SoftBank acquires DigitalBridge for $4 billion to secure critical AI data center infrastructure

SoftBank stakes $4B on securing AI data center power and capacity -- DigitalBridge purchase indicative of AI industry's increasing investments in energy supply

SoftBank agrees to acquire DigitalBridge in a $4 billion transaction as it moves to secure data center capacity for large-scale AI compute. SoftBank has agreed to acquire DigitalBridge in a deal valuing the digital infrastructure investor at roughly $4 billion, including debt. The transaction, if it closes, would take DigitalBridge private at $16 per share in cash. SoftBank says the acquisition is intended to accelerate its global AI infrastructure strategy by giving it direct access to data center development pipelines, financing mechanisms, and power-constrained real estate as AI compute demand collides with physical limits. SoftBank's founder, Masayoshi Son, has been repositioning the company around AI after years of mixed results from its Vision Fund strategy. SoftBank's deal comes days after Alphabet announced that it would acquire Intersect -- another provider of data center and energy infrastructure solutions -- for $4.75 billion in cash. Taken together, the two deals demonstrate how AI infrastructure planning is moving upstream into power origination and grid access, rather than continuing to focus solely on server procurement. DigitalBridge, a specialist investor and asset manager, does not operate data centers in the way hyperscalers do. It functions as an infrastructure investment and management platform that raises capital, acquires or develops assets, and places operational teams around them. According to its most recent public disclosures, DigitalBridge manages more than $100 billion in digital infrastructure assets across multiple portfolios. Within its data center holdings, the company says it has a "power bank" of around 22 gigawatts across land it owns, facilities already operating, and projects under development. Modern AI data centers are increasingly defined by how quickly developers can secure grid connections and deliver reliable power at densities far above historical norms. DigitalBridge has been clear that its competitive advantage lies in sourcing entitled land with power access, financing long-duration infrastructure, and then pairing those assets with operators or hyperscalers. Its portfolio includes well-known data center platforms such as Switch, Vantage Data Centers, DataBank, AtlasEdge, Yondr, and AIMS, alongside Takanock, a vehicle created specifically to assemble powered land for future data center builds. This solves a problem for SoftBank that money alone cannot fix. AI compute buildouts are increasingly bottlenecked by physical infrastructure rather than silicon supply. Even when accelerators are available, bringing a new AI facility online can take years due to grid interconnection queues, local permitting, and the need to design cooling and power delivery systems that can sustain extremely high continuous loads. DigitalBridge's model is designed to compress those timelines by doing the slow work in advance and spreading capital risk across long-term infrastructure funds rather than a single corporate balance sheet. Traditional enterprise and cloud data centers were built around rack densities measured in single-digit or low double-digit kilowatts, but AI systems have surpassed that by a significant margin. Training clusters built around modern accelerator pods routinely target rack densities that approach or exceed 100 kilowatts, forcing fundamental changes in power distribution and cooling architecture. These requirements ripple through the entire facility, with high-density AI racks demanding liquid cooling, often with direct-to-chip cold plates and increasingly with rear-door heat exchangers or full immersion in some designs. Power distribution moves away from conventional raised-floor layouts toward busways, higher-voltage feeds, and redundant substations sized for continuous peak load. Water availability, heat rejection, and serviceability become first-order constraints rather than secondary design considerations. This is where DigitalBridge's emphasis on megawatts and entitled land comes in. A parcel of land capable of supporting 50-100 megawatts of reliable power, with room for substations and cooling infrastructure, is far more valuable for AI than a conventional colocation shell that must be retrofitted. DigitalBridge underscores this point by valuing capacity in megawatts rather than square footage, reflecting how AI economics increasingly scale with power rather than floor space. While accelerators from vendors such as Nvidia dominate headlines, the surrounding infrastructure can represent an equal or greater share of capital expenditure at scale. Liquid cooling systems, power delivery equipment, switchgear, and grid upgrades all add to the bill of materials, so securing sites where those systems can be deployed quickly is becoming a priority for anyone deploying AI at scale. SoftBank has hardly been coy about its intention to sit at the center of the next AI buildout, both through equity stakes and infrastructure. The company has backed or partnered with major AI developers, including OpenAI, and has discussed large-scale compute initiatives that would require multiple gigawatts of capacity over the coming decade. Acquiring DigitalBridge gives SoftBank a way to influence how and where that capacity comes online without turning itself into a hyperscale data center operator. Rather than single companies funding multibillion-dollar data center campuses outright, much of the new capacity is being developed through partnerships between asset managers, infrastructure funds, and tech firms. DigitalBridge's model fits into that ecosystem, allowing SoftBank to co-invest and align infrastructure development with the needs of its AI portfolio companies. What isn't so clear is how directly SoftBank intends to steer DigitalBridge's assets toward its own AI projects. The firm could use the platform primarily as a capacity provider for partners, or pursue tighter integration, aligning specific developments with known AI workloads and accelerator roadmaps. There is also the question of geography. DigitalBridge's portfolio spans North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, giving SoftBank optionality in where it anchors future AI clusters based on considerations such as regulatory environments, access to power, and connectivity. In real terms, AI at scale is constrained just as much by civil engineering and electrical infrastructure as it is by semiconductor manufacturing. SoftBank's decision to acquire DigitalBridge reflects a recognition that controlling the pipeline of land and megawatt potential might be just as important as securing access to next-gen silicon. Alphabet's Intersect deal makes the same point from the hyperscaler perspective: power now plays a big role in dictating deployment schedules, so owning or controlling energy developments is naturally becoming part of broader compute strategies.

