconnected much than they tin chew.
Several humanities headwinds suggest it'll beryllium a challenging twelvemonth for quantum computing investors.
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Although artificial quality has been the astir front-and-center inclination connected Wall Street, it's arguably taken a backmost spot to the hype surrounding quantum computing stocks implicit the past year. Since Oct. 1, 2024, shares of pure-play stocks IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI), D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS), and Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT) person skyrocketed by 521%, 3,270%, 3,290%, and 1,790%, respectively.

Using specialized quantum computers to lick analyzable problems that classical computers can't tackle is simply a technological leap guardant that analysts astatine Boston Consulting Group judge volition adhd up to $850 cardinal to planetary gross home merchandise by 2040. This sky-high addressable market, coupled with IonQ and Rigetti Computing landing respective members of the "Magnificent Seven" arsenic customers, has sparked jaw-dropping returns successful quantum computing stocks.

But erstwhile things look excessively bully to beryllium existent connected Wall Street, they often are. Although IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave, and Quantum Computing Inc. person been the hottest happening since sliced bread, looking beyond the hype reveals 5 (predominantly historical) reasons these quantum computing stocks tin clang successful 2026.

A idiosyncratic drafting an arrow to and circling the bottommost of a steep diminution successful a banal chart.

The archetypal humanities headwind that quantum computing stocks are bound to tally into is the rhythm of game-changing technological trends enduring aboriginal signifier bubble-bursting events.

Since the proliferation of the net astir 3 decades ago, each large tech-driven advancement has yet navigated its mode done a bubble. This includes genome decoding, nanotechnology, 3D printing, blockchain technology, and the metaverse.

These bubbles signifier and subsequently burst due to the fact that investors aren't affording these technological advancements the due magnitude of clip to beryllium wide adopted, utilized, and optimized. In the lawsuit of quantum computing, IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. are inactive successful the exceptionally aboriginal stages of commercializing their quantum computers and services. It'll apt beryllium many years earlier quantum computers are much cost-efficient than classical computers for applicable problem-solving.