SoftBank to Acquire DigitalBridge in $4B Bid for AI Infrastructure Dominance

TOKYO & BOCA RATON, Fla. – December 29, 2025 – SoftBank Group Corp. today announced a definitive agreement to acquire DigitalBridge Group, Inc. for approximately $4.0 billion, a landmark transaction that signals a strategic pivot to owning the physical backbone of the burgeoning artificial intelligence revolution. The deal underscores a growing consensus in the tech world: the future of AI will be built not just on sophisticated algorithms and powerful chips, but on a massive, power-hungry foundation of data centers, fiber networks, and cell towers.

In a move to fulfill its ambitious mission of realizing Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), the Japanese conglomerate will pay $16.00 per share in cash for the Florida-based asset manager. This price represents a significant 50% premium over DigitalBridge's 52-week average stock price as of early December, reflecting the intense competition for critical digital infrastructure assets. The acquisition provides SoftBank with control over a sprawling portfolio of assets essential for training and deploying next-generation AI models at a global scale.

Building the Empire for Superintelligence

For years, SoftBank Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son has articulated a vision of a future dominated by Artificial Super Intelligence, which he predicts could surpass human intellect by a factor of 10,000. This acquisition is the most tangible step yet in his quest to build the platform for that future. While SoftBank's Vision Fund has made high-profile investments in AI software companies and chip designers like Arm, this deal marks a decisive shift toward controlling the underlying hardware and real estate.

“As AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power, and scalable infrastructure,” said Masayoshi Son in the official announcement. “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.”

This strategy positions SoftBank not merely as a venture investor in the AI gold rush, but as a supplier of the picks and shovels. The company is assembling an integrated AI ecosystem, combining its majority stake in chip designer Arm Holdings and its 2025 acquisition of server processor firm Ampere Computing with the vast physical footprint of DigitalBridge. This vertical integration aims to secure the capacity needed for massive AI initiatives, including the reported $500 billion 'Project Stargate'—an ambitious plan involving SoftBank, OpenAI, and others to build a fleet of AI-focused data centers.

By acquiring DigitalBridge, SoftBank gains immediate access to deep operational expertise and a global portfolio that would take years to build organically. It is a move from funding the AI race to building the racetrack itself.

A Pricey Bet on AI's Foundation

The financial terms of the deal have sparked considerable debate on Wall Street. The $16.00 per share offer provided a 15% premium over DigitalBridge's closing price on December 26, the last trading day before the final announcement. The stock had already surged nearly 47% earlier in the month on initial reports of a potential takeover, indicating strong market anticipation. On December 29, shares climbed another 9.7% to close at $15.27 as investors digested the definitive news.

Despite the substantial premium, several analysts suggested the price may undervalue DigitalBridge's strategic importance in an infrastructure-starved market. Prior to the deal's finalization, the consensus analyst price target for the company's stock stood at $18.30, with some investment banks like JPMorgan estimating a potential buyout value closer to $28 per share. One Raymond James analyst, while acknowledging the “strong logic” of the deal, described the valuation as “underwhelming.”

In response, multiple firms, including Truist Securities and RBC Capital Markets, issued downgrades on DigitalBridge stock from 'Buy' to 'Hold' or 'Sector Perform.' These were not a reflection on the company's fundamentals but a technical adjustment, as the stock is now expected to trade near the $16.00 acquisition price until the deal closes, limiting further upside for public investors.

For DigitalBridge, the acquisition offers an opportunity to accelerate its growth with the backing of SoftBank's immense capital reserves and global network. “The buildout of AI infrastructure represents one of the most significant investment opportunities of our generation,” said Marc Ganzi, CEO of DigitalBridge, who will continue to lead the platform under SoftBank's ownership. “Their vision, capital strength, and global network will allow us to accelerate our mission with greater flexibility.”

The Unseen Backbone of the AI Revolution

While headlines often focus on advancements in AI models from companies like OpenAI, the physical constraints of AI are becoming increasingly apparent. Training a single large language model can consume as much electricity as a small city, and the demand for specialized data centers is far outstripping supply. This acquisition shines a spotlight on the critical, yet often overlooked, components of the AI ecosystem.

DigitalBridge is a titan in this space, managing over $108 billion in assets dedicated exclusively to digital infrastructure. Its portfolio is a treasure trove for any aspiring AI powerhouse, featuring a vast network of data centers through platforms like Vantage Data Centers, DataBank, and Switch. Crucially, the company controls a 'power bank' of approximately 22 gigawatts across its owned land and development projects—a critical resource in an energy-constrained world.

This control over land, power, and connectivity is the key strategic prize for SoftBank. Building new data centers is a slow, capital-intensive process fraught with zoning challenges and delays in securing power from utility grids. By acquiring DigitalBridge, SoftBank leapfrogs these hurdles, securing a pipeline of ready-to-develop sites and operational facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Navigating the Path to Completion

The transaction, which was unanimously approved by a special committee of DigitalBridge’s board, is now subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder and regulatory approvals. Given that a Japanese firm is acquiring a major American infrastructure manager, the deal is expected to undergo a rigorous review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to assess any national security implications.

However, industry observers widely expect the deal to ultimately secure clearance. The plan for DigitalBridge to continue operating as a separately managed platform under its existing U.S.-based leadership is seen as a key factor that could mitigate regulatory concerns. The transaction is slated to close in the second half of 2026.

Ultimately, the acquisition is less about a simple corporate takeover and more about a fundamental strategic alignment. It represents the convergence of global finance, technology, and real estate, all coalescing around the singular, transformative power of artificial intelligence. For SoftBank, this $4 billion investment is a down payment on owning a piece of the very ground on which the future of intelligence will be built.