Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) stock plummeted 9.27% in the 24 hours of trading on Wednesday, despite securing a contract from NASA to utilize its Dirac-3 quantum optimization machine for advanced imaging and data processing.

The stock's meteoric rise in recent weeks, surging over 500% since mid-November, has been largely driven by speculation and hype around the promising field of quantum computing. However, concerns about the company's financial sustainability and a potential "quantum computing bubble" appear to have dampened investor enthusiasm. Quantum Computing Inc. reported a net loss of $5.7 million in the third quarter and may require urgent new funding to sustain operations, raising questions about the viability of its lofty valuation.

While quantum computing holds immense potential for revolutionizing various industries, persistent technical challenges, high error margins, and the need for substantial investments have led some experts to caution against speculative fervor outpacing concrete deliverables. The broader industry faces significant barriers, and the race is not merely about advancement but also about crafting a substantiated path towards commercial viability amidst intense competition.