Quantum Technologies Key Strategies and Opportunities for Financial Services Leaders 2025

Early case studies (non-exhaustive) Quantum sensing Why it’s important Precision and sensitivity Quantum sensing provides unmatched precision and sensitivity in measurements, enabling advancements in areas such as HFT, environmental monitoring and infrastructure monitoring. Ongoing advancements By staying informed about quantum sensing advancements, financial services firms can ensure they are strategically prepared to integrate these technologies when they become more scalable and cost-effective. How to approach integration Strategic exploration Identify areas where quantum sensing may deliver value and draft a preliminary plan for responsible integration (to be refined as the measurable benefits become clearer). Ensuring preparedness Stay informed on advancements to drive innovation and adoption, and prepare to scale successful pilot projects once initiated.Quantum sensing harnesses advanced quantum technologies to achieve unparalleled precision in measurement and detection, offering advantages in various fields. Applications for the financial sector are currently limited. CASE STUDY 4 Ultra-precise timestamps for financial transactions Accurate timing is essential for financial transactions, especially in HFT, where thousands of trades occur in fractions of a second. Quantum optical atomic clocks, a groundbreaking innovation in quantum sensing, offer precision that’s a hundred times greater than conventional atomic clocks. This level of accuracy can help financial institutions better track and understand the sequence of trades, improving transparency and compliance with regulations. While existing atomic clocks already meet the EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) requirement of timestamps accurate to 100 microseconds, quantum optical atomic clocks could go beyond these standards, addressing future needs driven by higher trade volumes and tighter precision demands. Their unmatched accuracy might help pinpoint the exact sequence of transactions and their impact on market events. By providing ultra-precise timestamps, quantum optical atomic clocks can help financial institutions better understand the cascading effects of trades in real time. This enhanced precision is critical for analysing the impact of HFT on interconnected, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven financial markets and supporting compliance with future regulatory standards that may require even tighter timing accuracy as trading speeds and volumes continue to rise. As these advanced clocks transition from research labs to commercial use, they are likely to influence certain aspects of the financial industry. Beyond finance, these clocks are becoming vital in telecommunications. With the rapid growth of data driven by technologies like 5G, 6G and AI, precise timing is critical for synchronizing networks and minimizing errors. Quantum optical atomic clocks offer unmatched stability, ensuring seamless data transmission and reducing congestion across financial services and other industries.20 A major milestone in this field is the delivery of Tiqker, a commercial quantum optical atomic clock, to the University of Strathclyde in the UK. Tiqker is part of an effort to develop a distributed quantum timing infrastructure, enhancing resilience in critical systems and advancing timekeeping technologies.21 This innovation underscores the critical role of precise timing in driving technological advancements, cultivating economic growth and supporting a sustainable, interconnected global economy. L H L HMaturity level ScalabilityLevel of expertise requiredImplementation time and cost Risk levelIndicators Low to high – high is desirable Low to high – Low is desirableL H L H L H See the Appendices (A2) for other notable case studies.FIGURE 4 Quantum Technologies: Key Strategies and Opportunities for Financial Services Leaders 12