Quantum computing company IonQ unveiled its sixth-generation quantum computer, the 256-qubit "Superion 256," and began taking orders. The company plans to deliver the system to customers in 2027.

Decrypto, a blockchain media outlet, reported on Sept. 9 that IonQ is moving in earnest to scale up production of quantum computers through Superion 256. IonQ is developing quantum computers while providing system access services via the cloud, and is also developing quantum networking, sensing and security technologies.

In the announcement, the company stressed a change in manufacturing rather than a simple increase in the number of qubits. IonQ said it designed the system to integrate electronic control functions inside the chip so it can produce more quantum computers at lower cost than before.

Niccolo de Masi (니콜로 데 마시), IonQ's chairman and CEO, said Superion is the result of combining two strategic acquisitions. He said the technology of Oxford Ionics enables control of naturally trapped-ion qubits with standard electronics, and that SkyWater secured a foundation for semiconductor-style manufacturing and scaled production.

IonQ said SkyWater, its chip manufacturing subsidiary, has completed production of its first 256-qubit processor. It also said work has proceeded at multiple facilities in the United States to trap the first ions in a prototype.

Results demonstrating the actual performance of a 256-qubit system have not yet been released. While it has been confirmed that the first processor and prototype were successfully produced, further verification is needed on how stably 256 qubits operate together in a completed system.

Quantum computer performance is difficult to evaluate solely by the number of qubits. As the number of qubits rises, the potential to perform complex calculations increases, but errors become more likely even from small external disturbances. To judge practical usability, it is necessary to consider not only the number of qubits but also error rates, stability and error-correction capability.

IonQ stressed that Superion 256 was designed as a platform with mass production in mind. De Masi said quantum computing, like classical computing, will also secure scalability on a semiconductor basis, adding that Superion 256 was designed not for one-off builds but for production in the hundreds of units.

It also improved production efficiency. SkyWater said it shortened the chip design cycle to 2 months from 9 months. Superion 256 was designed in a form that can be mounted in a standard server rack and can also be accessed through the IonQ cloud.

IonQ pre-sold its first system in early 2026, and plans to begin customer deliveries from 2027. It is also developing "Superion 10K" with the goal of demonstrating fault-tolerant computing in 2027, and is pursuing commercial production in 2028.

The announcement comes as debate continues over the impact quantum computers could have on bitcoin security. Concerns have been raised that if a sufficiently powerful quantum computer emerges, it could calculate private keys based on bitcoin public keys and steal encrypted assets.

But a 256-qubit quantum computer cannot immediately break bitcoin's 256-bit security. An actual attack would require using error-corrected qubits to perform stable calculations over a long period. That is why the number of physical qubits cannot be directly equated with the security level of bitcoin's cryptographic system.

Even so, the cryptocurrency industry has begun moving to prepare for quantum computers. Galaxy said in July it would provide up to $5 million to support research and development for bitcoin's quantum security. Support targets include developer grants, research and the formation of an advisory committee.

IonQ's unveiling of Superion 256 shows that the race to commercialise quantum computers is expanding beyond technology development into the mass production stage. At the same time, discussions are expected to intensify over how much quantum computing performance could affect cryptocurrency security in the future.