Quantum computing firms flee Europe for US markets

Two leading European quantum computing companies are pursuing United States stock-market listings, raising concerns about Europe’s ability to retain investment and expertise in emerging technologies.

According to ZeroHedge, Finnish quantum computing company IQM merged with Real Asset Acquisition Corp. in a deal that valued the business at about $1.8 billion and paved the way for a Nasdaq listing.

France-based Pasqal is following a similar route after announcing a business combination with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. II, valuing the neutral-atom quantum computing company at approximately $2 billion.

Pasqal, founded in 2019, develops quantum computers using neutral atoms manipulated with lasers. Its technology has applications spanning energy, banking, logistics, materials simulation and risk analysis.

The report argued that the transactions reflect a broader movement of European technology capital toward America, linking the trend to energy costs and regulation.

Quantum computing uses qubits rather than conventional binary bits and could significantly advance pharmaceuticals, materials research, cryptography and complex optimisation applications worldwide.