BTQ Technologies Acquires Post-Quantum Cryptography IP Through Strategic Investment in Keypair, Accelerating Co-Development of Hardware-Rooted Security for Korea's Critical Infrastructure

Rhea-AI Summary

BTQ Technologies (Nasdaq: BTQ) announced a strategic investment in Keypair on December 18, 2025 to co-own Keypair's existing and future post-quantum cryptography (PQC) intellectual property and jointly develop hardware-rooted, post-quantum-ready security for infrastructure-grade systems.

The collaboration links BTQ's quantum-safe roadmap with Keypair's at-scale secure-element deployments across Korean critical infrastructure (including LIG Nex1, Hanwha Systems, and KEPCO) and integrates with BTQ partners Finger, Danal, and QUINSA to accelerate commercial rollouts in payments, identity, and regulated institutional systems.

Positive

• Co-ownership of existing and future PQC intellectual property
• Joint development of hardware-rooted, post-quantum security technologies
• Access to Keypair's at-scale deployments including millions of secure-element chips for KEPCO
• Expanded commercial pathway in Korea via integration with Finger, Danal, and QUINSA

Negative

• Financial terms of the strategic investment were not disclosed

Market Reality Check

$5.86 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,801,486 is slightly below the 20‑day average of 3,008,488 (relative volume 0.93). normal

Technical Price $6.36 is trading below the 200‑day MA $7.79 and 60.25% below the 52‑week high.

Peers on Argus

No peers or sector constituents were flagged in the momentum scanner, and no same‑day peer headlines are available, suggesting the move was stock‑specific.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 15	ETF inclusion	Positive	+7.5%	Added to Defiance Quantum ETF to broaden institutional and retail visibility.
Dec 03	Research coverage	Positive	+8.8%	Delphi Digital research highlighted Bitcoin Quantum as a quantum‑safe Bitcoin network.
Nov 24	Index inclusion	Positive	+13.4%	Added to MSCI Canada Small Cap Index, increasing visibility to institutional investors.
Nov 18	Product launch	Positive	+24.8%	Launched GPU‑accelerated QLEO emulator compatible with NVIDIA CUDA‑Q and cuQuantum.
Nov 17	Corporate update	Positive	+7.9%	Corporate update on QSSN, QCIM hardware, and QPerfect integration and commercialization.

Pattern Detected

Recent news and index/ETF milestones have consistently coincided with positive 24‑hour price reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, BTQ reported several strategic milestones, including inclusion in the Defiance Quantum ETF on Dec 15, 2025 and the MSCI Canada Small Cap Index effective Nov 25, 2025, each followed by positive price reactions of 7.46% and 13.45%. Launch of GPU‑accelerated QLEO on Nov 18, 2025 and a broader corporate update on Nov 17, 2025 also saw double‑digit and high‑single‑digit gains. An earlier acquisition‑related QPerfect announcement on Nov 11, 2025 produced a 2.45% move, framing today’s investment and IP co‑ownership as part of an ongoing expansion strategy.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement centers on BTQ’s strategic investment in Keypair and co‑ownership of post‑quantum cryptography IP to support hardware‑rooted security for critical infrastructure. It builds on prior growth milestones, such as ETF and index inclusions and earlier acquisition activity in QPerfect. Investors may focus on how effectively BTQ converts this collaboration into deployments across defense, energy, and financial services, and how it complements BTQ’s broader quantum‑safe security roadmap and ecosystem relationships.

Key Terms

post-quantum cryptography technical

"BTQ will co-own Keypair's existing and future post-quantum cryptography related intellectual property"

Post-quantum cryptography is a set of new methods for scrambling data so it stays secure even if powerful quantum computers exist; think of replacing today’s locks with designs that a future high‑speed lockpicker cannot open. For investors, it matters because companies must upgrade systems, meet regulations, and protect customer and trade data—creating costs, competitive advantages, or legal and reputational risks depending on how quickly and effectively they adopt these new security standards.

hardware-rooted security technical

"develop next-generation, post-quantum-ready, hardware-rooted security technologies built for infrastructure-grade"

