SEALSQ and the Seoul Metropolitan Government Sign MoU to Establish a Post-Quantum Semiconductor Personalization, Research and Design Center in Seoul
SEALSQ (NASDAQ: LAES) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to establish a Post-Quantum Semiconductor Personalization, Research and Design Center in Seoul. The state-of-the-art facility will focus on researching, designing, and embedding quantum-resistant cryptographic keys into semiconductor chips.
The initiative aligns with South Korea's dominant position in the global semiconductor market, controlling 17% of worldwide semiconductor market share. The government has allocated $136 million for quantum R&D in 2025. The global Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) market is projected to grow from $1.1 billion in 2024 to $4-9 billion by 2030-2033, with a CAGR of 37-45%.
The center will leverage RISC-V chip architectures with embedded post-quantum cryptography and integrate quantum-resistant encryption modules into satellite systems, positioning South Korea as a leader in both semiconductor and space innovation sectors.
SEALSQ (NASDAQ: LAES) ha firmato un Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) con il Governo Metropolitano di Seoul per istituire un Centro di Personalizzazione, Ricerca e Progettazione di Semiconduttori Post-Quantistici a Seoul. La struttura all'avanguardia avrà come focus la ricerca, la progettazione e l’integrazione di chiavi crittografiche resistenti ai quantum nei chip semiconduttori.
L’iniziativa è in linea con la posizione di dominio della Corea del Sud nel mercato globale dei semiconduttori, controllando il 17% della quota mondiale di mercato dei semiconduttori. Il governo ha assegnato $136 milioni per la R&S quantistica nel 2025. Si prevede che il mercato globale della Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) cresca da $1,1 miliardo nel 2024 a 4-9 miliardi entro il 2030-2033, con un CAGR del 37-45%.
Il centro sfrutterà architetture di chip RISC-V con crittografia post-quantistica integrata e integra moduli di crittografia resistente ai quantum nei sistemi satellitari, posizionando la Corea del Sud come leader sia nell’innovazione dei semiconduttori sia in quella spaziale.
SEALSQ (NASDAQ: LAES) ha firmado un Memorando de Entendimiento (MoU) con el Gobierno Metropolitano de Seúl para establecer un Centro de Personalización, Investigación y Diseño de Semiconductores Post-Cuanticos en Seúl. La instalación de vanguardia se centrará en investigar, diseñar e incrustar claves criptográficas resistentes a la física cuántica en chips semicondutores.
La iniciativa se alinea con la posición dominante de Corea del Sur en el mercado global de semiconductores, controlando el 17% de la cuota mundial de semiconductores. El gobierno ha asignado $136 millones para I+D cuántica en 2025. Se proyecta que el mercado global de Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) crezca de $1,1 mil millones en 2024 a 4-9 mil millones para 2030-2033, con un CAGR de 37-45%.
El centro aprovechará arquitecturas de chips RISC-V con criptografía post-cuántica integrada e incorporará módulos de cifrado resistentes a la cuántica en sistemas satelitales, posicionando a Corea del Sur como líder en innovación tanto de semiconductores como en el ámbito espacial.
SEALSQ (NASDAQ: LAES)가 서울특별시와 양해각서를 체결하여 서울에 포스트-양자 반도체 개인화, 연구 및 설계 센터를 설립합니다. 이 최첨단 시설은 반도체 칩에 양자 저항 암호키를 연구, 설계 및 임베드하는 데 초점을 맞출 예정입니다.
이 이니셔티브는 전 세계 반도체 시장에서의 한국의 주도적 위치와 일치하며, 전 세계 반도체 시장 점유율의 17%를 차지합니다. 정부는 2025년에 양자 연구개발에 $136백만을 할당했습니다. 글로벌 PQC(Post-Quantum Cryptography) 시장은 2024년의 $11억에서 2030-2033년까지 40-90억 달러로 성장할 것으로 보이며 CAGR은 37-45%입니다.
센터는 내장형 포스트-양자 암호를 갖춘 RISC-V 칩 아키텍처를 활용하고 위성 시스템에 양자 저항 암호 모듈을 통합하여 한국을 반도체 및 우주 혁신 분야의 선도국으로 위치시킬 것입니다.
