Quantum computing is hot right now. Shares of pure play quantum computing stocks have been soaring, and the hype train has clearly left the station. Investors should know, however, that quantum computers have never been used to solve a real-world problem faster than a traditional computer and that useful quantum computers could very well be decades away.

Trapped-ion quantum computing leader IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) is emerging as a potential leader in the commercialization of quantum computing through its trapped-ion technology approach. Unlike traditional superconducting quantum competitors,

Rigetti (RGTI) is dropping 23%, while IonQ (IONQ) is giving back 10% and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), which disclosed today that it may sell more shares of its stock, is plunging nearly 30%. The sector is dropping sharply again after Meta (META) CEO Mark Zuckerberg suggested that quantum computing would not be “practical” for a long time.

Alphabet recently made breakthroughs with its Willow chip that caused shares of quantum computing stocks Rigetti and D-Wave to soar. Many industry experts estimate useful quantum computing is one or two decades away,

A day after quantum computing stocks took it on the chin again after Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) CEO Mark Zuckerberg cast doubts on the sector’s viability in the near term, they are rising sharply once more.

At the CES 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang claimed useful Quantum Computing was at least 15 years away. This caused the stock prices of many quantum computing stocks to crash considerably.

Quantum computing has the potential to accelerate how companies and scientists process data, which could lead to more advanced artificial intelligence, better weather predictions, and medical breakthroughs.