Shares of D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS) soared 22.13% in intraday trading on Thursday, following reports that the Trump administration is considering taking equity stakes in several quantum computing companies, including D-Wave.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Commerce Department is in talks with D-Wave and other quantum computing firms to potentially become a shareholder in exchange for federal funding. The discussions reportedly involve minimum funding awards of $10 million each, signaling a significant expansion of government intervention in what it considers a critical emerging technology sector.

The potential deal, if realized, would mark one of the first substantial signs of Washington's support for the quantum computing industry. Quantum computers are viewed as a critical next-generation technology due to their ability to perform complex calculations exponentially faster than traditional computers. This capability could revolutionize various fields, including drug discovery, materials science, and cryptography.

While the talks are still ongoing and no deals have been finalized, the news has sparked investor enthusiasm for quantum computing stocks. Other companies in the sector, such as IonQ and Rigetti Computing, also saw significant gains in Thursday's trading session. The surge in D-Wave's stock price reflects growing investor optimism about the potential for government backing in this frontier technology area.