A hardware-rooted security is a built-in, tamper-resistant chip or module inside a device that creates the device’s foundational trust — it securely stores cryptographic keys, checks that software hasn’t been altered, and performs critical protections in a way software alone can’t. For investors, this matters because hardware-backed protections reduce the chance of costly breaches, help meet regulatory requirements, and can boost product reliability and customer trust, all of which affect revenue, costs, and company risk.

post-quantum-ready technical

"develop next-generation, post-quantum-ready, hardware-rooted security technologies"

Post-quantum-ready describes software, hardware, or systems that use updated encryption designed to resist decryption by advanced quantum computers. It matters to investors because companies that are post-quantum-ready are taking steps to protect sensitive data, customer trust, and regulatory compliance ahead of a technological shift—similar to replacing old locks before someone invents a master key—and may avoid costly retrofits, breaches, or legal exposure later.

critical infrastructure technical

"next-generation hardware security for critical infrastructure and institutional platforms"

Critical infrastructure are the essential systems and facilities—such as power grids, water supply, telecommunications, transportation networks, financial systems and healthcare services—that society and the economy rely on to function. For investors, these assets matter because damage, outages or regulation affecting them can abruptly disrupt business operations, revenue and market value; conversely, their stable, mission-critical nature often attracts steady demand, government support or long-term contracts, reducing risk much like a solid foundation supports a house.

secure-element-based technical

"supplied millions of secure-element-based security chips supporting KEPCO's nationwide"

A secure-element-based product or system stores sensitive digital information—like payment credentials, identity data, or encryption keys—inside a dedicated, tamper-resistant chip or module rather than in ordinary memory. For investors, this matters because using a hardened “vault” inside a device reduces the risk of hacks, helps meet regulatory or payment-network rules, and can increase customer trust and adoption, which may affect sales, liability, and valuation.

quantum-safe security technical

"supports integration of BTQ's quantum-safe security roadmap into enterprise and government deployments"

Quantum-safe security means using methods to protect digital information that are designed to remain secure even if powerful quantum computers become available. Think of it as replacing old locks with hardened ones that a future locksmith with a super-tool cannot pick; for investors, it matters because companies that fail to upgrade risk data theft, regulatory fines, lost customer trust and costly system overhauls, all of which can hurt value.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Strategic Investment in Keypair: BTQ Technologies announced a strategic investment in Keypair, a Korean full-stack security company with long-term deployments across defense, energy, and financial services, including mission-critical national infrastructure customers.
  
  
• PQC IP Co-Ownership and Co-Development: BTQ will co-own Keypair's existing and future post-quantum cryptography related intellectual property and jointly develop next-generation, post-quantum-ready, hardware-rooted security technologies built for infrastructure-grade, long service lifecycle systems.
  
  
• Commercial Integration and Partner Ecosystem: The collaboration expands BTQ's commercial reach with a proven, at-scale deployment partner and supports integration of BTQ's quantum-safe security roadmap into enterprise and government deployments alongside BTQ's broader ecosystem, including Finger, Danal, and QUINSA.

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - BTQ Technologies Corp. ("BTQ" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: BTQ) (CBOE CA: BTQ) (FSE: NG3), a global quantum technology company focused on securing mission-critical networks, today announced a strategic investment in Keypair, a leading Korean full-stack security company trusted by major institutions across defense, energy, and financial services.

Under the terms of the investment and related collaboration, BTQ will co-own Keypair's existing and future post-quantum cryptography (PQC) related intellectual property and the companies will jointly develop next-generation hardware-based security technologies that are post-quantum-ready and infrastructure-grade.

Keypair's security technologies are deployed across Korea's most critical national infrastructure, including systems supporting LIG Nex1, Hanwha Systems, and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), where Keypair has supplied millions of secure-element-based security chips supporting KEPCO's nationwide Advanced Metering Infrastructure program.

"Post-quantum security is moving from theory to deployment, and the winners will be the companies that can deliver certified, hardware-rooted security at national scale," said Olivier Roussy Newton, Chief Executive Officer of BTQ Technologies. "Keypair has built deep trust inside Korea's most demanding environments. This strategic investment strengthens BTQ's position as a long-term leader in post-quantum, infrastructure-grade security and accelerates our ability to support mission-critical systems as global standards and regulations evolve."

