FCA publishes research note on quantum computing applications in financial services
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a research note exploring potential applications of quantum computing in UK financial services and assessing how firms and regulators can prepare for their emergence. The research identifies quantum computing as presenting a national growth opportunity, with leading firms already building quantum readiness strategies across three problem domains: optimisation, machine learning, and stochastic modelling. The research note states that new regulations are unlikely to be required in the near term, as potential quantum applications might intersect with established regulatory themes of explainability, fairness, and operational resilience already central to regulatory frameworks. The research goes on to say that a new Applications Regulatory Readiness Framework could support effective regulatory engagement and suggests existing mechanisms such as sandboxes could be expanded to provide safe spaces for quantum experimentation.