SEALSQ (NASDAQ: LAES) a signé un protocole d’entente (MoU) avec le Gouvernement Métropolitain de Séoul pour établir un Centre de Personnalisation, Recherche et Conception de Semi-conducteurs Post-Quantiques à Séoul. L’installation ultramoderne se concentrera sur la recherche, la conception et l’intégration de clés cryptographiques résistantes à l’informatique quantique dans les puces semi-conductrices.
L’initiative s’inscrit dans la position dominante de la Corée du Sud sur le marché mondial des semi-conducteurs, détenant 17% de la part mondiale du marché des semi-conducteurs. Le gouvernement a alloué $136 millions pour la R&D quantique en 2025. Le marché mondial de la cryptographie post-quantique (PQC) devrait passer de $1,1 milliard en 2024 à 4-9 milliards d’ici 2030-2033, avec un taux de croissance annuel composé (CAGR) de 37-45%.
Le centre tirera parti des architectures de puces RISC-V avec cryptographie post-quantique intégrée et intégrera des modules de chiffrement résistants à la quantum dans les systèmes satellitaires, positionnant la Corée du Sud comme leader à la fois dans les secteurs des semi-conducteurs et de l’espace.
SEALSQ (NASDAQ: LAES) hat eine Absichtserklärung (MoU) mit der Seoul Metropolitan Government unterzeichnet, um ein Center for Post-Quantum Semiconductor Personalization, Research and Design in Seoul zu etablieren. Die hochmoderne Einrichtung wird sich auf die Erforschung, das Design und die Integration von quanten-resistenten kryptografischen Schlüsseln in Halbleiterchips konzentrieren.
Die Initiative steht im Einklang mit der dominierenden Position Südkoreas auf dem globalen Halbleitermarkt und kontrolliert 17% des weltweiten Halbleiteranteils. Die Regierung hat $136 Millionen für QUantenforschung und -entwicklung (R&D) 2025 bereitgestellt. Der globale PQC-Markt (Post-Quantum Cryptography) wird voraussichtlich von $1,1 Milliarden im Jahr 2024 auf 4-9 Milliarden bis 2030-2033 wachsen, bei einer CAGR von 37-45%.
Das Zentrum wird RISC-V-Chip-Architekturen mit eingebetteter Post-Quantum-Kryptografie nutzen und quantenresistente Verschlüsselungsmodule in Satellitensysteme integrieren, wodurch Südkorea als führend in den Bereichen Halbleiter- und Raumfahrtinnovation positioniert wird.
SEALSQ (NASDAQ: LAES) وقّعت مذكرة تفاهم مع حكومة مدينة سول الكبرى لإقامة مركز تخصيص، وبحث وتصميم أشباه الموصلات بعد الكوانتم في سول. ستتFocused المنشأة المتقدمة على البحث، التصميم، وتضمين مفاتيح تشفير مقاومة للكمّ في رقاقة أشباه الموصلات.
تتوافق المبادرة مع موقع كوريا الجنوبية المهيمن في سوق أشباه الموصلات العالمي، حيث تسيطر على 17% من حصة السوق العالمية للأشباه. خصصت الحكومة $136 مليوناً للبحوث والتطوير الكوانتية في 2025. من المتوقع أن ينمو سوق التشفير بعد الكوانتم (PQC) العالمي من $1.1 مليار في 2024 إلى 4-9 مليارات بحلول 2030-2033، بمعدل نمو مركب سنوي يتراوح بين 37-45%.
سيستفيد المركز من بنى RISC-V مع تشفير بعد-الكوانتم مدمج ودمج وحدات تشفير مقاومة للكوانتم في أنظمة الأقمار الصناعية، مما يضع كوريا الجنوبية كقائدة في كل من ابتكار أشباه الموصلات والفضاء.
