Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc - Update on US Patent Application

1 April 2026

 

Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc
( “ QBT ” or “ the Company ”)

 

 

Update on US Patent Application – ASIC Ultra Boost

 

Further to the Company ’ s announcement of 23 March 2026, Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc (AIM: QBT) provides an update in relation to its US patent application titled “ ASIC Ultra Boost” (US Patent Application No. 18/696,073) which has received a “Final Rejection” from the United States Patent and Trademark Office ( “ USPTO ”), together with a detailed report from its US patent attorneys.

 

As previously disclosed, the issuance of a “Final Rejection” is a standard step in the US patent examination process, and such rejections are frequently overcome through continued patent prosecution.

 

The Examiner has raised an objection based on a combination of asserted prior art documents, including a thesis by Rahul P. Naik and a newly cited US patent application (US2009/0262925 A1), with additional reference to a paper by Dr Nicolas Courtois for certain dependent claims.

 

Mr Naik is the inventor of the ASIC Ultra Boost which constitutes the QBT’s patent application, and Dr Courtois was his former supervisor in the MSc Information Security programme within the Department of Computer Science at University College London. The patent application explicitly references Mr Naik’s prior work.

 

Based on an initial review, the Company understands that the Examiner ’ s concerns primarily relate to the breadth of the patent application’s claims, rather than a fundamental lack of novelty of the underlying technology. Accordingly, the Company believes that there remains a viable pathway forward through further refinement of the claim scope.

 

The Company confirms that its US patent attorneys have already scheduled an interview with the USPTO Examiner on 20 April 2026, and preparations are underway to support this discussion. Comments are expected to be submitted in advance of the interview.

 

The deadline for responding formally to the Final Office Action is 19 June 2026. The Company is working closely with its patent attorneys to formulate a robust response strategy, which may include amended claims and/or further technical arguments.

 

The Company reiterates that the issuance of a Final Office Action is a common step in the US patent examination process, and that such rejections are frequently overcome through continued prosecution.

 

QBT will provide further updates as appropriate.

 

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ( “ MAR” ), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company ’ s obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

 

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For further information please contact:

 

Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc   +39 335 296573

Francesco Gardin, CEO and Executive Chairman

 

SP Angel Corporate Finance   (Nominated Adviser & Broker)   +44 (0) 20 3470 0470

Caroline Rowe / Devik Mehta

 

Leander   (Financial PR)   +44 (0) 7795 168 157

Christian Taylor-Wilkinson

 

 

About Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc

 

QBT (AIM: QBT) is a London Stock Exchange AIM listed Research & Development and investing company focused on an intensive R&D programme to disrupt the Blockchain Technologies sector which includes, cryptocurrency mining and other advanced blockchain applications. The primary goal of the R&D programme is to develop Bitcoin mining tools and techniques, via its technology-driven approach, which the Company believes will significantly outperform existing market practices.