AI Has Fueled $70 Billion in Data Center M&A Talks This Year

SoftBank's billionaire founder, Masayoshi Son, aims to capitalize on soaring demand for digital infrastructure, driven by the AI boom, and the deal will bring to SoftBank relationships with more investors keen to deploy money in the data center industry. SoftBank Group Corp. agreed to buy private equity firm DigitalBridge Group Inc. for about $3 billion in cash, part of the Japanese conglomerate's push to invest in data centers and other digital infrastructure fueling the artificial intelligence boom. SoftBank will pay $16 per share for New York-listed DigitalBridge, the companies said in statement Monday, confirming an earlier Bloomberg News report. The offer -- valued at $4 billion including debt -- is a 65% premium to DigitalBridge's closing share price on Dec. 4, the last trading day before talks between the two companies were reported. SoftBank's billionaire founder, Masayoshi Son, aims to capitalize on soaring demand for digital infrastructure, driven by the AI boom. The past year has seen a wave of multibillion-dollar deals in the space, largely focused on data centers and the computing power necessary to build and power the technology. The need for capacity has fueled massive transactions, including BlackRock Inc.'s $40 billion purchase of Aligned Data Centers and Oracle Corp.'s agreement to supply OpenAI with about 4.5 gigawatts of computing power worth as much as $300 billion. DigitalBridge is one of the biggest investment firms focused on digital infrastructure, with about $108 billion of assets under management at the end of September, according to its website. DigitalBridge shares jumped 9.7% to $15.27 at 11:57 a.m. in New York, trading slightly below the sale price. The company disclosed about 189 million diluted shares outstanding and equivalents at the end of the third quarter. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals. The deal will bring to SoftBank relationships with more investors keen to deploy money in the data center industry. DigitalBridge is led by Chief Executive Officer Marc Ganzi and its portfolio includes digital infrastructure operators such as AIMS, AtlasEdge, DataBank, Switch Inc., Vantage Data Centers and Yondr Group. SoftBank has separately been discussing a potential acquisition of Switch, a data center operator backed by investors including DigitalBridge, Bloomberg News reported earlier in December. Switch's owners have sought a valuation of around $50 billion including debt in a deal, people with knowledge of the matter have said. While SoftBank's most famous bets include Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Arm Holdings Plc and WeWork, it has previously done deals in the asset management space. In 2017, it acquired Fortress Investment Group for more than $3 billion. It later sold its stake to a group including Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co. and Fortress management in a deal completed in 2024. In January, SoftBank announced the $500 billion Stargate project, alongside OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi's MGX, to build data centers in the US. While Son pledged to deploy $100 billion "immediately," the rollout of Stargate has been slower than planned, in part because of disagreements over where the data centers should be located. SoftBank initially sought project financing from outside investors including insurance companies, pension funds and investment funds. Some of the conversations dragged due to market volatility, uncertainty around US trade policy and questions about the financial valuations of AI hardware, Bloomberg News reported in May. SoftBank's newest investment push has meant moving some funds around to free up capital. Son this month said he "was crying" over his need to sell a $5.8 billion Nvidia Corp. stake to reallocate the money to other AI spending.

