SDT, a South Korean quantum technology company, plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) next year, marking the first attempt by a domestic quantum startup in Korea. SDT is focused on developing quantum cryptography devices such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG), as well as ultra-precise quantum sensor solutions.

SK Telecom recently announced that a consortium it is part of has won a contract to develop a national-level quantum cryptographic communication system for South Korea. The project aims to enhance the security of future wireless and satellite communications. This five-year national project is to develop a satellite-based long-range wireless Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system that will support secure communication up to 30 kilometers and can be mounted on satellites as well as on the ground.

According to a recent forecast of the quantum key distribution (QKD) market released by IQT Research, a quantum technology industry-analysis firm, the global QKD market is projected to reach approximately $269 million in 2024, grow to $2.3 billion by 2029, and rise to $9.1 Billion by 2033.

The Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), in a recent report, discusses the crucial role hybridized cryptographic systems that leverage both quantum key distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) will play in future defense-in-depth strategies. The report suggests that combining QKD and PQC significantly strengthens the resistance to the quantum threat due to their complementary properties.

Canadian researchers from the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) recently released a modular open-source Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) software package on GitHub. It allows users to model realistic QKD protocols and calculate the generation rate for secure quantum keys using user-submitted variables for real-world scenarios. 

Recently, a new research project named "MANTIS," led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Germany, has been officially launched with a kick-off event. This project, costing 5.11 million euros, aims to utilize modern quantum technology to safeguard critical infrastructure against hacker attacks. The MANTIS project is specifically researching the advantages of so-called MDI-QKD(Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution) over conventional QKD methods.