SoftBank to Acquire DigitalBridge for $4B to Power AI Infrastructure Push

This acquisition reflects a deepening of SoftBank’s strategic pivot towards physical infrastructure underpinning AI. By acquiring DigitalBridge, SoftBank gains direct exposure to a broad portfolio of digital infrastructure—data centres, fibre, towers, and edge networks—which are increasingly seen as constrained resources in the generative AI era. The US$16/share cash offer provides DigitalBridge shareholders a meaningful premium over recent trading, soothing public-market pressure even as the company transitions to private ownership. [2][5][4]

For SoftBank, this deal complements its other recent AI-oriented capital moves: notably its significant investment in OpenAI, participation in the Stargate AI infrastructure initiative, and the sale of its Nvidia shares to free up capital. [2][5][6] Having a platform like DigitalBridge not only strengthens SoftBank’s ability to finance, build, and operate large scale digital infrastructure, but also to leverage recurring fee income from assets under management, diversifying the group’s revenue streams away from volatile investment holdings. [4][6][2]

However, there are risks and open questions. The regulatory environment—especially in the U.S.—could complicate or delay the transaction. National security and foreign investment scrutiny could attach to cross-border control of critical infrastructure assets, particularly those involved in connectivity, edge, or data transit. [6][2] Also, while the premium is substantial relative to the 52-week average, the overall valuation (~US$4 billion enterprise value) is modest relative to DigitalBridge’s US$108 billion AUM, implying slim margins or non-core asset exposures; this raises questions about what SoftBank is prioritizing, and what might be left behind or carved out. [2][4][6]

For investors in both companies, the near price target clearance means limited upside beyond the US$16 offer unless competing bids emerge. For DigitalBridge, going private could allow longer-term planning and capital-heavy build-outs that pay off over several investment cycles; for SoftBank, the integration will test its ability to maintain DigitalBridge’s performance and identity as an independent platform while capturing synergies and managing capital intensity. [4][6]