Quantum Computing / PQC

Where it stands

Each step compares the last four complete quarters with the two years before. A theme usually moves left to right: companies push, Congress and the White House act, the government buys, and markets respond.

1. 1. Companies pushing
   Rising

   109 companies and groups lobbied on it in Q2 2026, against 75 a year earlier.

2. 2. Congress
   Rising

   18 bills introduced and 0 became law in the last four quarters, against 10 and 0 a year before that.

3. 3. White House and agencies
   Rising

   0 proposed rules, 0 final rules and 1 presidential action in the last four quarters, against 0 a year before that.

4. 4. Government buying
   Steady

   105 purchase plans and award notices in the last four quarters, against 93 a year before that (records start October 2023).

5. 5. Markets
   Rising

   3 insider purchases in the theme's companies in the last four quarters, against 2 a year before that. Their stocks: -38% over the same year, against +14% for the S&P 500. Among the 50 largest holdings of the funds we track, these stocks were worth $1.0B at the end of Q1 2026, against $181.8M a year earlier; the figure moves with prices and with how many funds rank them that high.

The setup

The US government is rapidly accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by dual executive orders in June 2026. These orders mandate a nationwide transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) for federal systems by 2031 and establish a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery at a Department of Energy facility. This follows earlier defense contracts for quantum computing research and precedes legislative efforts to support quantum exports and critical minerals mapping.

How this developed

1. Dec 12, 2024Department of the Air Force awards University of Maryland $27.1M for SEQCURE quantum computing research (Phase 2).Federal contract
2. Mar 13, 2025Department of the Air Force awards PSIQUANTUM, CORP. $10.8M for optical phase shifter integration in photonics for quantum computing.Federal contract
3. Jun 22, 2026Executive Order mandates federal information systems and critical infrastructure transition to PQC by 2031.Executive action
4. Jun 22, 2026Executive Order updates National Quantum Strategy and establishes QC-ADDS effort to deploy a quantum computer at a DOE facility.Executive action
5. Jun 23, 2026Infineon Technologies AG patents 'JUST-IN-TIME POST-QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY (PQC) KEY EXPANSION'.Patent
6. Jul 2, 2026HR9585 introduced to include quantum information science in Export-Import Bank's China and Transformational Exports Program.Bill
7. Jul 13, 2026HR 9646 introduced, requiring USGS to use quantum gravity gradiometry for critical mineral surveys.Bill
8. Oct 6, 2026Hitachi, Ltd. patents 'CONTROL SYSTEM AND QUANTUM COMPUTER CONTROL METHOD'.Patent

The full story, year by year

* Year to date. Lobbying is the most companies and groups naming the theme in any one quarter. Insider buys are officer and director open-market purchases in IONQ, RGTI, QBTS, QUBT, ARQQ (QUBT from Feb 2018, when each entered the business). Fund holdings are the value of these companies among the top 50 positions of the funds whose 13F filings we track, at the latest quarter of each year. Stock returns are an equal-weight basket of the same companies with prices on file, split-adjusted, without dividends, against the S&P 500 over the same quarters.

• Lobbying before 2025 comes from filings that name the theme; the full lobbying archive is still loading.
• Lobbying reports for Q3 2026 are still being filed, so the comparison uses Q2 2026.

Why it matters

• The Executive Order (E7) mandates a federal transition to PQC by 2031, creating a significant, non-discretionary market for PQC solutions across all federal agencies and contractors.
• The Executive Order (E8) establishes a national effort (QC-ADDS) to develop and deploy a quantum computer at a DOE facility, signaling direct government investment in quantum hardware development.
• Early defense contracts (E1, E2) show the Air Force is already funding specific quantum computing research, indicating a move from theoretical interest to practical application.
• Legislative efforts (E10, E11) are emerging to support quantum technology exports and apply quantum sensing to critical minerals, broadening the scope of federal interest beyond cryptography and computing.

Companies exposed to this theme

The record · 8 items, oldest first

• Dec 12, 2024Federal contractUNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK: SECURING EXPERIMENTAL QUANTUM COMPUTING USAGE IN RESEARCH ENVIRONMENTS (SEQCURE) QUANTUM COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT QUANTUM COMPUTER AND QIST RES
• Mar 13, 2025Federal contractPSIQUANTUM, CORP.: INTEGRATING STATE OF THE ART OPTICAL PHASE SHIFTER IN A PHOTONICS PLATFORM FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING APPLICATIONS: VALIDATION OF QUANTUM CIRCUIT
• Jun 22, 2026Executive actionExecutive Order: Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks
• Jun 22, 2026Executive actionExecutive Order: Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation
• Jun 23, 2026PatentPatent: Infineon Technologies AG — JUST-IN-TIME POST-QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY (PQC) KEY EXPANSION
• Jul 2, 2026BillTo amend the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to include quantum information science and technology in the areas covered by the Program on China and Transformational Exports.
• Jul 13, 2026BillQuantum-Enhanced Critical Minerals Mapping Act of 2026
• Oct 6, 2026PatentPatent: Hitachi, Ltd. — CONTROL SYSTEM AND QUANTUM COMPUTER CONTROL METHOD

Some keyword matches were judged unrelated to this theme and are excluded from the record above.

