IonQ’s comprehensive platform integrates algorithms, architecture, and error correction, positioning it effectively to enhance global security as the timeline for Q-Day advances.
COLLEGE PARK, Md.— September 8, 2026 — IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leader in full-stack quantum computing solutions, has announced the release of its inaugural thorough assessment of the resources needed to execute Shor’s algorithm reliably. This groundbreaking publication from IonQ’s research team utilizes the newly introduced Walking Cat architecture to illustrate how to tailor applications for trapped-ion quantum computers. The findings suggest that a quantum system with 20,000 physical qubits from IonQ could crack secp256k1, the 256-bit elliptic curve integral to blockchain technologies like Bitcoin, in fewer than 26 days. This algorithm was chosen due to its prominence and scrutiny among current cryptographic standards.
The solution underscores IonQ’s robust full-stack capabilities. Researchers on the IonQ platform have successfully minimized the resources necessary to compromise secp256k1 by jointly optimizing the algorithm, compiler, hardware setup, and error-correcting component. Such advancements align with significant scientific and commercial applications, positioning IonQ’s near-term machines within practical quantum computing realms.
“In 2025, I pointed out that the timeline for Q-Day was moving significantly earlier—shifting from the 2030s to the 2020s. This perspective is now echoed by major corporations and the U.S. government, as evidenced by the White House’s executive order on quantum security released earlier this summer,” remarked Niccolo de Masi, Chairman & CEO of IonQ.
De Masi added, “Our landmark publication today thoroughly illustrates the capabilities fostered by IonQ’s exceptional full-stack model. We are well on our way to unveiling our completely fault-tolerant system with 10,000 physical qubits by 2027, along with substantial enhancements in our laboratories, manufacturing, and deployments throughout 2028. Our quantum platform encompasses software, post-quantum cryptography (PQC), and quantum key distribution hardware (QKD), giving us confidence that IonQ is uniquely equipped to fortify our nation and its allies against the expanding cyber risks brought on by quantum advancements.”
— Niccolo de Masi, Chairman & CEO, IonQ
“This research marks the first instance where a utility-scale quantum algorithm’s resource costs have been estimated comprehensively, without omitting significant components that affect a real machine’s runtime. We accounted for every operation, down to the genuine error-correction elements our architecture uses. This study validates—ahead of assumption—a minimum threshold on the probability of successful computation. Importantly, no active digital asset or cryptocurrency platform was impacted during IonQ’s research.”
— Chris Ballance, President of Quantum Computing, IonQ
“This thoroughness turns a mere resource estimate into a detailed engineering framework. The quantity of hardware resources needed for this computation aligns with the systems we are already developing. IonQ’s work today demonstrates that achieving fault-tolerant quantum computation is a complex engineering challenge that follows a transparent and accountable path, rather than a vague concept.”
— John Gamble, VP Architecture, IonQ
“The progress we’ve witnessed is not the result of a single breakthrough, but rather consistent advancements across all levels of technology. A computation that previously required millions of physical qubits can now be accomplishable on a 20,000-qubit IonQ machine as per our development roadmap. Our comprehensive implementation of Shor’s algorithm underpins all other applications our customers seek, be it in chemistry, finance, materials science, optimization, defense, or intelligence.”
— Martin Roetteler, VP Quantum Applications R&D, IonQ
A Wider Implication for Full-Stack Quantum Innovation
This research builds upon IonQ’s Walking Cat architecture, introduced in April 2026 as the first comprehensive blueprint for a fault-tolerant quantum computer. It features an enhanced version of this architecture tailored for tackling the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem (ECDLP) with trapped ions and quantum LDPC codes. IonQ argues that the implications of this work should first be viewed as a significant capability milestone, followed by its security aspects: a long-standing problem reconfigured through a detailed, multi-layered investigation. This comprehensive methodology, applicable to various algorithms, is what IonQ is leveraging across its extensive portfolio of quantum applications beyond cryptography.
- Estimated time to resolve the 256-bit ECDLP on secp256k1: 25.7 days
- Total physical qubits utilized: 19,397
- Logical qubits and Toffoli gates at logical level: 1,457 logical qubits and 39 million Toffoli gates
- This is the first complete estimate mapped directly to the underlying quantum error correction (QEC) protocols and circuitry.
