Quantum Computing Stocks IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum Sent Shockwaves Through Wall Street With This $857 Million Warning

Although artificial intelligence (AI) is the hottest trend and largest addressable opportunity since the advent and proliferation of the internet in the mid-1990s, it's not the only innovation stirring investor interest and leading to eye-popping returns on Wall Street. By one estimate, quantum computing can create up to $1 trillion in global economic value by 2035. This enormous addressable market has been the fuel behind the parabolic gains we've witnessed in pure-play quantum computing stocks IonQ (IONQ 7.62%), Rigetti Computing (RGTI 8.22%), and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS 8.81%). We've also observed this trio of quantum computing stocks rallying from U.S. government contract wins and/or funding. Image source: Getty Images. But things may not be as perfect as their skyrocketing share prices over the last two years would suggest. Arguably, the biggest red flag comes from the insiders who know IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave best. Insiders are telling a worrisome tale with their actions An insider is a high-ranking executive, board member, or beneficial owner of at least 10% of a company's outstanding shares who may possess non-public information. By law, insiders are required to file any transactions of their company's stock, including the exercising of option contracts, within two business days. These Form 4 filings are also made for the sake of investor transparency. Since quantum computing stocks really burst onto the scene two years ago, we've witnessed a decisive tilt in insider trading activity. Specifically, Form 4s show an abundance of net selling by insiders since June 18, 2024: IonQ: $454.1 million in net selling Rigetti Computing: $71.5 million in net selling D-Wave Quantum: $331.1 million in net selling Collectively, the most in-the-know individuals at the three hottest pure-play quantum computing companies have sold nearly $857 million of their stock over the trailing two years. ExpandNYSE: IONQIonQToday's Change(-7.62%) $-4.41Current Price$53.44Key Data PointsMarket Cap$20BDay's Range$52.36 - $57.2952wk Range$25.89 - $84.64Volume866.6KAvg Vol31.2MGross Margin-2879.52% There is, however, a caveat to the above data that should be taken into consideration. Most executives and board members receive a significant portion of their compensation in stock and options. Insider selling to cover federal and/or state tax liability isn't something that investors should be overly concerned about. But while there are several reasons for insiders to sell shares of their company, not all of which are inherently nefarious, there's only one reason for insiders to buy shares of their company's stock: the expectation that it'll rise. Looking back over the same trailing two-year timeline, insider buying has been virtually nonexistent. Though IonQ has had roughly $2.25 million in cumulative insider purchases, D-Wave Quantum's insider buying tallies just $1,795 over the last two years, while Rigetti doesn't have a single insider purchase. ExpandNASDAQ: RGTIRigetti ComputingToday's Change(-8.22%) $-1.75Current Price$19.53Key Data PointsMarket Cap$6.5BDay's Range$19.02 - $20.9652wk Range$10.80 - $58.15Volume247.4KAvg Vol41.3MGross Margin-5945.49% One possible reason insiders are keeping their distance is the otherworldly valuations of quantum computing stocks. Though these companies offer breakneck growth potential in the coming years, their price-to-sales ratios are firmly in bubble territory, based on what history tells us. Furthermore, game-changing technologies have a terrible early stage track record since the mid-1990s. Investors commonly overestimate how quickly innovations will be adopted and/or optimized by consumers and businesses. Quantum computing is still incredibly early in its adoption phase, and we're nowhere close to seeing businesses deploy quantum solutions to boost their sales and profits. If insiders aren't buying, why should everyday investors?Read NextJun 24, 2026 •By Will HealyShould Investors Choose IonQ Over a More Established Quantum Computing Stock?Jun 22, 2026 •By Keithen Drury3 Quantum Computing Stocks With More Upside Than SpaceXJun 19, 2026 •By Marc Guberti3 Tech Stocks to Buy Before Q-DayJun 19, 2026 •By Keithen DruryBetter Quantum Computing Stock to Buy: IonQ vs. RigettiJun 18, 2026 •By Robert IzquierdoXanadu Quantum vs. IonQ: The Better Quantum Computing Stock Buy for 2026Jun 17, 2026 •By Justin PopeBuy, Sell, or Hold: Where 5 of Wall Street's Hottest Stocks Stand Right NowAbout the AuthorSean Williams is a data-driven Motley Fool contributing analyst who's been investing for 27 years and has penned north of 16,000 articles. You'll find him at the intersection of politics and investing tackling macroeconomic topics of interest (Social Security and Donald Trump's economic/tax policies), analyzing which stocks billionaire investors (e.g., Warren Buffett) are buying and selling, and digging into how the world's most-influential businesses and trends -- everything from the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) to the next stock split -- are changing Wall Street. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, San Diego.TMFUltraLongX@AMCScamStocks MentionedIonQNYSE: IONQ$53.60(-7.35%)-$4.25Motley Fool Stock Advisor’s Latest PickGet Access---% Avg ReturnD-Wave QuantumNYSE: QBTS$22.83(-8.81%)-$2.21Rigetti ComputingNASDAQ: RGTI$19.53(-8.22%)-$1.75*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.