In this (LAES) to build silicon-based quantum systems, Xanadu’s early steps into drug design, and BTQ Technologies’ ($BTQ ) strategic move in South Korea. We also touch on new research linking math, physics, and the simulation theory, along with fresh concerns around AI consciousness. Let’s begin! SEALSQ Puts Its Bets on Silicon for Quantum Scale-Up SEALSQ has laid out its strategic plan for 2026 through 2030 with a clear message: the future of quantum computing may not require cryogenic cooling or advanced lab equipment. Instead, the firm wants to bring quantum into the mainstream by using the same silicon and chip tech found in today’s phones and servers. While some firms stick with helium-cooled superconducting systems, SEALSQ is taking a different path. Its plan centers on building qubits with CMOS, the chip standard used in almost every device. That makes the tech easier to create, test, and ship. According to CEO Carlos Moreira, scaling quantum won’t just come down to physics. It will come from using what already works in high-volume chipmaking. That includes trusted supply chains, power savings, and security features baked into hardware. COO Loic Hamon added that helium-based systems will still help science. But for broader use in secure systems, AI, or cloud networks, silicon-based designs might be the better fit. The company also tied its plan to growing calls from governments for secure and traceable tech. These systems could be easier to regulate and roll out in defense, energy, and finance. Xanadu Tests Quantum for Cancer Drug Discovery Xanadu, a private photonic quantum firm set to go public via a SPAC deal, has developed a quantum tool for cancer treatment design. The tool helps model how light-activated drugs, called photosensitizers, work in the body. These are used in photodynamic therapy, a treatment that kills tumor cells with light. The framework uses quantum simulations to test how well these drugs absorb light and trigger cell death. Some of these steps are tough for classic systems, which makes quantum a good match for the job. So far, Xanadu has tested four compounds and has more work ahead. The team aims to use the tool to identify better drug candidates and reduce the need for real-world lab work early on. This research comes as the company moves closer to a listing. Xanadu plans to go public via a merger with Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp (CHAC). The deal could raise up to $500 million and would see shares trade on both Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange. BTQ Expands Post-Quantum Security Work in South Korea BTQ Technologies BTQ has invested in Keypair, a South Korean firm that makes secure hardware for national networks. The move gives BTQ shared rights to Keypair’s post-quantum cryptography work and sets the stage for joint tech builds. Keypair already has hardware in place across South Korea’s power and defense systems. That includes chips used by Korea Electric Power Corporation and defense vendors Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1. BTQ sees this as a way to expand its roadmap and deploy secure chips across sectors such as finance, ID systems, and payments. The company was also added to the Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) following this month's index rebalancing. New Thinking on Simulated Universes On a different front, new research from David Wolpert, a professor at the Santa Fe Institute, has added math to a long-standing question in science and philosophy: Can one universe fully simulate another? Wolpert’s paper uses the Church–Turing thesis, a rule that treats any physical system as a computer, and links it to Kleene’s second recursion theorem, a logic rule from the 1930s. The result shows that if a universe can simulate another, it could also be fully simulated by the same system in return. This changes the way some experts view the idea of nested or tiered simulations. Instead of layers with limits, the model shows that they could all be equal in complexity and accuracy. It also opens the door to the idea of simulation loops, where one world creates another, and the chain never ends. Though not tied to markets, the work builds a new base for research into AI, quantum theory, and even digital ethics. A Philosopher Warns Against AI Hype As firms race to build smarter AI, one voice from the University of Cambridge is urging caution. Philosopher Tom McClelland says we may never know if AI systems are truly conscious. He argues that since we don’t yet understand what makes us conscious, we can't build a test for machines. McClelland’s work calls for agnosticism; the idea that we simply can’t know for sure. He also warns that the tech industry may use the gray area to boost claims and hype up products that mimic emotion or awareness. He draws a line between “consciousness” and “sentience.” The first means a system knows it exists. The second means it can feel good or bad. From an ethical view, only sentience matters. As AI tools get more lifelike, the risk grows that people treat them as aware, even when there’s no proof. McClelland says this could distort public debates and pull attention away from real-world ethics concerns.">Monday edition of quantum computing news, we look at a new push by SEALSQ (LAES) to build silicon-based quantum systems, Xanadu’s early steps into drug design, and BTQ Technologies’ ($BTQ ) strategic move in South Korea. We also touch on new research linking math, physics, and the simulation theory, along with fresh concerns around AI consciousness.
