SoftBank Agrees to Acquire DigitalBridge in $4 Billion Bet on AI Infrastructure

SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire U.S.-based digital infrastructure investor DigitalBridge Group in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $4 billion, marking a major step in the SoftBank DigitalBridge acquisition and the Japanese conglomerate’s expanding push into artificial intelligence infrastructure. The agreement follows reports that SoftBank had been in advanced talks to buy the firm, news that triggered a sharp rally in DigitalBridge shares earlier this week.

DigitalBridge, headquartered in Florida, is a major player in digital infrastructure investments, with exposure across data centers, fiber networks, cell towers, and edge computing platforms. These assets form the backbone of modern cloud and AI systems, making the company a strategic fit for SoftBank’s long-term vision of supporting large-scale, compute-intensive technologies.

Market reaction to the initial reports was swift, with DigitalBridge shares jumping sharply as investors priced in a potential takeover premium. The confirmed deal solidified that optimism, reinforcing confidence in the growing value of digital infrastructure as demand for AI-driven services continues to accelerate globally.

Deal Terms and Strategic Rationale

Under the terms of the agreement, SoftBank will acquire all outstanding shares of DigitalBridge for $16 per share in cash, representing a premium over the company’s recent trading levels before takeover speculation emerged. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Following completion of the SoftBank DigitalBridge acquisition, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separately managed subsidiary, with its existing leadership team remaining in place. This structure is designed to preserve the firm’s investment expertise while allowing SoftBank to integrate DigitalBridge’s platform into its broader global strategy.

SoftBank founder and chief executive Masayoshi Son has repeatedly emphasized that artificial intelligence will define the next era of technological growth. By acquiring DigitalBridge, SoftBank gains direct access to critical infrastructure needed to power AI models, cloud platforms, and data-intensive applications. The deal aligns with SoftBank’s recent focus on owning and controlling foundational assets rather than relying solely on software or consumer-facing technology investments.

Broader Market Impact and Outlook

The acquisition underscores a broader shift among global technology investors toward physical infrastructure that enables AI at scale. As competition intensifies among tech giants to build and deploy advanced AI systems, demand for data centers, high-speed connectivity, and edge computing facilities has surged.

Industry analysts view the SoftBank DigitalBridge acquisition as a strategic move that positions SoftBank more directly in the AI supply chain, reducing reliance on third-party infrastructure providers and improving long-term cost efficiency. It also highlights the increasing consolidation within the digital infrastructure sector, as large capital providers seek scale and long-duration assets.

For DigitalBridge, the transaction provides financial certainty and the backing of one of the world’s most influential technology investors. For SoftBank, the SoftBank DigitalBridge acquisition represents another high-conviction bet that the future of AI will be shaped not just by algorithms and software, but by the physical networks and facilities that support them.

As the deal progresses toward completion, investors will be watching closely to see how DigitalBridge’s assets are leveraged within SoftBank’s wider AI ecosystem and whether the acquisition delivers the scale and strategic advantage SoftBank is aiming to secure in the rapidly evolving global technology landscape.