The Wall Street Journal reported several quantum computing firms are in talks to grant equity shares to the government in exchange for federal funding.

Quantum-computing stocks surged after The Wall Street Journal reported that several companies are in talks to give the Commerce Department equity stakes in exchange for federal funding. Shares in Rigetti Computing (RGTI),

The Trump administration is in early-stage conversations with quantum computing companies to discuss potential financial support for an industry that’s part of the growing race with China for technology supremacy.

A recent Wall Street Journal report has sparked major renewed interest in the quantum computing sector, claiming that President Trump is pushing for the U.S. government to acquire ownership stakes in several key players.

The discussions signal Washington’s wider involvement in critical parts of the economy.

The Trump admin denied it was in talks to take equity stakes in U.S. quantum firms, contradicting a Wall Street Journal report citing unnamed sources.

Shares in quantum computing firms are getting a lift Thursday on reports that the Trump administration is in discussions to take equity stakes in them in exchange for federal funding. IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing are among the companies said to be involved in the talks.

Shares of quantum computing companies rose after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump Administration was in talks to take equity stakes in the industry. IonQ rose 8.9%. Rigetti gained 9.9%. D-Wave surged 16%. Quantum Computing shares lifted 11%.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is in talks with several quantum-computing companies to take equity stakes in exchange for federal funding, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday,