SoftBank Group is accelerating its global AI strategy with a planned $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge to scale next-generation digital infrastructure, following the completion of its landmark $41 billion investment in OpenAI and reinforcing its ambition to lead the artificial intelligence ecosystem from infrastructure to advanced AI platforms.
SoftBank Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DigitalBridge Group, a leading global alternative asset manager specializing in digital infrastructure, for a total enterprise value of approximately US$4.0 billion. The transaction marks a significant expansion of SoftBank’s global AI infrastructure strategy as the company deepens its commitment to building the physical and digital foundations required for next-generation artificial intelligence.
SoftBank’s mission is to realize Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) for the advancement of humanity. Achieving this vision requires not only breakthroughs in AI models but also massive investment in the underlying infrastructure needed to train, deploy and operate AI at global scale. The planned acquisition of DigitalBridge strengthens SoftBank’s ability to originate, finance and scale critical infrastructure assets – including data centres, fibre networks, cell towers and edge infrastructure—essential to powering AI-driven economies.
“As AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power and scalable infrastructure,” said Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO, SoftBank Group.
“DigitalBridge is a leader in digital infrastructure, and this acquisition will strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centres, advance our vision to become a leading ASI platform provider and help unlock breakthroughs that move humanity forward.”
Marc Ganzi, CEO, DigitalBridge, said the partnership reflects shared long-term ambitions.
“The buildout of AI infrastructure represents one of the most significant investment opportunities of our generation. SoftBank shares our DNA as builders and long-term investors. Their vision, capital strength and global network will allow us to accelerate our mission, invest with a longer-term horizon and better serve the world’s leading technology companies as they scale their AI ambitions,” he said.
With its global footprint and deep sector expertise, DigitalBridge will enhance SoftBank’s ability to secure critical AI capacity at scale while strengthening the connectivity layer underpinning AI deployment and operations worldwide. Following the close of the transaction, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separately managed platform led by Ganzi.
Under the terms of the agreement, SoftBank will indirectly acquire all outstanding common stock of DigitalBridge for US$16.00 per share in cash, representing a 15% premium to its December 26, 2025 closing share price and a 50% premium to the unaffected 52-week average closing price as of December 4, 2025. The transaction has been unanimously approved by DigitalBridge’s independent directors and is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
The acquisition follows SoftBank’s recently completed $41 billion total investment in OpenAI, underscoring the group’s accelerating push to lead the global AI ecosystem across both software and infrastructure layers.
In March 2025, SoftBank committed up to $40 billion to OpenAI, with the final closing completed through SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Combined with an oversubscribed $11.0 billion contribution from third-party investors, the funding round marked one of the largest AI investments in history.
Following completion, SoftBank holds an approximate 11% ownership stake in OpenAI, reinforcing its long-term conviction in AI as a foundational technology with profound economic and societal impact. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has highlighted SoftBank’s early belief, global leadership and scale as key accelerants in the responsible development and deployment of advanced AI technologies.
Together, the DigitalBridge acquisition and OpenAI investment position SoftBank at the center of the global AI transformation – spanning compute infrastructure, connectivity, capital and cutting-edge AI innovation.
