BTQ Technologies Corp. and ICTK Co. , Ltd. have signed a $15 million development and joint investment agreement to co-develop Quantum Compute in Memory (QCIM), a next-generation quantum-secure secure-element chip. This partnership directly supports Korea’s Quantum Defense Strategy and accelerates the commercialization of a critical technology for safeguarding Defense, Critical Infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Payments, Mobile Authentication, AI, and Digital Assets. The collaboration will integrate BTQ’s post-quantum cryptography (PQC) technology with ICTK’s secure element design and manufacturing capabilities, aiming to deliver a commercially deployable, quantum-resistant hardware platform.
Quantum Collaboration: BTQ and ICTK Develop Secure Chip
BTQ Technologies and ICTK recently signed a $15 million development and joint investment agreement to co-develop a Quantum Compute in Memory (QCIM) chip, according to a company announcement. This collaboration aims to create a quantum-secure secure element chip for a wide range of applications, including defense, critical infrastructure, and the Internet of Things. The agreement encompasses joint design efforts through certification, alongside a strategic equity investment by BTQ, with ICTK contributing in-kind cost sharing and preferential manufacturing capacity.
The QCIM chip will integrate BTQ’s CASH cryptographic acceleration and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) directly into the silicon layer, enabling adaptable cryptographic upgrades without disrupting existing customer workflows. This performance level positions the QCIM chip for use in demanding applications like secure payments, mobile authentication, and safeguarding digital assets.
Building on this, ICTK’s commitment as Korea’s leading secure-element vendor aligns its future roadmap with the QCIM development, providing crucial third-party validation, resourcing, and scalability potential. The partners will actively pursue mass production, rigorous testing, and engagement with standards organizations like ITU and ISO to expedite certification and deployment across telecommunications and financial networks. This initiative also complements Korea’s Quantum Defense Strategy, prioritizing the rapid implementation of quantum-secure technologies within critical national infrastructure and defense systems.
Next-Generation Security: Advancing Quantum-Resistant Hardware
The new Quantum Compute in Memory (QCIM) chip represents a significant leap forward in hardware-level security, designed to proactively address the evolving threat landscape posed by quantum computing. According to the company announcement, this chip integrates BTQ’s CASH cryptographic acceleration and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) directly into the silicon layer. This innovative approach allows for agile cryptographic upgrades without disrupting existing customer workflows, providing a future-proof security solution for critical infrastructure and sensitive data. The design prioritizes adaptability, ensuring systems can readily incorporate new PQC algorithms as they emerge and become standardized.
The QCIM chip is projected to deliver substantial performance gains over current secure hardware solutions. Importantly, the chip is engineered for energy efficiency, consuming less than 1 microjoule per operation. These specifications position QCIM as a powerful, yet resource-conscious, security element for a broad range of applications including defense systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, payment processing, and digital asset wallets. ICTK will provide in-kind cost sharing and preferential manufacturing capacity to support the chip’s production.
This development aligns with Korea’s broader Quantum Defense Strategy, emphasizing the rapid deployment of quantum-secure technologies across key national sectors. Recent cooperation between the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) demonstrates a growing demand for quantum-resistant hardware within defense applications. The partnership between BTQ and ICTK intends to move directly into global commercialization, leveraging ICTK’s established sales channels and industry network. Early customer engagements are already underway, with evaluations focused on integrating PQC-enabled secure chips into upcoming products and infrastructure deployments.
Partnership Accelerates Quantum Defense and Commercialization
This partnership between BTQ and ICTK is poised to rapidly advance the deployment of quantum-secure technology within critical sectors. According to the company announcement, the collaboration directly supports Korea’s Quantum Defense Strategy by fast-tracking the commercialization of a next-generation Quantum Compute in Memory (QCIM) chip. This strategic alignment will enable enhanced security for defense systems, critical infrastructure, and financial networks, addressing the growing need for protection against evolving cyber threats. The joint investment signifies a commitment to building a robust quantum ecosystem within Korea and beyond. BTQ’s CASH cryptographic acceleration and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) will be integrated directly into the silicon layer, enabling seamless crypto-agile upgrades without disrupting customer workflows. ICTK will provide in-kind cost sharing and preferential manufacturing capacity, ensuring efficient production and scalability of the QCIM chip.
Building on this, the companies are actively pursuing mass production, rigorous testing, and engagement with standards organizations like ITU and ISO to expedite certification and deployment. Early engagements are already underway with key customers evaluating PQC-enabled secure chips for integration into upcoming products and infrastructure. This proactive approach, combined with ICTK’s established industry network and sales channels, positions the partnership for rapid market penetration and broad adoption of quantum-secure solutions. The collaboration underscores a growing global demand for quantum defense technologies, fueled by increasing awareness of the vulnerabilities of current cryptographic systems.
This strategic partnership between BTQ and ICTK represents a significant step toward practical quantum-resistant security solutions. The implications extend beyond core quantum computing, offering enhanced protection for critical infrastructure, IoT devices, and digital asset wallets.
For industries increasingly reliant on secure transactions and data protection, this collaboration delivers a pathway to crypto-agile upgrades without disrupting existing workflows. ICTK’s commitment to scaling production and pursuing industry standards engagement, like those with ITU and ISO, suggests a focused path toward real-world deployment. This development could enable a new generation of secure hardware, bolstering defenses against evolving cyber threats and accelerating the commercialization of quantum-secure technologies.
