HSBC, in collaboration with IBM, has made a historic breakthrough in the financial sector by successfully applying quantum computing for algorithmic trading of corporate bonds for the first time. As a result of the experiment, the accuracy of execution prediction increased by 34% compared to traditional methods, made possible by the combination of quantum and classical computing resources.
This is reported by Business • Media
Application of Quantum Technologies in Financial Operations
Algorithmic trading in the corporate segment is based on complex statistical models and market data analysis, which allow for determining the probability of executing a trade at a specific price. According to HSBC’s statement, quantum computers have demonstrated the ability to more effectively identify hidden price signals in the “noisy” market data, as confirmed by tests on real production data from the European corporate bond market.
“This is a global breakthrough in bond trading. We have the first tangible example of how modern quantum computers can solve large-scale business challenges and provide competitive advantages,” emphasized Philip Intallura, head of quantum technology at HSBC.
Challenges and Risks for the Crypto Market
Despite the evident progress, the development of quantum technologies raises concerns regarding the security of cryptocurrencies. In February 2025, Tether’s CEO Paolo Ardoino expressed the opinion that quantum computing could potentially assist in restoring access to inactive Bitcoin wallets and returning lost coins to circulation. At the same time, active users will be able to protect their assets by transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptography.
In April, the research company Project Eleven announced a competition with a prize of 1 BTC for breaking ECC keys using Shor’s algorithm, while BlackRock emphasized that the rapid development of quantum computing could pose security risks not only to Bitcoin but to the entire digital asset market. In response to these threats, the government of El Salvador transferred approximately 6,300 BTC to new addresses in August to minimize the likelihood of quantum attacks.
Additionally, IBM unveiled a roadmap in June for creating the first fault-tolerant quantum computer, Quantum Starling, which will be capable of performing 100 million quantum operations. Its launch is scheduled for 2029, but experts do not have a consensus on the impact of this technology on the cryptocurrency market.