The town of San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque Country has become the first city in Europe to install the IBM Quantum System Two, the most advanced commercial quantum computer ever developed by IBM. The device, which integrates a 156-qubit chip called Heron, will enable researchers and companies to explore new technological frontiers that were previously inaccessible.
The team is in the recently inaugurated building of the Ikerbasque Foundation, which promotes scientific research in the town. This facility in San Sebastian is the second in the worldafter a similar team was launched in Kobe, Japan.
Mikel Diez, director of quantum computing at IBM Spain, explained that the new computer has a modular architecture, which means more chips can be added in the future. The device occupies almost the entire room and operates at temperatures close to absolute zero (-273 °C). Thanks to the advanced cooling system.
This initiative is part of the Basque Government’s Basque Quantum (BasQ) program, which aims to strengthen an ecosystem that can integrate scientific, industrial and technological talent.
According to Juan Ignacio Pérez Iglesias, Minister of Science, Universities and Innovation of the Autonomous Community, the installation of this machine not only represents a technological milestone, but is also part of the strategy to build a sustainable quantum ecosystem: “We are working in partnership with science, industry and technology to ensure that this infrastructure can drive innovation and economic development.”
Basque Government President Imanol Pradales emphasized that the region’s track record in investing in research and science was key to IBM’s choice of Spain as the headquarters for this facility.
Horacio Morel, President of IBM Spain, emphasized that the combination of quantum computing with traditional supercomputers and artificial intelligence is the key to turning this technology into a competitive industrial solution, and Jay Gambetta, IBM Research Director, said: The company aims to achieve so-called quantum advantage in 2026..
In the coming years, the Basque government expects this technology to be integrated with modern classical systems and artificial intelligence solutions, and to be fully operational by 2027. For Adolfo Morais, Deputy Minister of Science and Innovation, this project will solidify San Sebastian as a European benchmark capable of attracting talent and producing valuable knowledge.
In fact, the rise of quantum computing, exemplified by the installation of this new equipment in San Sebastian, also raises questions about the security of assets like Bitcoin (BTC). As reported by CriptoNoticias, Capriole founder Charles Edwards warned that the network needs to be updated and made resilient by 2026 or problems will arise.
Cryptography experts and developers agree that as quantum computing advances, there is a limited window of time in which Bitcoin’s security algorithms can be hardened against possible future attacks.