PQDigest — Quantum Tech News (January 4–5, 2026)

Across these two days, the “quantum story” split cleanly into two fronts: hardware progress (neutral atoms) and institutional hardening (post-quantum security + national funding/policy). If you’re building in the PQ security lane, this is the exact kind of signal you want: regulators and funders are moving from “someday” to “phased rollout, budgets, deadlines.”

January 4, 2026

1) Russia’s neutral-atom prototype: 72 qubits, reported 94% two-qubit operation accuracy

Reporting around Russia’s quantum program highlighted testing of a 72-qubit neutral-atom prototype associated with Moscow State University (MSU) and Rosatom. The architecture described is a three-zone model (compute / storage / readout), with this stage reportedly implementing at least compute + storage while targeting a scalable path. One specific figure that jumped out: ~94% accuracy for a two-qubit logical operation as an early baseline.

Why it matters: Neutral-atom platforms are attractive because they can scale via atom arrays (optical tweezers) rather than “wiring up” every qubit like some superconducting approaches. The trade is usually in fidelity + control complexity—so every public fidelity number becomes a narrative weapon in the global race.

2) “Quantum sovereignty” goes mainstream: industrial policy, not just lab demos

A broader analysis piece framed the current phase as nations shifting from research programs to industrial coordination and strategic sovereignty—basically: quantum is becoming “critical infrastructure logic.” It emphasizes how policy + supply chain realities (chips, packaging, photonics, cryo, talent) are now inseparable from scientific progress, and how alliances/bilateral partnerships increasingly shape who scales first.

Why it matters: This is the macro trend that turns PQC from “best practice” into procurement requirements and compliance language (the stuff that creates real budgets).

3) Jordan’s quantum-resistant push surfaces publicly (initial reporting)

Jordan’s official news flow also carried the announcement that its central bank launched a sectoral roadmap to transition financial institutions toward quantum-resistant cryptography—a clear sign this is becoming a regulator-led program rather than a voluntary “innovation project.”

January 5, 2026

1) Central Bank of Jordan publishes a phased roadmap for quantum-resistant encryption

On Jan 5, additional detail circulated about the Central Bank of Jordan’s roadmap: a phased transition that starts with cryptographic asset discovery, then elevates quantum risk into governance + risk registers, and pushes institutions to run pilot tests in controlled, non-operational (virtual) environments before full deployment. The messaging is explicitly about maintaining trust and resilience as computing capabilities evolve.

Why it matters (PQC angle):

They’re treating PQ transition like a multi-year migration program, not a patch.
The “inventory → risk register → pilots → rollout” structure is exactly how large orgs operationalize PQC (and how vendors get selected).

2) Denmark opens a major quantum funding call: minimum DKK 182.3M, applications open Jan 5

Innovation Fund Denmark opened applications for Grand Solutions 2026: Quantum Technologies, with:

Application window: 5 January 2026 – 3 March 2026
Total budget: minimum DKK 182.3 million
Per-project investment: DKK 5–40 million
Coverage across the value chain: quantum software, computing, simulators, communication, sensors/metrology
Note: the call text also indicates a raised max funding level (up to 90%) for this quantum call compared to typical caps.

Why it matters: This kind of call tends to accelerate the “boring but decisive” layer—tooling, integration, measurement, comms security, and industrial partnerships—aka the stuff that makes quantum real outside PowerPoint.

3) SEALSQ roadshow in India: PQ semiconductors, $100M quantum fund, and sovereign space ambitions

A GlobeNewswire release says SEALSQ (NASDAQ: LAES) will run a Jan 5–9, 2026 leadership roadshow across major Indian hubs (Mumbai, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore). The stated goals include:

accelerating a post-quantum semiconductor personalization center
advancing collaboration on post-quantum satellite initiatives with WISeSat.Space
and pursuing partnerships with Kaynes Semicon and Skyroot Aerospace.

They also mention a dedicated $100 million “Quantum Fund” aimed at investments spanning quantum computing, PQC, quantum AI, and secure semiconductor architectures, and they explicitly reference India’s National Quantum Mission plus local companies like QpiAI (noting a 25-qubit system and a 64-qubit chip in the release).

Why it matters: Whether or not every corporate claim pans out, the pattern is real: PQC is being sold as hardware + provisioning + sovereignty, not just algorithms. That’s a strong market tailwind for “anti-decrypt / harvest-now-decrypt-later” messaging done right.