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Let’s begin!
SEALSQ Puts Its Bets on Silicon for Quantum Scale-Up
SEALSQ has laid out its strategic plan for 2026 through 2030 with a clear message: the future of quantum computing may not require cryogenic cooling or advanced lab equipment. Instead, the firm wants to bring quantum into the mainstream by using the same silicon and chip tech found in today’s phones and servers.
While some firms stick with helium-cooled superconducting systems, SEALSQ is taking a different path. Its plan centers on building qubits with CMOS, the chip standard used in almost every device. That makes the tech easier to create, test, and ship.
According to CEO Carlos Moreira, scaling quantum won’t just come down to physics. It will come from using what already works in high-volume chipmaking. That includes trusted supply chains, power savings, and security features baked into hardware.
COO Loic Hamon added that helium-based systems will still help science. But for broader use in secure systems, AI, or cloud networks, silicon-based designs might be the better fit.
The company also tied its plan to growing calls from governments for secure and traceable tech. These systems could be easier to regulate and roll out in defense, energy, and finance.
Xanadu Tests Quantum for Cancer Drug Discovery
Xanadu, a private photonic quantum firm set to go public via a SPAC deal, has developed a quantum tool for cancer treatment design. The tool helps model how light-activated drugs, called photosensitizers, work in the body. These are used in photodynamic therapy, a treatment that kills tumor cells with light.
The framework uses quantum simulations to test how well these drugs absorb light and trigger cell death. Some of these steps are tough for classic systems, which makes quantum a good match for the job.
So far, Xanadu has tested four compounds and has more work ahead. The team aims to use the tool to identify better drug candidates and reduce the need for real-world lab work early on.
This research comes as the company moves closer to a listing. Xanadu plans to go public via a merger with Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp (CHAC). The deal could raise up to $500 million and would see shares trade on both Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
BTQ Expands Post-Quantum Security Work in South Korea
BTQ Technologies BTQ has invested in Keypair, a South Korean firm that makes secure hardware for national networks. The move gives BTQ shared rights to Keypair’s post-quantum cryptography work and sets the stage for joint tech builds.
Keypair already has hardware in place across South Korea’s power and defense systems. That includes chips used by Korea Electric Power Corporation and defense vendors Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1.
BTQ sees this as a way to expand its roadmap and deploy secure chips across sectors such as finance, ID systems, and payments. The company was also added to the Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) following this month’s index rebalancing.
New Thinking on Simulated Universes
On a different front, new research from David Wolpert, a professor at the Santa Fe Institute, has added math to a long-standing question in science and philosophy: Can one universe fully simulate another?
Wolpert’s paper uses the Church–Turing thesis, a rule that treats any physical system as a computer, and links it to Kleene’s second recursion theorem, a logic rule from the 1930s. The result shows that if a universe can simulate another, it could also be fully simulated by the same system in return.
This changes the way some experts view the idea of nested or tiered simulations. Instead of layers with limits, the model shows that they could all be equal in complexity and accuracy. It also opens the door to the idea of simulation loops, where one world creates another, and the chain never ends.
Though not tied to markets, the work builds a new base for research into AI, quantum theory, and even digital ethics.
A Philosopher Warns Against AI Hype
As firms race to build smarter AI, one voice from the University of Cambridge is urging caution. Philosopher Tom McClelland says we may never know if AI systems are truly conscious. He argues that since we don’t yet understand what makes us conscious, we can’t build a test for machines.
McClelland’s work calls for agnosticism; the idea that we simply can’t know for sure. He also warns that the tech industry may use the gray area to boost claims and hype up products that mimic emotion or awareness.
He draws a line between “consciousness” and “sentience.” The first means a system knows it exists. The second means it can feel good or bad. From an ethical view, only sentience matters.
As AI tools get more lifelike, the risk grows that people treat them as aware, even when there’s no proof. McClelland says this could distort public debates and pull attention away from real-world ethics concerns.
We used TipRanks’ Comparison Tool to line up all the quantum stocks mentioned in the piece alongside other notable ones. It’s a quick way to see how they stack up and where the field could be heading.
