Quantum Sandbox Act: Why These 3 Quantum Stocks Could Be Ready to Explode

The U.S. Congress just handed the quantum computing industry a potential launchpad, and some publicly traded players could be gearing up for takeoff. The Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act, introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, isn’t just another piece of tech legislation; it’s a focused push to quickly move quantum technologies out of the lab and into real-world applications.

The bill proposes a government-backed cloud-based “sandbox,” where quantum and hybrid quantum-classical applications can be developed and tested for use in healthcare, defense, manufacturing, and more. That’s a big deal, especially since full-blown commercial quantum computing is still a few years away. This bill narrows the focus to near-term deployment, and for certain companies already racing toward commercialization, it could be just the tailwind they need. Let’s understand how three companies might benefit if this bill is enacted.

D-Wave Quantum  

D-Wave (QBTS) has long positioned itself as the “practical” quantum player, emphasizing real-world use cases like logistics optimization, climate modeling, and now wildfire management. In fact, the U.S. Army’s R&D team recently tapped D-Wave’s system for just that.

With the Sandbox bill aiming to validate quantum tools over a 24-month window, D-Wave’s hybrid solutions could hit the fast track, especially if government contracts and enterprise pilots come into play. Moreover, D-Wave’s CEO Alan Baratz has positively commented, saying, “This effort is key to demonstrating the real-world viability of quantum technologies. We strongly urge its enactment this Congress.” 

IonQ  

Regardless of the new suggested bill, IonQ (IONQ) has been busy with new acquisitions and collaborations to support its own growth story, and this new proposal could hit the nail on the head for IonQ, with the company’s fundamentals ideally aligning with the initiatives. The company has consistently touted its partnerships with cloud giants like AWS (AMZN) and Azure (MSFT). If the Sandbox infrastructure runs through those channels, as many expect, IonQ could be a key hardware provider under the hood.

Add to that the company’s aggressive roadmap for scaling qubit fidelity, and you’ve got a name that could be one government testbed away from turning a pilot into a pipeline.

Honeywell (via Quantinuum)

Quantinuum, Honeywell’s (HON) quantum subsidiary, might not be publicly traded on its own (yet), but its parent sure is. Quantinuum is arguably the most vertically integrated quantum company in the world, blending hardware and software under one roof.

Congressional leaders specifically mentioned Quantinuum as a model for near-term quantum impact. If the bill moves forward, expect Honeywell to leverage its Quantinuum stake to lock in government pilot programs and possibly generate buzz for a future spinout. Quantinuum’s CEO, Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, has also commented favorably on the proposal, saying, “This legislation is essential to ensure the continued leadership of the U.S. in this critical emerging technology,” adding that “the Act will help unlock solutions to some of today’s most complex challenges.”  For long-term investors, this could be a stealthy way to gain exposure to the most mature player in the quantum space, without the volatility of a pure-play.

Bottom Line:

This isn’t just a science experiment anymore. With bipartisan momentum and industry backing, the Quantum Sandbox bill could light a fire under names like D-Wave, IonQ, and Honeywell, giving them a runway to prove value, win contracts, and maybe even deliver something Wall Street loves: revenue.

Investors would do well to keep these tickers on their radar and watch the Hill because this might be one of the few tech bills everyone in D.C. can agree on.

Using Tipranks’ Comparison Tool, we’ve compared all three stocks to gain a broader and more coherent perspective on each stock and the quantum industry in general.