Quantum Computing sparks differing opinions on its practical use in the near term. However, according to Riverlane, a private company that builds Quantum Error Correction (QEC) stack, Quantum computing has moved closer to real-world use in 2025. In a new report, the U.K.-based firm highlighted three major shifts from the past year and shares its predictions for 2026. At the center is a clear theme: progress now depends on building systems that can correct their own errors.
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Quantum Error Correction (QEC) became a top focus. It helps unstable quantum bits operate reliably, which is required to run large-scale quantum systems. Without it, these machines cannot deliver consistent results.
Funding followed that shift. Private firms like Quantinuum reached a $10 billion valuation, while PsiQuantum reached $7 billion. Public companies, including IonQ (IONQ), Rigetti Computing (RGTI), and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), also saw increased investor interest. At the same time, acquisitions began to shape the space. IonQ acquired Oxford Ionics, and Google (GOOGL) bought Atlantic Quantum.
Governments stepped up as well. The U.S. launched the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, aiming for a $1 billion quantum system by 2033. Later, the Department of Energy announced the Genesis Mission. More national programs are expected from Canada, the U.K., and Europe.
A New Metric Gains Ground
The industry also changed how it tracks progress. Qubit counts were once the primary signal, but companies are now shifting toward a clearer metric: QuOps. That stands for quantum operations that run without error.
QuOps allows teams and investors to track what a system can actually do. The metric supports long-term planning and shows real-world gains. It also introduces a growth scale similar to mobile networks, moving from Kilo to Mega to Giga-level systems over time.
In parallel, QEC research grew quickly. Between January and October 2025, 120 peer-reviewed papers on QEC codes were published, up from 36 in 2024. Hardware tests are now underway for all seven major QEC code types.
Still, workforce shortages remain a bottleneck. Riverlane notes there are fewer than 700 trained QEC experts worldwide today. Up to 16,000 may be needed by 2030, and training can take close to ten years.
2026: Focus Turns to Fault Tolerance
According to Riverlane, in 2026, the next key step will be early fault-tolerant systems. These setups combine many error-prone qubits into one system that can handle noise and keep working. The shift is from building better parts to building small systems that work end to end.
Riverlane expects the sector to move away from one-off experiments and toward tracking sustained performance. That means progress in 2026 will depend less on big claims and more on how many reliable operations a machine can run.
For investors, this signals a longer runway. The pace may be slow, but progress is now tied to fundamentals.
Using TipRanks’ Comparison Tool, we’ve assembled a list of notable quantum computing companies to compare them and gain a broader perspective on each stock and the quantum industry as a whole.