"Keypair has always focused on commercial, long-lived security systems that operate in the real world, not just pilots," said Dr. Jung-Youp Lee, Co-Founder, Co-CEO and CTO of Keypair. "Partnering with BTQ advances our post-quantum roadmap and expands the scope of what we can deliver in next-generation hardware security for critical infrastructure and institutional platforms."

Strategic significance for BTQ

1. Secures strategic post-quantum cryptography intellectual property and accelerates co-development across hardware-based security technologies designed for quantum-era threats.
   
   
2. Expands BTQ's footprint in Korea through a partner with proven, long-term deployments across national infrastructure, defense supply chains, and institutional environments.
   
   
3. Strengthens BTQ's infrastructure-first positioning by aligning with systems that are already deployed at scale and built for long service lifecycles.

This strategic investment further strengthens BTQ's commercial pathway in Korea by enabling tighter integration of BTQ's post-quantum cryptography and hardware-rooted security capabilities into enterprise and government deployments pursued through BTQ's relationships with Finger and Danal, and its broader engagement through QUINSA. By pairing Keypair's proven, at-scale secure element and critical infrastructure footprint with BTQ's quantum-safe security roadmap, BTQ is positioned to accelerate real-world implementations across payments, identity, and regulated institutional systems, while supporting standardized, interoperable post-quantum security architectures that can be rolled out across partner ecosystems.

About Keypair
Keypair is a Korean full-stack security company delivering system-level security architectures that integrate hardware, firmware, cryptographic chips, servers, and issuance platforms, with long-term deployments across finance, national energy systems, defense, aerospace, and blockchain infrastructure. For more information please visit https://www.keypair.co.kr/

About BTQ
BTQ Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: BTQ | Cboe CA: BTQ | FSE: NG3 ) is a vertically integrated quantum company accelerating the transition from classical networks to the quantum internet. Backed by a broad patent portfolio, BTQ pioneered the industry's first commercially significant quantum advantage and now delivers a full-stack, neutral-atom quantum computing platform with end-to-end hardware, middleware, and post-quantum security solutions for finance, telecommunications, logistics, life sciences, and defense.

Connect with BTQ: Website | LinkedIn | X/Twitter

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Olivier Roussy Newton
CEO, Chairman 

Neither Cboe Canada nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements herein contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the business plans of the Company, including with respect to its research partnerships, and anticipated markets in which the Company may be listing its common shares. Forward-looking statements or information often can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan" or "may" and the variations of these words are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information.

The Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the development of post-quantum algorithms and quantum vulnerabilities, and the quantum computing industry generally. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied, by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include risks relating to: the availability of financing for the Company; business and economic conditions in the post-quantum and encryption computing industries generally; the speculative nature of the Company's research and development programs; the supply and demand for labour and technological post-quantum and encryption technology; unanticipated events related to regulatory and licensing matters and environmental matters; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting blockchains); risks related to the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, its impact on general economic conditions, the ability to obtain financing as required, and causing potential delays to research and development activities; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

 

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SOURCE BTQ Technologies Corp.

FAQ

What did BTQ (BTQ) announce on December 18, 2025 regarding Keypair?

BTQ announced a strategic investment in Keypair to co-own PQC intellectual property and co-develop hardware-rooted post-quantum security.

How does the Keypair deal expand BTQ's presence in Korea (BTQ)?

The partnership gives BTQ integration with Keypair's long-term deployments across defense, energy, and institutional systems in Korea.

What deployments does Keypair already have that benefit BTQ (BTQ)?

Keypair supplies secure-element security chips at scale, including millions of chips supporting KEPCO's nationwide metering program.

Will BTQ's post-quantum solutions be integrated with existing partners after the Keypair investment?

Yes; the collaboration supports tighter integration of BTQ's quantum-safe roadmap into deployments pursued with Finger, Danal, and QUINSA.

Does the announcement specify financial terms or equity impact for BTQ shareholders (BTQ)?

No; the press release does not disclose the financial terms or equity details of the investment.

What commercial areas does BTQ expect to accelerate with Keypair's technology (BTQ)?

BTQ expects to accelerate implementations across payments, identity, and regulated institutional systems using post-quantum, hardware-rooted security.