SoftBank Group has announced a definitive agreement to acquire DigitalBridge Group, a leading global alternative asset manager specializing in digital infrastructure, for approximately $4 billion. The deal, expected to close in the second half of 2026, is a strategic move by SoftBank to strengthen its infrastructure platform and capitalize on the surging demand for computing capacity driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence.
DigitalBridge, led by CEO Marc Ganzi, manages a diversified portfolio of digital infrastructure assets, including data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, and edge facilities, with approximately $108 billion in assets under management as of September 30. The company has a global presence with operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. DigitalBridge's portfolio includes companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge.
Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, emphasized the importance of this acquisition for advancing SoftBank's vision of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). He stated that "As AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power, and scalable infrastructure". Son believes that DigitalBridge's expertise in digital infrastructure will strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centers and help unlock breakthroughs that move humanity forward.
The acquisition reflects the growing recognition of data centers and related infrastructure as critical assets for deploying AI at scale. Training and deploying advanced AI models requires large-scale facilities with high-density compute capabilities, reliable power, and low-latency connectivity across global markets. SoftBank's move aims to address key constraints facing AI infrastructure development, including access to land, power availability, and high-speed connectivity.
Marc Ganzi, CEO of DigitalBridge, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that "The buildout of AI infrastructure represents one of the most significant investment opportunities of our generation". He believes that SoftBank's vision, capital strength, and global network will enable DigitalBridge to accelerate its mission, invest with a longer-term horizon, and better serve the world's leading technology companies as they scale their AI ambitions.
Under the terms of the agreement, SoftBank Group will acquire all outstanding common stock of DigitalBridge for $16.00 per share in cash. The transaction represents a premium of 15% to DigitalBridge's closing share price on December 26, 2025, and a 50% premium to the unaffected 52-week average closing price as of December 4, 2025. After the deal closes, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separately managed platform under the leadership of Marc Ganzi.
This acquisition aligns with SoftBank's broader strategy to invest in AI-related infrastructure. The company, along with OpenAI, Oracle, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, is investing billions of dollars in the Stargate project, a large-scale computing and infrastructure initiative aimed at supporting advanced AI development. This project includes plans to build five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio, with a combined power capacity of approximately 7GW.
SoftBank's acquisition of DigitalBridge signals a deepening push into AI data center assets. By controlling the infrastructure that AI models depend on to run at scale, SoftBank is positioning itself to be a key player in the AI revolution. The company aims to secure critical capacity for AI workloads and strengthen the connectivity layer underpinning AI deployment and operations. This move underscores the growing importance of infrastructure in the AI race, with SoftBank betting that control over infrastructure capacity will be as decisive as advancements in AI models.
