Rigetti Computing Provides Update on 108-Qubit System

Rhea-AI Summary

Rigetti (Nasdaq: RGTI) said it is revising its roadmap for the 108-qubit system Cepheus-1-108Q, moving expected general availability to around the end of Q1 2026. The company reported progress on fidelity targets, stating a current median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99% on the 108-qubit system and targets 99.5% median fidelity. Rigetti cited complexities with tunable couplers and will run another chip iteration to further optimize performance. Cepheus-1-108Q uses twelve 9-qubit chiplets in a proprietary modular chip architecture and will be the company’s largest qubit-count system to date.

Positive

• Median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99% on 108-qubit system
• Achieved 99.7% fidelity on 9-qubit and 99.6% on 36-qubit systems
• Cepheus-1-108Q uses modular architecture with twelve 9-qubit chiplets

Negative

• General availability delayed to around end of Q1 2026
• Another chip iteration required due to tunable coupler complexities

Key Figures

Cepheus-1-108Q size 108 qubits Planned general-availability quantum computing system

GA timing End of Q1 2026 Expected general availability of Cepheus-1-108Q

Target gate fidelity 99.5% Target median two-qubit gate fidelity for Cepheus-1-108Q

Current 108-qubit fidelity 99% Median two-qubit gate fidelity on 108-qubit system

9-qubit fidelity 99.7% Median two-qubit gate fidelity on 9-qubit system

36-qubit fidelity 99.6% Median two-qubit gate fidelity on 36-qubit system

Chiplets per system 12 chiplets Cepheus-1-108Q built from twelve 9-qubit chiplets

Chiplet size 9 qubits Qubit count per chiplet in modular architecture

Market Reality Check

$24.72 Last Close

Volume Volume 32,188,224 is at 0.96x the 20-day average of 33,364,242, indicating typical trading activity ahead of this roadmap update. normal

Technical Shares trade above the 200-day MA, with price at 25.25 versus 200-day MA of 20.15 before this announcement.

Peers on Argus

Peer moves were mixed: QBTS (-1.96%), QUBT (+2.93%), IONQ (+1.67%), LOGI (+1.86%), PSTG (-4.09%). This pattern does not indicate a unified sector move around this news.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
2026-01-05	Conference participation	Neutral	+6.0%	Needham Growth Conference fireside chat and investor meetings announcement.
2025-11-10	Quarterly earnings	Negative	-2.0%	Q3 2025 results with revenue softness and large losses versus prior year.
2025-10-28	AI partnership	Positive	-7.9%	Support for NVIDIA NVQLink integrating quantum with AI supercomputing.
2025-10-28	Earnings call scheduling	Neutral	-7.9%	Announcement of Q3 2025 report date and related investor conference call.
2025-09-30	System purchase orders	Positive	+0.5%	Two Novera quantum systems ordered totaling about <b>$5.7M</b> in value.

Pattern Detected

Across the last 5 news items, price aligned with perceived sentiment in 3 cases and diverged in 2, including a -7.88% move on a positive NVIDIA collaboration headline.

Recent Company History

Over the past six months, Rigetti has reported Q3 2025 results with significant operating and net losses alongside a detailed multi‑year technology roadmap, announced a support partnership with NVIDIA’s NVQLink, secured purchase orders totaling $5.7M for two 9‑qubit systems, and communicated multiple conference and earnings events. Price reactions have sometimes been negative even on positive strategic updates, underlining that execution and financing context matter alongside technical milestones.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Rigetti’s progress toward a 108‑qubit modular system while revising general availability to the end of Q1 2026. Reported median two‑qubit gate fidelities of 99%–99.7% across systems emphasize a focus on performance and tunable‑coupler optimization. Recent history of sizable operating losses and insider selling from filings provides context that execution, financing, and technical delivery have all been important considerations alongside roadmap changes.

Key Terms

quantum-classical computing technical

"a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, today announced"

A computing approach that pairs emerging quantum processors with conventional (classical) computers so each handles the tasks it does best—like a specialist working with a generalist. For investors, this hybrid model is important because it allows practical early uses of quantum advantages (faster solutions for certain simulations, optimization, and machine-learning tasks) without waiting for fully faultless quantum machines, so it guides where near-term value and bets may appear.

two-qubit gate fidelity technical

"achieve 99.5% median two-qubit gate fidelity, and are well on our way"

Two-qubit gate fidelity measures how accurately a quantum computer performs a basic operation that links two quantum bits (qubits). Think of it like the success rate of a two-person handshake that must be precise for a larger task; higher fidelity means fewer errors, better chances of running useful algorithms, and lower cost to correct mistakes. Investors watch it because higher fidelity signals more reliable hardware and faster progress toward commercially valuable quantum computing.

tunable couplers technical

"We encountered complexities with our tunable couplers and have decided"

Tunable couplers are hardware components that let engineers adjust how strongly two parts of an electronic, optical, or quantum device interact, like a dimmer switch that controls light between two rooms. For investors, they matter because the ability to finely control interactions improves device performance, flexibility and yield, affects manufacturing complexity and cost, and can be a key differentiator for products that must scale or adapt to different applications.

chiplets technical

"Cepheus-1-108Q is based on twelve 9-qubit chiplets and leverages"

Small, individual semiconductor components that are manufactured separately and then combined into a single package to perform the function of a larger chip. Like using Lego bricks instead of carving one big block, chiplets let designers mix and match proven parts to reduce cost, shorten development time, improve manufacturing yields and enable upgrades; investors watch them because they can lower production risk, boost product competitiveness and affect profit margins across the semiconductor supply chain.

