BTQ Technologies and ICTK Finalize Design of New QCIM Security Chip

BTQ Technologies Corp. and ICTK Co., Ltd. have concluded the design phase for their next-generation QCIM + PUF security chip, intended for quantum-era applications. The chip integrates BTQ's Quantum Compute-in-Memory (QCIM) security intellectual property with ICTK's VIA PUF™ technology. This collaboration aims to provide a hardware-rooted security platform for unique device authentication, cryptographic acceleration, and trusted device identity at the silicon level. Production preparations are now underway.

The QCIM architecture is designed as a compact, low-power cryptographic accelerator that supports both classical and post-quantum cryptography. By performing crypto operations within the memory subsystem, QCIM is intended to reduce latency, power consumption, and data movement, while enabling crypto-agility across various chip architectures and connected devices. This next-generation chip is being developed for use in IoT, AI devices, industrial systems, and other connected infrastructure where device authentication and long-term cryptographic resilience are critical.

Integration of ICTK's VIA PUF™ technology provides the chip with unique, hardware-derived identities based on microscopic manufacturing variations. This Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) capability helps establish whether a device is authentic and trusted, crucial for high-assurance networks. The combined solution is designed to offer cryptographic agility coupled with device-level authentication.

The collaboration between BTQ and ICTK began with a memorandum of understanding in May 2025, followed by a $15 million development and joint investment agreement in November 2025. This agreement established a roadmap for joint development, validation, tape-outs, certification, and potential mass production of the QCIM chip.

BTQ has begun shipping test chips to key customers and strategic partners for validation, a step intended to support the company's readiness for mass production and global market entry. BTQ CEO Olivier Roussy Newton stated that the QCIM and PUF platform is positioned to aid the transition to quantum security by enabling hardware-rooted trust for critical infrastructure.