How this story evolved

• Oct 16, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal32 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Two EOs mandate federal PQC migration by 2031 and establish a national quantum computer development effort at DOE.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by dual executive orders in June 2026. These orders mandate a nationwide transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) for federal systems by 2031 and establish a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery at a Department of Energy facility. This follows earlier defense contracts for quantum computing research and precedes legislative efforts to support quantum exports and critical minerals mapping.

• Oct 15, 2026, 5:15 AM ETreal32 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Executive Orders mandate PQC transition by 2031 and establish a national quantum computing effort at DOE.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its investment and strategic direction in quantum technologies, driven by two recent Executive Orders. These orders mandate a nationwide transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) for federal systems and critical infrastructure by 2031, while simultaneously establishing a national effort to develop a utility-scale quantum computer for scientific discovery. This dual approach addresses both immediate cybersecurity threats and long-term technological leadership.

• Oct 14, 2026, 5:43 AM ETreal32 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Executive Orders mandate federal PQC transition by 2031 and launch national quantum computer effort.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by two significant executive orders issued on the same day. These orders mandate a nationwide transition to post-quantum cryptography for federal systems by 2031 and establish a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery. This dual approach addresses both immediate cybersecurity threats and long-term strategic technological leadership.

• Oct 13, 2026, 5:15 AM ETreal32 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Two Executive Orders mandate federal PQC migration by 2031 and establish a national quantum computer effort at DOE.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by dual concerns of cybersecurity and technological leadership. While early legislative efforts were largely procedural, two Executive Orders in June 2026 significantly escalated federal mandates for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) adoption and initiated a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery. This marks a shift from aspirational policy to concrete, time-bound directives.

• Oct 12, 2026, 5:15 AM ETreal32 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Two Executive Orders mandate federal PQC migration by 2031 and establish a national quantum computer effort at DOE.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by dual concerns of cybersecurity and technological leadership. While early legislative efforts were largely procedural, two Executive Orders in June 2026 significantly escalated federal mandates for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) adoption and initiated a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery. This marks a shift from aspirational policy to concrete, time-bound directives.

• Oct 11, 2026, 5:15 AM ETreal34 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Executive Orders mandate federal PQC transition by 2031 and establish a national quantum computer development effort.

  The US government is accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by dual executive orders that mandate a nationwide transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and establish a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery. This push involves multiple agencies prioritizing quantum sensing, networking, and supply chain initiatives, alongside a clear directive for federal contractors to comply with new PQC standards.

• Oct 10, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal33 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Two Executive Orders mandate federal PQC migration by 2031 and establish a national quantum computer effort at DOE.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by dual concerns of cybersecurity and technological leadership. While early legislative efforts were largely procedural, two Executive Orders in June 2026 significantly escalated federal mandates for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) adoption and initiated a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery. This marks a shift from aspirational policy to concrete, time-bound directives.

• Oct 9, 2026, 5:15 AM ETreal35 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Executive Orders mandate federal PQC transition by 2031 and establish a national quantum computer effort at DOE.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by two executive orders in June 2026. These orders mandate a nationwide transition to post-quantum cryptography for federal systems and critical infrastructure, while simultaneously establishing a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery. This dual approach addresses both the defensive and offensive capabilities of quantum technology.

• Oct 8, 2026, 5:15 AM ETreal35 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Executive Orders mandate PQC transition by 2031 and establish a national quantum computer effort at DOE.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) initiatives. This push is driven by recent executive orders that mandate a nationwide PQC transition for federal systems and critical infrastructure, alongside a new national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery. Agencies like NIST and DARPA are actively seeking industry capabilities to support these ambitious goals.

• Oct 7, 2026, 5:42 AM ETreal35 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Executive Orders mandate PQC transition by 2031 and establish a national quantum computer effort at DOE.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) initiatives. This push is driven by recent executive orders that mandate a nationwide PQC transition for federal systems and critical infrastructure, alongside a new national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery. Agencies like NIST and DARPA are actively seeking industry capabilities to support these ambitious goals.

• Oct 6, 2026, 5:15 AM ETreal39 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  Executive Orders mandate federal PQC transition by 2030 and establish a national quantum computer effort at DOE.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by two significant executive orders in June 2026. These orders mandate a nationwide transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) for federal systems and critical infrastructure, while simultaneously establishing a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery at a Department of Energy facility. This dual approach addresses both immediate cybersecurity threats and long-term strategic technological leadership.

• Oct 5, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal33 recordslatest record Sep 29, 2026

  Executive Orders mandate federal PQC transition by 2030 and establish a national quantum computer development effort.

  The US government is rapidly accelerating its commitment to quantum technologies, driven by two significant executive orders issued on the same day. These orders mandate a nationwide transition to post-quantum cryptography for federal systems by 2030 and establish a national effort to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery. This dual approach addresses both immediate cybersecurity threats and long-term technological leadership.