SoftBank to Buy Data Center Firm DigitalBridge for $4 Billion

SoftBank's billionaire founder, Masayoshi Son, aims to capitalize on soaring demand for digital infrastructure, driven by the AI boom, and the deal will bring to SoftBank relationships with more investors keen to deploy money in the data center industry. SoftBank Group Corp. agreed to buy private equity firm DigitalBridge Group Inc. for about $3 billion in cash, part of the Japanese conglomerate's push to invest in data centers and other digital infrastructure fueling the artificial intelligence boom. SoftBank will pay $16 per share for New York-listed DigitalBridge, the companies said in statement Monday, confirming an earlier Bloomberg News report. The offer -- valued at $4 billion including debt -- is a 65% premium to DigitalBridge's closing share price on Dec. 4, the last trading day before talks between the two companies were reported. SoftBank's billionaire founder, Masayoshi Son, aims to capitalize on soaring demand for digital infrastructure, driven by the AI boom. The past year has seen a wave of multibillion-dollar deals in the space, largely focused on data centers and the computing power necessary to build and power the technology. The need for capacity has fueled massive transactions, including BlackRock Inc.'s $40 billion purchase of Aligned Data Centers and Oracle Corp.'s agreement to supply OpenAI with about 4.5 gigawatts of computing power worth as much as $300 billion. DigitalBridge is one of the biggest investment firms focused on digital infrastructure, with about $108 billion of assets under management at the end of September, according to its website. DigitalBridge shares jumped 9.7% to $15.27 at 11:57 a.m. in New York, trading slightly below the sale price. The company disclosed about 189 million diluted shares outstanding and equivalents at the end of the third quarter. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals. The deal will bring to SoftBank relationships with more investors keen to deploy money in the data center industry. DigitalBridge is led by Chief Executive Officer Marc Ganzi and its portfolio includes digital infrastructure operators such as AIMS, AtlasEdge, DataBank, Switch Inc., Vantage Data Centers and Yondr Group. SoftBank has separately been discussing a potential acquisition of Switch, a data center operator backed by investors including DigitalBridge, Bloomberg News reported earlier in December. Switch's owners have sought a valuation of around $50 billion including debt in a deal, people with knowledge of the matter have said. While SoftBank's most famous bets include Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Arm Holdings Plc and WeWork, it has previously done deals in the asset management space. In 2017, it acquired Fortress Investment Group for more than $3 billion. It later sold its stake to a group including Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co. and Fortress management in a deal completed in 2024. In January, SoftBank announced the $500 billion Stargate project, alongside OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi's MGX, to build data centers in the US. While Son pledged to deploy $100 billion "immediately," the rollout of Stargate has been slower than planned, in part because of disagreements over where the data centers should be located. SoftBank initially sought project financing from outside investors including insurance companies, pension funds and investment funds. Some of the conversations dragged due to market volatility, uncertainty around US trade policy and questions about the financial valuations of AI hardware, Bloomberg News reported in May. SoftBank's newest investment push has meant moving some funds around to free up capital. Son this month said he "was crying" over his need to sell a $5.8 billion Nvidia Corp. stake to reallocate the money to other AI spending.

