Amazon Buys Stake in Quantum Computing Firm IonQ

Investors should temper expectations despite the tech giant's investment

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Amazon has purchased a small stake in quantum computing company IonQ, according to a recent SEC filing. While this may seem like a positive sign, experts caution that investors should not get overly excited, as history has shown that companies at the forefront of game-changing technologies often face challenges in the early stages of commercialization and adoption.

Why it matters

Quantum computing represents a massive potential market, estimated at $450 billion to $850 billion globally by 2040. However, the technology is still in its early stages, and it may take years before businesses can effectively maximize profits from quantum computers. Additionally, large tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet are also developing their own quantum processing units, which could pose a threat to pure-play quantum computing firms like IonQ.

The details

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Amazon purchased 6,671 shares of IonQ, worth nearly $300,000. However, the company had previously sold off its entire 854,207-share stake in IonQ during the third quarter, likely locking in short-term gains. Experts suggest Amazon may have used the significant pullback in IonQ's share price during the fourth quarter to reenter the position, albeit to a much smaller degree.

  • In the third quarter of 2025, Amazon sold off its entire 854,207-share stake in IonQ.
  • In the fourth quarter of 2025, Amazon purchased 6,671 shares of IonQ, worth nearly $300,000.

The players

Amazon

An American multinational technology company that focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.

IonQ

A quantum computing company that is considered one of the hottest stocks in the industry, with its shares seeing massive gains in the past year.

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The takeaway

While Amazon's investment in IonQ may seem like a positive sign, investors should temper their expectations. History has shown that companies at the forefront of game-changing technologies often face challenges in the early stages of commercialization and adoption. Additionally, the presence of large tech giants developing their own quantum processing units could pose a threat to pure-play quantum computing firms like IonQ.