- Establishes a rigorously provable minimum success probability for the algorithm, rather than relying on heuristic estimates.
- Results are in line with the scale of systems outlined in IonQ’s publicly shared hardware roadmap (expected around 2028).
“Our findings clearly illustrate the risks faced by systems secured with elliptic curves. Substitute algorithms need similar stress-testing, and IonQ is committed to continuing this work. Today’s results should primarily be seen as an advancement milestone, with security implications as secondary: a historically significant issue, meticulously restructured through a comprehensive study. This full-stack approach, not limited to one particular algorithm, is being utilized by IonQ across diverse quantum applications,” stated Jordan Shapiro, President of Quantum Platform, IonQ.
This architectural and resource estimation study aligns with IonQ’s previously disclosed roadmap, which anticipates relevant capabilities becoming available by 2028. The complete paper titled, Computing 256-bit elliptic curve discrete logarithms in 26 days on a fault-tolerant trapped-ion quantum computer with 20,000 qubits can be accessed HERE.
Implications for Security
Throughout this study, IonQ adhered to responsible disclosure protocols before publication. The company shared advance insights with U.S. governmental and industry stakeholders and facilitated discussions regarding the findings’ implications.
The cryptographic vulnerabilities highlighted relate more to authentication and integrity rather than confidentiality. Elliptic-curve signatures play a crucial role in code signing, certificate hierarchies, device identities, and enduring roots of trust. Unlike attacks on encrypted data, a breach of signatures can be exploited moving forward rather than retracing recorded actions.
The estimate builds on previously published research and doesn’t announce a new attack. IonQ’s logical-layer results are an advancement on related studies concerning optimized point-addition circuits and resource assessments for elliptic-curve cryptocurrencies. What makes this unique is the architecture-specific resource accounting: evaluating the costs of the same algorithm on a high-error-corrected trapped-ion system versus on surface code systems. Similar to recent comparable research, IonQ is providing resource estimates while withholding specific circuit details.
The mitigation techniques are standardized and currently available. Both Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (SLH-DSA) and ML-DSA are unaffected by these findings. The sequencing of signatures last in post-quantum migration planning is purposeful, given that roots of trust tend to be the most challenging components to replace, which renders early and precise estimates extremely valuable. A similar risk pattern will likely emerge across various curves and key sizes as the underlying mathematics evolves. The conclusion highlights the necessity for a layered defense strategy and continuous investment in cryptographic agility. IonQ’s comprehensive security roadmap is intended to prepare organizations for and adapt to the quantum security landscape challenges ahead.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is at the forefront of quantum computing, delivering integrated solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security domains. The latest model, IonQ Tempo, represents the state-of-the-art in quantum systems. Previous systems have enabled clients such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA to achieve a 20x performance boost compared to earlier quantum solutions, expediting innovation in areas such as drug discovery, materials science, finance, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved a groundbreaking 99.99% fidelity in two-qubit gates, marking a world record in quantum computing performance.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has a presence throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Our quantum computing services have been accessible via all major cloud platforms since 2021, and we also cater to networking and sensing customers across land, air, sea, and space. IonQ is committed to making quantum solutions more accessible and impactful than ever before. Discover more at IonQ.com.
Investor Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements. Every statement in this release, other than those based on historical data, is considered forward-looking, including comments on the resource assessment for executing Shor’s algorithm, the projected Q-Day timeline, IonQ’s initiatives in quantum computing and security, and the expected advantages of its Quantum Security framework. Such statements often incorporate anticipatory language like “expect,” “believe,” “project,” “should,” “could,” “will,” or similar terms. These remarks represent forecasts grounded in our expectations as of the date of this release and are vulnerable to varied risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that may not transpire, any of which could lead to actual outcomes differing from expressed or suggested statements. This includes factors detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2025 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2026, submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks may arise periodically, making it difficult for management to foresee all the potential impacts or to accurately gauge how different factors may lead to variances from forward-looking statements. Investors are advised not to place excessive reliance on these forward-looking remarks, which are only valid as of their respective dates. Except as mandated by law, we are not obligated to update any forward-looking statement due to new information, future events, or other reasons.
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