Peer-reviewed Physical Review Research paper shows efficient preparation of financial distributions on quantum hardware
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Haiqu, a leading developer of quantum middleware, has announced the publication of joint research with HSBC in Physical Review Research demonstrating an efficient approach to encoding real-world probability distributions into quantum circuits.
Quantum State Preparation
Quantum state preparation, the process of encoding classical data into quantum states, is widely recognised as a major bottleneck when implementing many algorithms on hardware. This challenge is particularly relevant for applications such as financial risk modelling and simulation, where complex probability distributions must be loaded onto quantum devices.
The research uses matrix product state (MPS) methods to construct shallow circuits that encode smooth functions, including probability distributions, directly into quantum states. It also introduces a sampling-based workflow that avoids storing the full discretised dataset in classical memory, enabling larger encoding circuits to be generated.
The approach was validated on finance-relevant models including heavy-tailed Lévy distributions, commonly used to capture extreme market events.
On IBM quantum hardware, circuits up to 25 qubits produced samples that passed standard statistical tests, showing the method can accurately reproduce the probability distributions these models rely on in practice.
Sampling-Based Workflow
Using the sampling-based workflow, the researchers also executed circuits up to 64 qubits, reproducing qualitative features of the target distributions under realistic device noise and demonstrating feasibility at larger scales. Similar behavior was observed in simulations up to 156 qubits, indicating the approach can extend to substantially larger problem sizes.
“Preparing complex probability distributions efficiently is a key step in many quantum algorithms,” said Dr. Philip Intallura, Group Head of Quantum Technologies at HSBC. “This work shows how they can be implemented with much shallower circuits, bringing practical applications such as financial risk modelling closer.”
“One of the biggest practical barriers is getting realistic financial data onto today’s quantum hardware. This work shows a scalable path around that barrier and helps move quantum finance workflows from theory toward execution.” Mykola Maksymenko, Co-founder & CTO, Haiqu
Haiqu is an emerging leader in quantum software that supports the notion that near-term, commercially viable applications are achievable with the right software, even on current hardware. Haiqu’s hardware-agnostic software can run applications with up to 100x more operations on current devices compared to competitors. Headquartered in New York City in the United States, Haiqu’s expert team operates from US, Canada, Ukraine, UK, EU, and Singapore, contributing to the company’s mission to make quantum computing practical as soon as possible.
FinTech Strategy meets Ishtiaq M Ahmed, Senior Product Manager – Emerging Tech, Innovation & Ventures at HSBC, to learn more about the future of payments – real-time, cross-border and beyond
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Financial Transformation Summit 2025 EXCLUSIVE
At the Financial Transformation Summit 2025, Ishtiaq M Ahmed, HSBC’s Senior Product Manager, for Emerging Technology, Innovation & Ventures, joined a panel with J.P. Morgan, Revolut, Lloyds and EY to explore how real-time payments, embedded finance and global collaboration are shaping the future of financial services. How are real-time payments reshaping banking infrastructure? What are the regulatory challenges for cross-border payments? How can banks compete with FinTechs in the rapidly evolving payments space? How are digital wallets and mobile payment platforms changing consumer spending behaviours?
We spoke with Ishtiaq after the session to explore what drives HSBC’s approach to innovation, how customer expectations are evolving, and why trust remains at the core of transformation.
Hi Ishtiaq, tell us about your role at HSBC?
“I work on Global Product within HSBC’s Emerging Technology, Innovation & Ventures team. Our focus is to deliver next-generation propositions, particularly across payments, embedded finance and frontier technologies. We work on horizon 2 and 3 initiatives, with a view to turning emerging ideas into viable, scalable solutions. The goal isn’t just to experiment. It’s to test, validate and shape innovations that will help us serve customers better and redefine how financial services operate in the years ahead.”
It’s a transformational time for payments with the rise of open banking and a national vision for the UK. Give us your overview…
“Payments is possibly the most loved area by both FinTechs and banks. A lot of what is happening in payments, it’s where a lot of meaningful innovation is already landing. It’s no longer theory or ideation, its practical and accelerating. The UK’s National Payments Vision is ambitious, and rightly so. But ambition needs alignment. We need stronger collaboration between Banks, FinTechs, Regulators and infrastructure service providers. This journey will take time and coordination. It’s more a marathon than a sprint, and we’re only just getting started.”
Why is this an exciting time for HSBC?
“Simply because the way technology has penetrated our lives and the influence of technology on how banking is evolving are very closely knitted. Technology is no longer on the edges of banking; it’s embedded in every customer interaction.”
What trends are you seeing across the Financial Services landscape? What will be important for you and your customers?
“The shift towards alternative payment methods is one I feel strongly about. For decades, the path was linear: cash to cheque to card. Now, we’re entering a new chapter. Pay by Bank, or direct account-to-account payment, is gaining traction. Some regions have already scaled it. In the UK, it’s about to accelerate. This trend will unlock lower costs, faster movement of money and better control for users. It’s not just about technology. It’s about user experience and future-ready infrastructure.”
What other pain points are your customers experiencing that you need to address? What are they asking you for help with? How are you meeting the challenge?
“I think for customers it’s very simple. As a customer myself, I look for speed, ease, and simplicity in everything that I do. That’s universal. But what makes it complex today is the influence of AI, automation and data. People want innovation, but not at the expense of trust. So, while we innovate, we keep trust as the anchor. The real test is whether customers can do more, faster and easier, while still feeling their money is protected and their experience is safe. That’s the balance we aim to strike.”
Tell us about a recent success story…
“We’re particularly proud of the work we’re doing on embedded payments. The goal is to make payments feel invisible – integrated into the environment the customer is already in. Whether that’s a retail website, a social app or a business platform, customers shouldn’t have to toggle across apps to complete a payment. We have already launched products in this space, and we’re continuing to build. It’s about making banking ambient – present where the customer is, not where the bank wants them to be.”
Why do you think the evolution of collaboration between banks and FinTechs is set to continue? What are you excited about?
“FinTechs bring urgency and imagination. Banks bring trust, infrastructure and scale. The opportunity is not in competing, but in co-creating. We have seen some encouraging partnerships, and we’re still working at the surface level. There’s a much deeper layer of value if we can move beyond tactical deals into genuine joint innovation.”
Why Financial Transformation Summit? What is it about this particular event that makes it the perfect place to embrace innovation? What’s the response been like for HSBC?
“Events like this are important because they bring together different voices with a shared interest in shaping the future. What stood out to me is how open the audience and panellists are to challenging ideas and exploring new perspectives. These are places where real conversations happen; where you meet regulators, banks, FinTechs and enablers all under one roof. It’s these intersections that move the industry forward.”
About HSBC Emerging Technology, Innovation & Ventures
HSBC Emerging Technology, Innovation & Ventures team is a global group of technologists, data scientists and venture specialist dedicated to shaping the banks future capabilities. Our goal is to deliver world class digital-first banking across HSBC’s global footprint.
Our mission is to drive meaningful innovation across the organisation by identifying and unlocking opportunities that enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency and embrace disruptive technologies.
Our approach is rooted in experimentation, rapid prototyping, continuous iteration. By working closely with both internal and internal partners and external collaborators, we test and refine new ideas, prioritising solution that are scalable, impactful and aligned with the needs of our customers.
We actively partner with leading technology firms, FintTechs, academic institutions and policy makers to stay at the forefront of digital innovation and accelerate time to market.
By combining the scale, trust and resilience of HSBC with agility and mindset of a tech start-up, we aim to nurture transformative ideas, drive strategic innovation and shape the future of banking.
