A robust R&D foundation is essential to accelerating the integration of quantum technologies in financial services. Policy-makers should support sustained investment in research while cultivating multidisciplinary collaboration to address the sector’s technological and operational challenges. Despite attracting growing interest, the integration of quantum technologies into financial services remains a complex undertaking, with many industry leaders awaiting clear regulatory guidance on associated risks, standards and governance frameworks. Regulators must stay updated on quantum advancements and create adaptive frameworks that balance innovation, security and customer protection. Collaborative initiatives such as the World Economic Forum’s Quantum Economy Network and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Emerging Technology Research Hub are helping to shape cross-industry standards and best practices for quantum governance and security. The white paper Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches recommends a four-phase roadmap – prepare, clarify, guide, and transition and monitor – to transition to a quantum-secure financial sector. This roadmap promotes a collaborative, harmonized and globally informed approach to addressing the security challenges posed by the quantum transition. Regulators are also encouraging financial institutions and supervisory authorities to assess quantum-related risks and begin developing mitigation strategies. Regulatory sandboxes offer a practical approach to the integration of quantum in financial services. By providing a controlled environment for experimentation, they enable firms to test quantum technologies with regulatory support, reducing compliance friction. These sandboxes also help regulators refine their frameworks in response to new developments while giving start-ups the opportunity to innovate and compete with established players. Showcasing growing commitment, in April 2025, the UK government announced a £121 million investment in quantum technology to tackle crime, fraud and money laundering by supporting research hubs and funding pilot projects. Spotting the first signs of fraud and halting money laundering could save billions for the UK economy.32 Establishing resilient infrastructure is critical to supporting the growth of quantum technologies in financial services. Governments should cultivate an enabling environment that attracts investment in quantum data centres, secure communication networks and advanced national laboratories. To bolster quantum security infrastructure, both public- and private-sector leaders should support quantum research initiatives. As quantum and other emerging technologies are integrated into essential services in the financial sector, they must meet the rigorous standards already applied to existing systems. Furthermore, embedding robust security measures into the design phase of quantum systems is crucial to addressing vulnerabilities (especially threats to current encryption methods). Over time, as risks become more well-understood, new standards may need to be introduced. Harmonizing cybersecurity practices is vital to streamlining compliance, improving interoperability across sectors and ensuring the effective implementation of these technologies. Additionally, regulators must work towards building regulatory clarity and creating interoperable frameworks for quantum security, facilitating a cohesive transition to a quantum-safe system.5.1 R&D 5.2 Infrastructure enablement Regulatory sandboxes offer a practical approach to the integration of quantum in financial services. Quantum Technologies: Key Strategies and Opportunities for Financial Services Leaders 19

Quantum Technologies Key Strategies and Opportunities for Financial Services Leaders 2025