SoftBank Nears Deal for Data Center Investment Firm DigitalBridge

SoftBank Group Corp. is in advanced talks to acquire DigitalBridge Group Inc., a private equity firm that invests in assets such as data centers, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The Japanese conglomerate could announce an agreement as soon as Monday for New York-listed DigitalBridge, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Terms of the transaction, part of SoftBank's campaign to take advantage of an AI-driven boom in digital infrastructure, couldn't be learned. A final agreement hasn't been reached and details, including the timing, could still change, the people said. Representatives for SoftBank and DigitalBridge declined to comment. Shares of DigitalBridge, which had fallen 13% this year before Bloomberg News first reported the talks on Dec. 5, rose 45% that day. The company now has a market value of about $2.5 billion, with an enterprise value of $3.8 billion including debt, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. SoftBank's billionaire founder Masayoshi Son is trying to capitalize on soaring demand for the computing capacity that underpins artificial intelligence applications. DigitalBridge, led by Chief Executive Officer Marc Ganzi, had about $108 billion of assets under management at the end of September, according to its website. Its portfolio includes digital infrastructure operators such as AIMS, AtlasEdge, DataBank, Switch, Vantage Data Centers and Yondr Group. SoftBank has previously done deals in the asset management space. In 2017, it acquired Fortress Investment Group for more than $3 billion. It eventually sold its stake to a group including Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co. and Fortress management in a deal completed in 2024. In January, SoftBank announced a $500 billion project called Stargate, alongside OpenAI, Oracle Corp. and Abu Dhabi's MGX, to build data centers in the US. While SoftBank's Son pledged to deploy $100 billion "immediately," the rollout of Stargate has been slower than planned, in part because of disagreements over where the data centers should be located. SoftBank initially sought project financing from outside investors including insurance companies, pension funds and investment funds, but some of the conversations slowed due to market volatility, uncertainty around US trade policy and questions about the financial valuations of AI hardware, Bloomberg News reported in May. OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank announced plans in September for five new sites across Texas, New Mexico and Ohio that will eventually have a capacity of 7 gigawatts of power, or as much as some cities. The push by SoftBank has required shifting some funds around to free up capital. Son this month said he "was crying" over his need to sell a $5.8 billion Nvidia Corp. stake to reallocate the money to other AI spending.

SoftBank to acquire DigitalBridge for $4bn in move to deepen ties to AI

Acquisition would further expand SoftBank's investments in artificial intelligence as it tries to center itself in the boom SoftBank Group will acquire digital infrastructure investor DigitalBridge Group in a deal valued at $4bn, the companies said on Monday, as the Japanese investment firm looks to deepen its AI-related portfolio. The acquisition would expand SoftBank's exposure to digital infrastructure as the Japanese conglomerate is positioning its portfolio to focus on artificial intelligence. SoftBank's billionaire founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to capitalize on surging demand for the computing capacity that underpins artificial intelligence applications. DigitalBridge invests in digital infrastructure sectors such as datacenters, cell towers, fiber networks, small-cell systems and edge infrastructure, with a portfolio including companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch and AtlasEdge. Founded in 1991 as real estate-focused Colony Capital, the firm pivoted under CEO Marc Ganzi into digital infrastructure and rebranded as DigitalBridge in 2021 after shedding most of its legacy property assets. Ganzi will continue leading DigitalBridge as a separately managed platform, the companies said. As of 30 September, DigitalBridge managed around $108bn in assets, making it one of the largest dedicated investors in the digital ecosystem. SoftBank has ramped up investment in AI as it seeks to position itself at the center of what Son has called a once-in-a-generation technological shift. The company, along with OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based tech investor MGX, is investing billions of dollars in the Stargate project, a large-scale computing and infrastructure initiative aimed at supporting advanced AI development. OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank said in September they plan to build five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico and Ohio, which are expected to have a combined power capacity of about 7GW when in operation.

Softbank Buys DigitalBridge for $4 Bn to tap Data Centre Infrastructure

SoftBank intends to capitalise on the surge in digital infrastructure driven by AI advancements. Japan's SoftBank Group has reached a definitive agreement to acquire DigitalBridge, a digital infrastructure investment firm, for an enterprise value of around $4 billion. This acquisition is part of the Japanese conglomerate's strategy to capitalise on the surge in data centre infrastructure driven by AI advancements. According to the company, the acquisition will enhance SoftBank Group's capacity to construct, scale, and finance the essential infrastructure needed for future AI services and applications. "As AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power, and scalable infrastructure," said Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, in a statement. "This acquisition will strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centres, advance our vision to become a leading ASI platform provider, and help unlock breakthroughs that move humanity forward." SoftBank Group will acquire all outstanding common stock of DigitalBridge for $16 per share in cash. This transaction, recommended unanimously by a special committee of independent directors and approved by DigitalBridge's board, represents a 15% premium over the December 26, 2025, closing share price and a 50% premium over the unaffected 52-week average as of December 4, 2025. After the deal, DigitalBridge will operate as a separate entity led by CEO Marc Ganzi. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the second half of 2026. "The buildout of AI infrastructure represents one of the most significant investment opportunities of our generation," said Marc Ganzi, CEO of DigitalBridge. "SoftBank shares our DNA as builders and long-term investors committed to scaling transformational digital infrastructure.

