NEW YORK, June 23, 2026, 16:03 (EDT)
- BTQ (NASDAQ:BTQ) traded up $1.36 to $5.80, volume topping 13 million shares.
- Brandt Pasco is now the company’s U.S. strategic adviser for post-quantum cryptography and security.
- The action followed White House directives on quantum computing and federal agencies switching to quantum-safe encryption.
BTQ Technologies Corp surged over 30% in late Nasdaq trading Tuesday as the Vancouver quantum security firm brought on Brandt Pasco as U.S. strategic adviser. The move put BTQ at the center of a burst of quantum activity tied to Washington.
Shares last traded at $5.80, up $1.36 from the previous close. Volume topped 13 million. It’s a big swing for a company pitching itself at the intersection of quantum computing, cybersecurity, and digital-asset infrastructure.
Quantum computer push gets deadline. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed two executive orders to boost development of a powerful quantum computer and shift key government systems toward post-quantum cryptography, a type of encryption that can stand up to possible quantum attacks. Reuters said one order lays out a goal for key government systems to switch to post-quantum cryptography by 2030 or 2031.
BTQ said Pasco’s job will be building relationships with U.S. government agencies, groups focused on national security, research outfits and industry partners. In its June 23 SEC filing, Chief Executive Olivier Roussy Newton wrote, “Quantum is moving from a research priority to a national infrastructure priority.” Pasco said firms in this sector need “deep technical capabilities and credible execution.”
Post-quantum cryptography is showing up in procurement lists now. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology rolled out its first finished post-quantum encryption standards in 2024, saying the core standards are ready for use.
BTQ’s jump caught attention as broader indexes slipped. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 dropped Tuesday, with chip stocks falling and traders weighing concerns over debt-fueled AI investment, Reuters said.
Quantum stocks traded mixed. D-Wave Quantum gained about 2%. IonQ and Rigetti slipped slightly in late trading, so there was no broad move for the group.
BTQ says it builds neutral-atom quantum computers along with middleware and post-quantum security tools aimed at clients in finance, telecom, logistics, life sciences, and defense. Shares trade on Nasdaq and Cboe Canada with the symbol BTQ.
BTQ said June 18 it’s set up an at-the-market equity program for up to C$150 million, letting the company sell new shares as needed. The cash is for working capital and more balance-sheet flexibility. More stock hitting the market could pressure current holders if the rally gives management room to issue.
Execution is another concern. Policy support doesn’t guarantee contracts, and quantum-security spending could be slow to show up at agencies or big firms. For now, the stock is moving with the hype around the trend. The next big question is if that turns into real orders, deals, or sales.
