SoftBank Group, the Japanese technology conglomerate, has announced its agreement to acquire DigitalBridge Group, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed digital infrastructure investment manager, in a landmark deal valued at approximately $4 billion.

The transaction, expected to close in the second half of 2026 pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, marks a significant moment for both companies and highlights the increasing strategic importance of digital infrastructure in the race to scale artificial intelligence (AI).

Under the terms disclosed, SoftBank will purchase all outstanding shares of DigitalBridge at $16.00 per share in cash, representing a 15% premium over DigitalBridge’s closing price on 26 December 2025 and a 50% premium over its unaffected 52-week average closing price. The premium signals SoftBank’s keen interest in DigitalBridge’s portfolio and expertise, as global demand for data centres, connectivity, and power infrastructure accelerates alongside AI development.

Despite the acquisition, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separately managed platform, with chief executive Marc Ganzi remaining at the helm. This arrangement aims to maintain the firm’s operational independence while giving it access to SoftBank’s substantial capital base and global network.

For SoftBank, the acquisition aligns with long-term plans laid out by founder and CEO Masayoshi Son. Son has articulated a vision in which SoftBank becomes a central platform provider for what he describes as Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). While much public attention has centred on software breakthroughs and large language models, Son has stressed that future progress in AI will be determined by physical infrastructure: compute capacity, network connectivity, energy availability, and the ability to scale operations globally.

In announcing the deal, Son stated, “As AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power, and scalable infrastructure.” He praised DigitalBridge as a leader in the sector and expressed confidence that its capabilities would help underpin next-generation AI data centres and accelerate SoftBank’s ASI ambitions.

Marc Ganzi, CEO of DigitalBridge, described the transaction as a significant opportunity for his company.

“The buildout of AI infrastructure represents one of the most significant investment opportunities of our generation,” Ganzi said.

He emphasised that SoftBank’s capital strength and global relationships would enable DigitalBridge to pursue its strategy with greater flexibility and a longer investment horizon, benefitting both technology customers and the firm’s own investors.

Ganzi also noted that DigitalBridge has differentiated itself in the infrastructure investment market by focusing on operational expertise rather than purely financial engineering.

From a governance standpoint, the transaction has been carefully structured. A special committee of independent directors at DigitalBridge unanimously recommended the deal, and the full board subsequently approved it.

The all-cash nature of the transaction is intended to reduce financing risk, while the premium offered underscores SoftBank’s strategic interest in securing control of key infrastructure assets. Both companies have stated their commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing service to DigitalBridge’s stakeholders.

As the transaction moves forward, industry observers will be watching closely to see how the integration unfolds, and whether the combined strengths of SoftBank and DigitalBridge can help meet the rising infrastructure demands of the AI era.

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