IonQ CEO Sees Nvidia-Like Future for Quantum Computing Pioneer

Quantum computing firm IonQ is aiming to replicate the meteoric rise of semiconductor giant Nvidia, according to CEO Niccolo de Masi, who spoke to Barron’s Daily in a report.

Though still unprofitable, IonQ stock has soared 450% over the past year. I Photo: IonQ

De Masi said he envisions IonQ as the Nvidia of the quantum era, referring to the company’s mission of taking trapped-ion quantum computing from lab to market. Founded by Duke University professors Christopher Monroe and Jungsang Kim, IonQ was among the first pure-play quantum companies to go public.

Though still unprofitable, IonQ stock has soared 450% over the past year, despite a 10% rise year-to-date in 2025.

It faced turbulence in March when Kerrisdale Capital issued a short report alleging that IonQ overstated achievements and released error-prone products. De Masi called the claims “baseless.”

IonQ’s ambitions remain high, even as critics caution that quantum computing remains speculative and sentiment-driven.