SoftBank to acquire AI infrastructure investor DigitalBridge for $4B - SiliconANGLE

SoftBank to acquire AI infrastructure investor DigitalBridge for $4B SoftBank Group Corp. has inked a $4.04 billion deal to buy DigitalBridge Group Inc., a private equity firm that invests in technology businesses. The companies announced the all-cash transaction on Monday a few hours after insiders leaked the news to Bloomberg. SoftBank is paying $16 per share for DigitalBridge, a 16% premium to the firm's last unaffected stock price. NYSE-listed DigitalBridge has about $108 billion in assets under management. One of its portfolio companies is Vantage Data Centers Management Company LLC, a data center builder that is helping OpenAI Group PBC construct a $15-billion-plus Starlink campus in Wisconsin. The site is expected to host four artificial intelligence data centers with a combined computing capacity of nearly 1 gigawatt. Vantage is working on an even larger AI campus in Texas. The site, which is known as Frontier, has a construction budget of over $25 billion. It's set to host 10 data centers optimized to host liquid-cooled graphics card servers. Vantage is building Frontier and OpenAI's Wisconsin site in parallel with more than a dozen other facilities worldwide. DigitalBridge also has a stake in another data center operator, AtlasEdge Ltd., that has a narrower focus. The London-based company builds edge data centers, relatively smaller server clusters that are located closer to users than standard cloud facilities. That proximity reduces network traffic travel times, which is important for certain latency-sensitive applications. Beyond the data center market, DigitalBridge has invested in more than a dozen network infrastructure companies. Several of them specialize in building cell towers for internet providers. There's also Boingo Wireless Inc., which operates small-scale wireless networks at locations such as airports. The acquisition will buy SoftBank not only DigitalBridge's portfolio of companies but also a technology infrastructure lending business. DigitalBridge Credit, as the unit is known, provides loans for projects such as data center construction initiatives. Additionally, the investment firm has a venture capital arm that backs startups in the data center market and adjacent verticals such as cybersecurity. "DigitalBridge is a leader in digital infrastructure, and this acquisition will strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centers, advance our vision to become a leading ASI platform provider, and help unlock breakthroughs that move humanity forward," said SoftBank Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son. Private equity firms such as DigitalBridge often have a say in the business decisions of their portfolio companies. Following the deal, SoftBank could potentially leverage that operational involvement to boost its other businesses. The Japanese tech giant has a subsidiary called SB Energy that develops renewable energy installations in the U.S. In theory, the data center operators backed by DigitalBridge could buy electricity from SB Energy to power their future facilities. Additionally, they could expand their use of chips based on designs from Arm Holdings plc, in which SoftBank has a majority stake. The company expects to complete the acquisition in the second half of 2026. DigitalBridge CEO Marc Ganzi will remain at the helm of the investment firm after the transaction closes.

SoftBank acquires DigitalBridge for $4B in all cash deal

Japan's SoftBank agreed on Monday to acquire data center investment firm DigitalBridge for $4 billion, purchasing all outstanding common stock at $16 per share in cash, a 15% premium to DigitalBridge's December 26 closing share price, after unanimous approval by a special committee of DigitalBridge's board, with closure expected in the second half of next year, according to CNBC. The transaction forms part of SoftBank's artificial-intelligence initiatives. SoftBank CEO and Chairman Masayoshi Son stated that the acquisition will strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centers and advance the company's vision of becoming a leading Artificial Super Intelligence platform provider. In his statement, Son added, "As AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power, and scalable infrastructure." DigitalBridge shares rose about 10% following the announcement. The stock had previously climbed as much as 50% after a Bloomberg report indicated that a deal could be imminent. This agreement occurs during a global increase in demand for infrastructure supporting AI applications. DigitalBridge CEO Marc Ganzi described the build-out of AI infrastructure as one of the most significant investment opportunities of the generation. He stated that SoftBank's vision, capital strength, and global network will allow DigitalBridge to accelerate its mission with greater flexibility, invest with a longer-term horizon on behalf of investors, and better serve leading technology companies scaling their AI ambitions. SoftBank recently sold its entire stake in U.S. chipmaker Nvidia for $5.83 billion. The proceeds free capital for an investment in OpenAI. DigitalBridge positions itself as a unique digital infrastructure business. As of the end of September, the firm reported roughly $108 billion in assets under management, according to its website.

