Investing in Quantum Computing: IonQ’s Path to Potential Wealth

Visualization can be powerful. Imagine 268 acres, roughly equal to 200 football fields, filled with one-foot-by-one-foot squares. Out of all these squares, only one is red while the others are blue. If you were blindfolded and tasked with picking the red square, your odds would be one in 11,688,053. Curiously, that’s the same chance of winning $1 million in the Powerball lottery.

Yet, there may be a more reliable route to wealth. By investing in the right stocks and maintaining those investments, you could significantly enhance your chances of amassing a $1 million fortune.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team has identified the 10 best stocks currently available. Continue »

IonQ: A Leading Player in Quantum Computing

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) is a notable contender for investors seeking high-potential returns. As a leader in quantum computing, IonQ offers a unique opportunity for those aiming for substantial financial gain.

Strong Initial Performance

Investors who bought IonQ shares at its initial public offering (IPO) in October 2021 are likely to be pleased. A $10,000 investment at that time would be worth over $38,400 today. This represents an impressive 284% gain in under four years, translating to a compound annual growth rate of around 40%. If IonQ can maintain this momentum, it could turn that initial investment into $1 million within 14 years.

IonQ’s remarkable growth stems from its early leadership in the commercialization of quantum computers. The company partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure in 2019 to develop quantum solutions for their platforms, unveiling the world’s most powerful quantum computer shortly thereafter.

Expanding Market Potential in Quantum Computing

IonQ stands out by offering quantum hardware across all three major cloud providers: AWS, Azure, and Alphabet‘s Google Cloud. The technology supports every major quantum programming language and software development kit.

Despite these advancements, quantum computing is still in its early stages. This presents promising prospects for investors eyeing a future with immense financial rewards. According to McKinsey, the total addressable market for quantum computing could reach $87 billion by 2035. Meanwhile, a report from Boston Consulting Group estimates the technology could generate as much as $880 billion in economic value by 2040, revolutionizing fields such as cryptography, drug discovery, financial modeling, and materials science.

Particularly promising is quantum computing’s potential in artificial intelligence (AI). Quantum computers, due to their rapid processing abilities, could significantly enhance AI’s speed and efficiency in data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision-making. They could even facilitate the progress toward artificial general intelligence (AGI).

IonQ’s Competitive Advantage

IonQ’s extensive intellectual property portfolio positions it favorably within the industry. The company’s architecture offers several advantages, notably lower error correction rates compared to competitors.

Will IonQ Create Millionaires?

Could IonQ be your opportunity to reach $1 million? Possibly, but caution is warranted. Although the potential for quantum computing is vast, McKinsey predicts that the technology required for complex problem processing may not be mature until 2035 or later.

Even if technological advancements arrive sooner, IonQ faces competition from other firms, including major tech players like Alphabet and Microsoft. Additionally, the possibility exists that IonQ could be acquired by a larger company before it delivers substantial returns to early investors.

Nevertheless, the future of quantum computing is likely to be significantly larger than its current market size, and IonQ could maintain a leadership position within the industry. If that happens, this stock could indeed become a vehicle for wealth over time.

Should You Invest $1,000 in IonQ Now?

If you’re considering an investment in IonQ, keep this in mind:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team has identified the 10 best stocks for current investments, and IonQ is not on the list. The selected stocks are believed to offer substantial returns in the coming years.

For context, consider Netflix, which made this list on December 17, 2004. A $1,000 investment at that time would have grown to $644,254! Similarly, Nvidia, included on April 15, 2005, would have turned a $1,000 investment into $807,814!

Notably, Stock Advisor boasts an average return of 962%, a striking difference compared to the S&P 500’s 169%. This might be an opportunity to consider.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Keith Speights has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.