Quantum computing stocks are ripping higher at midday Monday, powered by two real deal catalysts and a firm broader tape. D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:QBTS) shares lead the group, up 11% to $20.08 on a new Nasdaq Verafin collaboration, while IonQ (NYSE:IONQ | IONQ Price Prediction) stock jumped 9% to $39.62 after closing its SkyWater Technology buyout. The broader tape is helping. The NASDAQ 100 is up 1.52% as investors digest easing Middle East tension after President Trump called off strikes on Iran. That risk-on backdrop is amplifying the sector’s deal-driven bid. D-Wave Leads on Nasdaq Verafin Deal D-Wave and Nasdaq Verafin, the exchange operator’s financial-crime-technology unit, announced an agreement to develop quantum-hybrid applications targeting fraud, scams and money laundering using D-Wave’s annealing quantum technology. The engagement begins as a proof-of-concept with the potential to expand to pilot applications, so this is early-stage collaboration rather than a signed revenue contract. D-Wave Quantum CEO Alan Baratz called it an opportunity to explore quantum computing’s potential for the financial sector. D-Wave stock had been under pressure heading in, down 31% year to date (YTD) through Friday’s close, so today’s 11% intraday pop is a meaningful rebound for holders. IonQ Closes SkyWater Acquisition IonQ closed its approximately $1.8 billion acquisition of SkyWater Technology after U.S. Federal Trade Commission clearance. Under the terms, SkyWater shareholders receive $15 in cash plus 0.4883 IonQ shares per share, and SkyWater becomes a subsidiary with CEO Thomas Sonderman reporting to IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi. The pitch is vertical integration. IonQ is framing the deal as building a vertically integrated U.S. quantum supply chain and accelerating fault-tolerant quantum development. IonQ stock carries a trailing 12-months (TTM) P/E ratio of 101.45x, so the multiple leaves little room for execution slippage even as retail enthusiasm runs hot on r/wallstreetbets, where sentiment scores