Quantum computing stocks were red-hot recently, but Jensen Huang just offered optimistic investors a reality check.

Though investors saw this as disappointing, there is some reassuring news. Quantum computing is progressing, meaning these companies will likely report accomplishments and milestones in the months and years to come -- and these represent catalysts for quantum computer stocks to climb.

Several stocks across the quantum computing industry fell sharply Wednesday after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the technology is likely still years away.

Quantum stocks like Rigetti, IonQ and D-Wave Quantum saw steep losses after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said quantum computers are decades away.

Quantum computing has suddenly become a buzzword on Wall Street. Ever since Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) reported that it hit a new milestone with Willow, its new quantum chip, quantum stocks have been soaring.

The same stocks rallied earlier this week after Microsoft unveiled an initiative meant to familiarize business leaders with quantum systems.