SEALSQ（纳斯达克股票代码：LAES） 已与首尔特别市政府签署谅解备忘录（MoU），在首尔设立 后量子半导体个性化、研究与设计中心。该前沿设施将聚焦研究、设计并将量子抗性加密密钥嵌入半导体芯片。
这一举措与韩国在全球半导体市场中的主导地位相一致，控制着 全球半导体市场份额的 17%。政府已为 2025 年的量子领域研发拨款 $1.36 亿。全球后量子密码学（PQC）市场预计将从 2024 年的 $11 亿增至 2030-2033 年的 40-90 亿美元，复合年增长率（CAGR）为 37-45% 。
该中心将利用具嵌入式后量子密码的 RISC-V 芯片架构，并将量子抗性加密模块集成到卫星系统中，使韩国在半导体和航天创新领域处于领先地位。
- Strategic partnership with Seoul Metropolitan Government strengthens SEALSQ's global expansion
- Access to South Korea's dominant semiconductor market with 17% global market share
- Alignment with government's $136 million quantum R&D investment in 2025
- Targeting fast-growing PQC market projected to reach $4-9 billion by 2030-2033
- Integration of quantum-resistant technology into satellite systems expands market opportunities
- Project is still in early MoU stage with locations and partners yet to be identified
- Significant investment and infrastructure required for implementation
- Competitive pressure in South Korea's established semiconductor market
Insights
SEALSQ's partnership with Seoul positions the company strategically in the high-growth post-quantum security market while leveraging South Korea's semiconductor expertise.
This MoU between SEALSQ and the Seoul Metropolitan Government represents a strategic positioning move in the rapidly emerging post-quantum cryptography (PQC) market. The planned Research and Design Center addresses a critical vulnerability in modern infrastructure as quantum computing advances threaten to break current encryption standards. By focusing on semiconductor personalization—the crucial final step where security features are embedded into chips—SEALSQ is targeting a high-value segment of the supply chain.
The partnership leverages South Korea's considerable advantages: the country controls 17% of the global semiconductor market and excels in memory chip production. South Korea's commitment of
What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is the integration of RISC-V chip architecture with post-quantum cryptography. RISC-V's open-standard approach allows for customized security implementations while avoiding licensing fees associated with proprietary architectures. The center's focus on satellite system security also addresses a critical vulnerability—as quantum computing advances, satellite networks will become increasingly susceptible to attacks unless hardened with quantum-resistant encryption.
For SEALSQ, establishing this center represents an opportunity to secure early-mover advantage in a nascent but rapidly growing market, while simultaneously gaining access to South Korea's world-class semiconductor ecosystem. The public-private partnership model being employed here, which SEALSQ mentions is part of a broader global strategy, offers advantages in market penetration and regulatory alignment.
Seoul, South Korea / Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) ("SEALSQ" or "Company"), a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI, and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Invest Seoul, represented by Mayor Oh Se-hoon, which aims to establish a Post-Quantum Semiconductor Personalization, Research and Design Center in Seoul. The parties will now work together to identify suitable locations and local partners to join this exciting project.
A Quantum-Ready Facility for the Next Generation of Security
The proposed new center would serve as a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to researching, designing, testing, and embedding quantum-resistant cryptographic keys and identities into semiconductor chips, a crucial final step in the value chain that ensures devices are secured against future quantum-enabled cyberattacks.
The facility would serve to:
- Research and design innovative RISC-V chip architectures integrated with post-quantum cryptography
- Personalize and test post-quantum cryptographic chips at scale for IOT applications.
- Integrate quantum-resistant encryption modules into satellite systems, enhancing secure space communications.
- Act as a regional hub for semiconductor and space innovation, strengthening South Korea’s leadership in both industries.
The project plans to leverage RISC-V–based chip architectures with embedded post-quantum cryptography, fully compliant with Common Criteria and NIST’s Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) guidelines.
Strategic Alignment with South Korea’s Semiconductor & Space Leadership
South Korea is a global semiconductor powerhouse, controlling nearly
The establishment of this center aims to directly address the growing market demand for PQC:
- The global PQC market is projected to grow from
$1.1 billion in 2024 to between$4 –9 billion by 2030–2033, representing a CAGR of 37–45% . - The Asia-Pacific region is among the fastest-growing markets, with South Korea leading as a testbed for quantum key distribution (QKD), PQC pilots, and secure communications infrastructure.
By combining semiconductor expertise with quantum-ready cryptography, the new center would strengthen South Korea’s strategic role in global cybersecurity and digital sovereignty.
A unique feature of the Seoul initiative is the proposed integration of quantum-resistant technology into satellite systems, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to securing global communications infrastructure. As quantum computing advances, space-based assets such as satellites, navigation systems, and communications networks face heightened vulnerability. By embedding PQC directly at the semiconductor level, SEALSQ is demonstrating a comprehensive approach to post-quantum security, converging terrestrial and space-based infrastructure to ensure resilience in both domains.
