After an extremely positive statement from its CEO, IonQ (IONQ) stock is surging and currently ranks among the market’s top movers.
A leader in the quantum computing space, the company is known for commercializing and developing trapped ion machines. This refers to a type of quantum computing in which computations are performed by ionized atoms that can be precisely controlled, creating a more stable user experience.
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The industry is sometimes overshadowed by other tech areas, such as artificial intelligence (AI). But over the past month, many quantum computing stocks have been performing extremely well, making it increasingly difficult for investors to ignore their progress.
Today’s announcement is a further indication that industry leaders are extremely optimistic about the future of quantum computing.
IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi is extremely optimistic about his company’s future.
Image source: Bloomberg/Getty Images
IonQ CEO has an ambitious vision for his company
Since trading began May 22, IonQ stock has been rising steadily and isn’t showing signs of slowing down. As of this writing, it is up almost 40% for the day, and its current trajectory suggests it is likely to continue trending upward.
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As noted, this positive momentum can be attributed to a recent statement from CEO Niccolo de Masi, who is highly optimistic about his company’s growth prospects. In an interview, he compared IonQ to two of the most prominent companies in the graphics processing unit (GPU) space.
“We’re in the business of quantum, just like Nvidia and Broadcom are in the business of classical GPUs,” de Masi states. “I believe IonQ will be the Nvidia player. There will be other people that copy us and follow us; they have always copied and followed us.”
This comparison may seem flattering, as Nvidia (NVDA) and Broadcom are two of the world’s most successful chipmakers. Their GPUs have done much to help power the AI revolution and usher in a new era for the tech sector.
However, some experts have speculated that the rise of quantum computing is poised to help take AI even further, as the two technologies can work simultaneously and allow for new innovations. This includes D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) CEO Dr. Alan Baratz, who shared this take with TheStreet in January 2025.
D-Wave stock surged earlier this week when it announced the release of Advantage2, its latest quantum computing system. The company’s leaders have hailed it as a pivotal advancement both for their firm and for the industry.
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De Masi’s claims may be specific to his own company, but they seem to be boosting other quantum computing stocks as well. D-Wave is up 23% for the day, and fellow quantum computing company Rigetti Computing is up 26%.
Can IonQ become the Nvidia of quantum computing?
In January 2025, quantum computing stocks plunged when Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicted that the technology was likely decades away from having practical applications. A few months later, however, he invited multiple industry leaders to join him at the first Nvidia Quantum Day event and offered a revised statement.
Related: Quantum computing news sends D-Wave Quantum’s stock price surging
Since then, many quantum stocks have demonstrated fairly strong growth, while companies have revealed progress. Now the CEO of one of the industry’s most prominent companies believes his firm can achieve an ascent similar to that of Nvidia.
Some experts may highlight the fact that Nvidia is also working to gain a share of the quantum computing market. In March 2025, it revealed plans to build an accelerated quantum research center in Boston, Mass.
However, de Masi remains unfazed by this and seems steadfast in his conviction that IonQ can continue to demonstrate the type of growth it would need to be considered the Nvidia of quantum computing. “We feel good about our competitive positioning because, at the end of the day, we are trying to drive the ecosystem,” he says.
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