modular chip architecture technical

"leverages Rigetti’s proprietary modular chip architecture. The system"

A modular chip architecture is a way of building computer chips from separate, interchangeable pieces or modules that can be mixed and matched like Lego bricks to create different products. For investors it matters because this flexibility can speed development, lower manufacturing costs, simplify upgrades, and reduce dependence on a single factory or supplier, all of which can affect a company’s competitiveness, margins, and ability to respond to market demand.

quantum computing system technical

"general availability of its 108-qubit quantum computing system, Cepheus"

A quantum computing system is a type of computer that uses quantum bits—units that can represent many possibilities at once rather than just a single 0 or 1—to explore large sets of solutions in parallel, like testing many keys on a lock simultaneously. For investors, it matters because these systems could solve certain scientific, logistics, and encryption problems far faster than today’s machines, creating new market opportunities, shifting competitive advantage, and affecting long-term value and risk for tech and industry leaders.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

BERKELEY, Calif., Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rigetti Computing, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGTI) (“Rigetti” or the “Company”), a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, today announced that it is revising its roadmap and adjusting the date for general availability of its 108-qubit quantum computing system, Cepheus™-1-108Q. Cepheus-1-108Q is now expected to reach general availability around the end of the first quarter of 2026.

“While we are making strong progress with Cepheus-1-108Q, we are taking more time to test and optimize the system to ensure the performance is up to our standards,” says Rigetti CEO Dr. Subodh Kulkarni. “We have a clear understanding of what we need to do to achieve 99.5% median two-qubit gate fidelity, and are well on our way. Building higher qubit count systems can uncover new challenges. We encountered complexities with our tunable couplers and have decided to run another iteration of our chip to further optimize the system and improve fidelity.”

“We continue to improve our system performance, achieving a median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99% on our 108-qubit system, 99.7% on our 9-qubit system, and 99.6% on our 36-qubit system. This underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering the highest performing systems for our partners and customers.”

Cepheus-1-108Q is based on twelve 9-qubit chiplets and leverages Rigetti’s proprietary modular chip architecture. The system will be Rigetti’s highest qubit count system to date and the industry’s largest modular quantum computing system.

About Rigetti
Rigetti is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. Rigetti quantum computers are based on superconducting qubits, which are widely believed to be the leading qubit modality given their maturity, clear path to scaling, and fast gate speeds. Current Rigetti quantum computing systems achieve gate speeds of 50-70ns, which is about 1,000 times faster than other modalities such as ion traps and neutral atoms.

The Company operates quantum computers over the cloud through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services (QCS) platform, enabling global enterprise, government, and research clients to pursue R&D. The Company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides high-performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing.

Rigetti sells on-premises 9-108 qubit quantum computing systems, supporting national laboratories and quantum computing centers. Rigetti’s 9-qubit Novera QPU supports a broader R&D community with a high-performance, on-premises QPU designed to plug into a customer’s existing cryogenic and control systems.

Rigetti developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. Leveraging this proprietary technology, Rigetti deployed the industry’s largest multi-chip quantum computer in 2025 with Cepheus-1-36Q, based on four 9-qubit chiplets tiled together. The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Learn more at https://www.rigetti.com/.

Rigetti Computing Media Contact:
press@rigetti.com

Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company’s expectations with respect to its future success and performance, including expectations that Cepheus-1-108Q will reach general availability around the end of the first quarter of 2026, and the belief that superconducting qubits are the leading qubit modality given their maturity, clear path to scaling, and fast gate speeds. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to achieve milestones, technological advancements, including with respect to its technology roadmap; Company’s ability to deliver products to customers in time or at all, including actions by customers, such as cancelling orders; the ability of the Company to obtain government contracts successfully and in a timely manner and the availability of government funding; the potential of quantum computing; the success of the Company’s partnerships and collaborations; the Company’s ability to accelerate its development of multiple generations of quantum processors; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or others; the ability to maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and attract and retain management and key employees; costs related to operating as a public company; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, or competitive factors; the Company’s estimates of expenses and profitability; the evolution of the markets in which the Company competes; the ability of the Company to implement its strategic initiatives and expansion plans; the expected use of proceeds from the Company’s past and future financings or other capital; the sufficiency of the Company’s cash resources; unfavorable conditions in the Company’s industry, the global economy or global supply chain, including rising inflation and interest rates, deteriorating international trade relations, political turmoil, natural catastrophes, warfare, and terrorist attacks; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law. The Company does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

FAQ

When will Rigetti's Cepheus-1-108Q (RGTI) be generally available?

Rigetti expects general availability of Cepheus-1-108Q around the end of Q1 2026.

What median two-qubit gate fidelity has Rigetti reported for Cepheus-1-108Q (RGTI)?

Rigetti reported a current median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99% on the 108-qubit system and is targeting 99.5%.

Why did Rigetti (RGTI) change the Cepheus-1-108Q availability date?

The company cited complexities with tunable couplers and will run another chip iteration to further optimize fidelity.

How is Cepheus-1-108Q (RGTI) architected?

Cepheus-1-108Q is built from twelve 9-qubit chiplets using Rigetti’s proprietary modular chip architecture.

How do Rigetti’s smaller systems perform compared with the 108-qubit system?

Rigetti reported 99.7% median two-qubit fidelity on its 9-qubit system and 99.6% on its 36-qubit system.