In a major strategic move to cement its position in the artificial intelligence revolution, Japan's SoftBank Group has announced a definitive agreement to acquire digital infrastructure investor DigitalBridge Group, Inc. The deal, valued at approximately $4 billion, underscores SoftBank's aggressive pivot towards owning the physical assets that power AI applications worldwide.
A Strategic Bet on AI's Backbone
The acquisition, confirmed by both companies on Monday, is a direct play on the exploding demand for computing capacity. SoftBank's billionaire founder, Masayoshi Son, has been vocal about his vision to position the conglomerate at the forefront of the AI era. By bringing DigitalBridge into its fold, SoftBank significantly expands its exposure to critical digital infrastructure sectors like data centers, fiber networks, and edge computing.
Under the terms of the agreement, SoftBank will pay $16 per share for DigitalBridge. This price represents a 15% premium over the company's closing share price on the Friday before the announcement and values DigitalBridge at around $2.92 billion. The transaction is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2026.
Who is DigitalBridge?
DigitalBridge is not a newcomer to infrastructure investing. Originally founded in 1991 as Colony Capital, a real estate-focused firm, it underwent a dramatic transformation under CEO Marc Ganzi. Shedding most of its traditional property assets, the company rebranded to DigitalBridge in 2021 to fully reflect its new focus.
Today, it is a powerhouse in digital infrastructure, managing a staggering $108 billion in assets as of September 30. Its portfolio includes high-profile companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge, which operate across data centers, cell towers, and fiber networks.
Notably, DigitalBridge is a key player in the ambitious Stargate project, a multi-billion-dollar initiative with partners including OpenAI, Oracle, and Abu Dhabi's MGX. This project aims to build large-scale computing infrastructure to support next-generation AI development.
Market Reaction and Industry Implications
The market responded positively to the news. DigitalBridge's shares jumped 9.7% to $15.27 following the official announcement. This surge came on the heels of a 45% increase earlier in the month when Bloomberg News first reported the acquisition talks.
Industry experts see the move as significant. Jacob Yahiayan, CEO of DigitalBridge investor Urban Logistic Advisory Services, called it "a milestone in solving critical infrastructure issues." However, he tempered expectations by noting that even with this acquisition, SoftBank remains far from controlling 10% of the global hardware- and software-as-a-service market.
The deal also aligns with other recent SoftBank initiatives. In September, SoftBank, alongside OpenAI and Oracle, revealed plans to build five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio. These sites are projected to have a combined power capacity of about seven gigawatts, highlighting the immense energy requirements of future AI infrastructure.
Following the acquisition, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separately managed platform, with Marc Ganzi remaining at its helm. This structure suggests SoftBank aims to leverage DigitalBridge's expertise and established network while integrating its assets into a broader AI-centric strategy.
