SCBX Unveils Quantum Outlook 2026: Five Priorities for Readiness and Business Opportunity, Highlighting Quantum as More Than a Data Threat and a New Opportunity for Financial Services

SCBX Unveils Quantum Outlook 2026:

Five Priorities for Readiness and Business Opportunity,

Highlighting Quantum as More Than a Data Threat

and a New Opportunity for Financial Services

• Partners with Chulalongkorn University on portfolio optimization and fraud detection research, alongside long-term data protection, to help Thailand become a quantum technology contributor, not just a consumer.

Bangkok, 12 November 2026 — SCBX, a leading financial technology group in Thailand, has launched “SCBX Quantum Outlook 2026 — The Unfiltered Truth of Quantum,” highlighting that quantum computing is not only a threat to data encryption but also has the potential to create new value for financial services. The report calls on Thai organizations to prepare both to protect their data and to capitalize on business opportunities through five priorities: identifying business problems, preparing data security, developing talent, building partnerships and tracking technological progress. SCBX aims to bridge research and practical applications while beginning its transition to quantum-safe security, laying the foundations for Thailand to help develop the technology rather than simply wait to adopt it.

The report is the second in the Quantum Outlook series, following “SCBX Quantum Outlook: Post-Quantum Cryptography,” published in December 2025. It expands the focus from safeguarding data against future threats to exploring how Thailand and its financial sector can create value from quantum computing. The emphasis is on systematic preparation, a clear understanding of the technology’s limitations and evidence-based testing of its capabilities.

Mr. Kaweewut Temphuwapat, Chief Innovation Officer, SCBX, and Chief Executive Officer, SCB 10X, said: “Quantum computing is more than an IT upgrade. It will change how we solve some of the most complex problems in finance, medicine and logistics. The real risk for Thailand is not that the technology arrives late, but that it advances rapidly before we are ready. SCBX is building that readiness now through research, partnerships and talent development, so that Thailand enters the quantum era as a contributor to the technology, not just a consumer.”

Assessing Business Opportunities Based on Demonstrable Capabilities

The report notes that quantum computers have the potential to solve specific, highly complex problems. They will not accelerate every type of computation or replace classical computers entirely. Leading developers’ technology roadmaps now point to potential practical applications in the late 2020s to early 2030s, earlier than previous expectations of the late 2030s. Progress must nevertheless be judged by system reliability and verifiable results, rather than qubit counts alone.

Financial services is among the sectors that could benefit from the technology. The report cites global studies estimating potential value creation of approximately US$400–600 billion a year in financial services by 2035. This is a forward-looking estimate, not value already realized. Promising applications include risk assessment, fraud detection and portfolio optimization, with the potential to improve efficiency and deliver long-term benefits to customers and businesses.

Advancing Financial Research and Quantum-Safe Security

Since May 2026, SCBX R&D has been collaborating with Siam Quantum Square (SQ²) at Chulalongkorn University to explore and design quantum computing approaches to financial problems, starting with portfolio optimization and fraud detection. Each approach is benchmarked against the best classical methods to assess its actual benefits and prepare for further development once the hardware is sufficiently capable.

In parallel, SCBX Group has begun transitioning the systems that protect customer data and payments to quantum-safe security. The transition addresses the risk that data stolen today could be decrypted in the future, once quantum computers become sufficiently powerful. Early preparation is therefore critical to safeguarding information that must remain confidential for years to come.

Dr. Tutanon Sinthuprasith, Head of R&D, SCBX, said: “We are not waiting for the technology to be ready before we begin exploring it. Together with Chulalongkorn University, we are already investigating how quantum computing could solve real financial problems—from building better investment portfolios to detecting fraud faster—and rigorously and objectively testing every approach against the best methods available today. At the same time, we have begun upgrading the security that protects our customers’ data for the quantum era. For SCBX Group, readiness is not just a statement of intent. It means taking concrete action.”

Five Priorities to Prepare Thai Organizations for the Quantum Era

The report sets out five priorities to help Thai organizations prepare for the quantum era:

1. Identify critical business problems. Select two or three complex problems for which current computing methods offer only approximate solutions.
2. Prioritize data protection. Map the use of encryption across the organization, prioritizing long-lived customer data, payment systems and digital identity.
3. Build talent before investing in hardware. Give engineers and data scientists opportunities to develop quantum skills.
4. Build partnerships. Work with universities, cloud providers and industry partners to access expertise and technology without having to own the hardware.
5. Track verifiable progress. Evaluate machine reliability, error-correction capabilities and independently verified results.

SCBX aims to bridge research and business needs by working with academia on practical use cases, translating knowledge into national capability. The Quantum Outlook series also seeks to strengthen quantum literacy across Thai businesses and support the development of talent equipped to participate in the future quantum economy.

“SCBX Quantum Outlook 2026 — The Unfiltered Truth of Quantum” was produced by SCBX R&D in collaboration with researchers from Chulalongkorn University, QTFT and SCB DataX. Its six chapters cover quantum readiness and opportunities, the fundamentals for non-specialists, progress toward practical quantum computing, quantum-safe security developments in 2026, the global investment landscape and Thailand’s position. The report also includes a practical organizational readiness checklist.

The full report, SCBX Quantum Outlook 2026: The Unfiltered Truth of Quantum, can be downloaded at https://www.scbx.com/en/scbx-exclusive/quantum-outlook-2026/.

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