A Global Expansion Through Public-Private Partnerships
This project is part of SEALSQ’s broader global expansion strategy through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), with similar initiatives currently underway and in development across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
The company’s focus on RISC-V chip architectures integrated with post-quantum cryptography ensures alignment with international standards and regulatory frameworks, particularly those emerging from NIST PQC guidelines. This positions SEALSQ at the forefront of compliance, resilience, and trust in the post-quantum era.
“South Korea has long been a semiconductor powerhouse,” said SEALSQ’s Director David Fergusson, who together with SEALSQ’s COO Loic Hamon, signed the MOU with Mayor Oh He-soon at the 2025 Seoul Investors Forum. “Today, the country’s economy runs on semiconductors,which are embedded in every industry, from automotive to telecom to healthcare. Yet, without secure next-generation chips, it will be impossible to sustain the growth of this integrated digital society. By hosting SEALSQ’s Post-Quantum Semiconductor Center in Seoul, the nation is not only strengthening its dominance in chips but also positioning itself as a first mover in post-quantum security, a field that will define global competitiveness in the coming decade. This initiative ensures Korea’s future remains both innovative and secure.”
"Today, Seoul joins hands with SEALSQ, the world’s leading quantum security technology company, to shape the future together,” said Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Seoul Metropolitan Government. “The South Korean government has recently announced plans to pilot applications of quantum security technology in core national infrastructure, including administration, communications, defense, and healthcare. Partnering with SEALSQ on this Post-Quantum Semiconductor Personalization, Research and Design Center reinforces our ambition to lead not only in semiconductors but also in cybersecurity and space innovation. This initiative will help secure our digital future and create high-value opportunities for our economy."
"The signing of this MoU with the City of Seoul marks an important milestone in our mission to build a quantum-safe world,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of SEALSQ. “By embedding post-quantum cryptography at the semiconductor level, we are addressing one of the most urgent global challenges: ensuring that critical infrastructure remains secure in the age of quantum computing. Few countries are as uniquely positioned as South Korea to lead this transformation. Throught the SEALSQ program, we are establishing a tryly collaborative partnership, bringing the world’s most innovative post-quantum chip technology to the country in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and leading Korean semiconductor companies. Together we aim to unlock the full potential of post-quantul inovation.”
About the Seoul Metropolitan Government
Seoul Metropolitan Government, through its Formal Investment Promotion Agency Invest Seoul, is dedicated to creating a foreign investor–friendly environment and transforming the city into a premier global investment hub. By leveraging expertise and collaborating with industry institutions and private-sector specialists, Seoul supports global enterprises entering the city as well as Seoul-based companies seeking international growth, pledging to be a trusted partner for investors and businesses shaping the future. Visit: english.seoul.go.kr (Seoul Metropolitan Government), investseoul.org (Invest Seoul).
About SEALSQ:
SEALSQ is a leading innovator in Post-Quantum Technology hardware and software solutions. Our technology seamlessly integrates Semiconductors, PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), and Provisioning Services, with a strategic emphasis on developing state-of-the-art Quantum Resistant Cryptography and Semiconductors designed to address the urgent security challenges posed by quantum computing. As quantum computers advance, traditional cryptographic methods like RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) are increasingly vulnerable.
SEALSQ is pioneering the development of Post-Quantum Semiconductors that provide robust, future-proof protection for sensitive data across a wide range of applications, including Multi-Factor Authentication tokens, Smart Energy, Medical and Healthcare Systems, Defense, IT Network Infrastructure, Automotive, and Industrial Automation and Control Systems. By embedding Post-Quantum Cryptography into our semiconductor solutions, SEALSQ ensures that organizations stay protected against quantum threats. Our products are engineered to safeguard critical systems, enhancing resilience and security across diverse industries.
For more information on our Post-Quantum Semiconductors and security solutions, please visit www.sealsq.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning SEALSQ Corp and its businesses. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business strategy, financial performance, results of operations, market data, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include SEALSQ's ability to continue beneficial transactions with material parties, including a limited number of significant customers; market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; and the risks discussed in SEALSQ's filings with the SEC. Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by SEALSQ with the SEC.
SEALSQ Corp is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
| SEALSQ Corp. Carlos Moreira Chairman & CEO Tel: +41 22 594 3000 info@sealsq.com | SEALSQ Investor Relations (US) The Equity Group Inc. Lena Cati Tel: +1 212 836-9611 lcati@theequitygroup.com |
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