SoftBank to buy DigitalBridge in $4 billion deal to bolster AI infrastructure push

SoftBank Group is acquiring DigitalBridge Group for $4 billion. This deal will boost SoftBank's focus on artificial intelligence. DigitalBridge is a major investor in digital infrastructure like data centers and cell towers. The acquisition is expected to conclude in the latter half of next year. SoftBank aims to leverage the growing demand for AI computing power. SoftBank ⁠Group will acquire digital infrastructure investor DigitalBridge Group in a deal valued at $4 billion, the companies said on Monday, as the Japanese investment firm looks to deepen its AI-related portfolio. The acquisition would expand SoftBank's exposure to digital infrastructure as the Japanese conglomerate is positioning its portfolio to focus on artificial intelligence. DigitalBridge shares rose about 9.8% to $15.30 on Monday, following a 45% rise earlier this month after Bloomberg News first reported the acquisition talks. The $16 per share offer represents a 15% premium over DigitalBridge's closing price on Friday and values the company at $2.92 billion, with the deal expected to close in the second half of next year. SoftBank's billionaire founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to capitalize on surging demand for the computing capacity that underpins artificial intelligence applications. DigitalBridge invests in digital infrastructure sectors such as data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, small-cell systems and edge infrastructure, with a portfolio including companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch and AtlasEdge. Founded in 1991 as real estate-focused Colony Capital, the firm pivoted under CEO Marc Ganzi into digital infrastructure and rebranded as DigitalBridge in 2021 after shedding most of its legacy property assets. Ganzi will continue leading DigitalBridge as a separately managed platform, the companies said. As of September 30, DigitalBridge managed around $108 billion in assets, making it one of the largest dedicated investors in the digital ecosystem. SoftBank has ramped up investment in AI as it seeks to position itself ⁠at the center of ⁠what Masayoshi Son has called a once-in-a-generation technological shift. The company, along with OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based tech investor MGX, is investing billions of dollars in the Stargate project, a large-scale computing and infrastructure initiative aimed at supporting advanced AI development. OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank said in September they plan to build five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico and Ohio, which are expected to have a combined power capacity of about seven gigawatts when in operation.

SoftBank buys data center investment firm DigitalBridge

SoftBank Group agreed to buy private equity firm DigitalBridge Group for about $3 billion in cash, part of the Japanese conglomerate's push to invest in data centers and other digital infrastructure fueling the artificial intelligence boom. SoftBank will pay $16 per share for New York-listed DigitalBridge, the companies said in statement Monday, confirming an earlier Bloomberg News report. The offer -- valued at $4 billion, including debt -- is a 65% premium to DigitalBridge's closing share price on Dec. 4, the last trading day before talks between the two companies were reported. SoftBank's billionaire founder Masayoshi Son aims to capitalize on soaring demand for digital infrastructure, driven by the AI boom. The past year has seen a wave of multibillion-dollar deals in the space, largely focused on data centers and the computing power necessary to build and power the technology.

SoftBank Buys DigitalBridge In $4 Billion AI Infrastructure Play - DigitalBridge Gr (NYSE:DBRG), SoftBank Group (OTC:SFTBF), SoftBank Group (OTC:SFTBY)

SoftBank Group Corp. (OTC:SFTBF) (OTC:SFTBY) said Monday it has agreed to acquire DigitalBridge Group Inc. (NYSE:DBRG) in a cash deal valued at about $4 billion, marking a significant step in its push to scale global infrastructure for artificial intelligence. Under the definitive agreement, SoftBank will acquire all outstanding shares of DigitalBridge for $16.00 per share in cash. The transaction gives DigitalBridge an enterprise value of approximately $4.0 billion. DigitalBridge is a global alternative asset manager focused on digital infrastructure, including data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, and edge infrastructure. Also Read: DigitalBridge Smashes 52-Week High On SoftBank Takeover Buzz Strategic Rationale SoftBank stated that the acquisition supports its long-term mission to advance Artificial Super Intelligence, or ASI, by strengthening the physical infrastructure required to train and deploy AI models at scale. "As AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power, and scalable infrastructure," said Masayoshi Son, chairman and chief executive officer of SoftBank Group Corp. "DigitalBridge is a leader in digital infrastructure, and this acquisition will strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centers." DigitalBridge CEO Marc Ganzi said the deal aligns the company with a long-term investor that shares its focus on building and scaling critical digital assets. "Their vision, capital strength, and global network will allow us to accelerate our mission," Ganzi said. Transaction Details The offer represents a 15% premium to DigitalBridge's closing price on Dec. 26, 2025, and a 50% premium to its unaffected 52-week average closing price as of Dec. 4, 2025. DigitalBridge's board unanimously approved the transaction following a recommendation from a special committee of independent directors. What's Next Following its expected closing in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separately managed platform led by Ganzi. SoftBank stated that the deal will enhance its ability to finance and scale AI-focused digital infrastructure globally. DBRG Price Action: DigitalBridge shares were up 9.77% at $15.28 at the time of publication on Monday. The stock is trading near its 52-week high of $15.55, according to Benzinga Pro data. Read Next: Palantir's AI Story Hooks Retail Investors, Stock Explodes 157% Image via Shutterstock DBRGDigitalBridge Group Inc$15.299.81%OverviewSFTBFSoftBank Group Corp$28.08-75.3%SFTBYSoftBank Group Corp$57.100.60%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

