SoftBank to Buy DigitalBridge for $4 Bn in Push to Build AI Data Centre Infrastructure
The transaction was unanimously approved by DigitalBridge’s board and a special committee of independent directors.
Japan’s SoftBank Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DigitalBridge, a digital infrastructure investment firm, in a deal valued at around $4 billion, as the conglomerate steps up its bet on data centre capacity driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence.
SoftBank said the acquisition will strengthen its ability to build, scale and finance the infrastructure required to support next-generation AI services, including data centres, connectivity and power assets. The move aligns with SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son’s broader ambition to position the group as a key platform provider in the emerging AI and artificial super intelligence (ASI) era.
“As AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power, and scalable infrastructure,” said Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group. “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.”
Under the terms of the deal, SoftBank will acquire all outstanding shares of DigitalBridge for $16 per share in cash. The offer represents a 15% premium to DigitalBridge’s closing price on December 26, 2025, and a 50% premium to its unaffected 52-week average share price as of December 4, 2025.
The transaction was unanimously approved by DigitalBridge’s board and a special committee of independent directors.
Following the acquisition, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a standalone entity, led by chief executive Marc Ganzi. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, 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.”
