Shares of D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS) surged 15.81% in Thursday's trading session, riding a wave of optimism sparked by reports of potential US government investment in quantum computing firms. The dramatic rise comes amid news that the Trump administration is exploring taking equity stakes in several quantum computing companies, including D-Wave.

According to The Wall Street Journal, D-Wave Quantum is among several companies, including IonQ and Rigetti Computing, in discussions with the US Commerce Department about potential funding arrangements. These deals could involve the government becoming a shareholder in exchange for minimum funding awards of about $10 million per company. While no agreements have been finalized, the mere possibility of substantial government backing has electrified investor interest in the quantum computing sector.

The potential government investment is seen as a strategic move to bolster US leadership in quantum computing, a field with far-reaching implications for national security, drug discovery, and advanced problem-solving capabilities. This initiative aligns with the Trump administration's broader efforts to maintain technological superiority, following recent investments in other critical sectors such as semiconductors and rare earth materials. Quantum computing is viewed as a transformative technology, with the potential to revolutionize various industries by performing complex calculations exponentially faster than classical computers.