President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at speeding up American quantum computing, according to multiple outlets including ABC News, which reported the orders are meant to "supercharge" the field. SiliconANGLE dated the signing to June 22, 2026.
The two orders pull in opposite-but-related directions. According to Defense One, one directs a "national effort" toward building a useful quantum computer, while the other sets deadlines for adopting quantum-resistant encryption. Several reports, including The Economic Times and Firstpost, say the orders target a powerful or "scientific" quantum computer by 2028. Financial Express framed the goal as "commercially relevant" machines within two years.
The second order addresses a looming security risk: a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break the encryption that protects today's data. Firstpost reported the orders require federal agencies and critical infrastructure to move to quantum-resistant cybersecurity systems by 2031. Yahoo similarly reported a push toward post-quantum cryptography by 2031, with implications for crypto security.
Markets reacted quickly. Investing.com reported that quantum stocks jumped after the signing. Benzinga and Stocktwits highlighted companies in focus, including D-Wave (QBTS), Rigetti (RGTI), IBM, Infleqtion (INFQ) and Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT). Industry players welcomed the move: per PR Newswire, SandboxAQ backed the order as post-quantum cryptography moves toward implementation, and 01net and Yahoo Finance reported Infleqtion welcomed the order as well.
Financial Express also noted the orders touch on military technology and intensify a global quantum talent race.
Why it matters: the orders treat quantum computing as both a prize and a threat—racing to build a breakthrough machine while bracing the nation's data defenses for the day such a machine, in anyone's hands, can crack today's encryption.