The Nvidia GTC conference just wrapped up, and as expected, CEO Jensen Huang’s comments sent shockwaves through the AI and quantum computing sectors. Traders hoping for a bullish push on quantum computing stocks got the opposite—Huang cast more doubt on the space, triggering another sell-off.
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Quantum stocks got crushed. D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) dropped 21%, Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) fell 14%, Rigetti Computing (RGTI) lost 11%, and IONQ (IONQ) sank 9%. Huang’s offhand remark—“I didn’t know they were public. How can a quantum company be public?”—was all it took to spook traders.
It wasn’t just his surprise at their existence. Back in January, he already warned that “very useful” quantum computers are likely decades away. Now, at GTC, he reinforced that skepticism, causing another wave of selling.
Still, quantum stocks have been some of the most explosive movers in the past. The question is: was this just another shakeout, or has sentiment shifted for good?
Here’s an updated watchlist focusing on three key AI and quantum stocks that got hit after GTC but could still present opportunities.
- Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT) – The Quantum Stock Traders Love to Hate
- Rigetti Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI) – The Quantum Leader With a Big Partnership
- Firefly Neuroscience Inc. (NASDAQ: AIFF) – The Nvidia-Backed AI Biotech Play
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Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT) – The Quantum Stock Traders Love to Hate
QUBT has been a battlefield stock all year. It ran 1,800%* in late 2024 during the quantum hype cycle but has been in free fall ever since.
It didn’t help that several short reports targeted QUBT, with good cause.
It had been surging off sector-wide optimism and technical price strength. After GTC, it lost another 14% in a single day.
That said, stocks like this thrive on hype cycles. Quantum computing isn’t dead, and big tech is still investing in this space. If we see another wave of optimism, QUBT could easily bounce.
Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) – The Quantum Leader With a Big Partnership
RGTI got hit hard after Huang’s latest comments, falling 11% in a single session. But the stock has a strong catalyst—its new partnership with Taiwan-based Quanta Computer, a $43 billion hardware manufacturing giant.
Check out the latest RGTI news here!
Quanta is investing $35 million in Rigetti, with $500 million dedicated to an overall quantum development pipeline. RGTI is on track to roll out a 36-qubit system this quarter, with a 108-qubit system expected by year-end. That’s real progress—something most quantum stocks can’t claim.
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Firefly Neuroscience (NASDAQ: AIFF) – The Nvidia-Backed AI Biotech Play
Unlike QUBT and RGTI, AIFF didn’t take as much damage after GTC. It’s still well off its February highs, but the Nvidia connection kept it more stable.
AIFF shot up nearly 450%* last month after getting accepted into Nvidia’s Connect program. While it’s cooled off since, Nvidia-backed AI projects remain hot, and this stock still has a low float that could fuel another run.
Any pullback here is self-inflicted. After its big Nvidia-partnership spike, it promptly diluted, as biotech penny stocks are wont to do.
Final Thoughts
Nvidia’s GTC conference is the most important event for AI and quantum computing stocks. Traders are watching every word from Jensen Huang, and any shift in sentiment could send stocks like QUBT, RGTI, and AIFF moving fast.
This is a market tailor-made for traders who are prepared. AI penny stocks thrive on volatility, but it’s up to you to capitalize on it. Stick to your plan, manage your risk, and don’t let FOMO drive your decisions.
These opportunities are fast and unpredictable, but with the right strategy, you can make them work for you.
Watch for the right setups, and don’t chase blindly—these stocks are volatile for a reason.
If you want to know what I’m looking for—check out my free webinar here!