SoftBank to buy DigitalBridge in US$4 billion deal to bolster AI infrastructure push

SoftBank Group will acquire digital infrastructure investor DigitalBridge Group in a deal valued at US$4 billion, the companies said on Monday, as the Japanese investment firm looks to deepen its AI-related portfolio. The acquisition would expand SoftBank's exposure to digital infrastructure as the Japanese conglomerate is positioning its portfolio to focus on artificial intelligence. DigitalBridge shares rose about 10 per cent to $15.27 in premarket trading, following a 45 per cent rise earlier this month after Bloomberg News first reported the acquisition talks. The $16 per share offer represents a 15 per cent premium over DigitalBridge's closing price on Friday and values the company at $2.92 billion, with the deal expected to close in the second half of next year. SoftBank's billionaire founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to capitalize on surging demand for the computing capacity that underpins artificial intelligence applications. DigitalBridge invests in digital infrastructure sectors such as data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, small-cell systems and edge infrastructure, with a portfolio including companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch and AtlasEdge. Founded in 1991 as real estate-focused Colony Capital, the firm pivoted under CEO Marc Ganzi into digital infrastructure and rebranded as DigitalBridge in 2021 after shedding most of its legacy property assets. Ganzi will continue leading DigitalBridge as a separately managed platform, the companies said. As of Sept. 30, DigitalBridge managed around $108 billion in assets, making it one of the largest dedicated investors in the digital ecosystem. SoftBank has ramped up investment in AI as it seeks to position itself at the center of what Masayoshi Son has called a once-in-a-generation technological shift. The company, along with OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based tech investor MGX, is investing billions of dollars in the Stargate project, a large-scale computing and infrastructure initiative aimed at supporting advanced AI development. OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank said in September they plan to build five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico and Ohio, which are expected to have a combined power capacity of about seven gigawatts when in operation.

SoftBank Group to Buy Data Center Investment Firm DigitalBridge for $4 Billion -- Update

SoftBank Group agreed to buy DigitalBridge Group for $4 billion, including debt, part of the Japanese conglomerate's strategy to take advantage of an AI-driven boom in digital infrastructure. Under the terms of the deal, SoftBank will purchase all of DigitalBridge's outstanding shares for $16 apiece. The price represents a 15% premium to DigitalBridge's closing share price Friday, and a 50% premium to its unaffected 52-week average closing price as of Dec. 4, the companies said Monday. Shares of DigitalBridge jumped 9.8%, to $15.28, in premarket trading Monday. Through Friday's close, the stock is up almost 25% over the past year. SoftBank said the buy will strengthen its ability to build, scale and finance the foundational infrastructure needed for next-generation AI services and applications, advancing its mission to become a leading artificial super intelligence provider. Bloomberg reported earlier Monday that the companies were nearing a deal. Based in Boca Raton, Fla., DigitalBridge is an asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure including data centers, cell towers, fiber networks and edge infrastructure. After the deal closes, expected in the second half of 2026, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separately managed platform, led by Marc Ganzi, the companies said. Ganzi said SoftBank shares DigitalBridge's mission. "Their vision, capital strength and global network will allow us to accelerate our mission with greater flexibility, invest with a longer-term horizon on behalf of our investors, and better serve the world's leading technology companies as they scale their AI ambitions," he said.