What data infrastructure company did SoftBank Group agree to acquire for over $4 billion between December 2025 and January 2026?

In a significant move to bolster its digital infrastructure portfolio, SoftBank Group Corp. reached an agreement in late December 2025 and early January 2026 to acquire DigitalBridge Group, Inc. The deal, valued at approximately $4 billion, positions SoftBank to expand its control over critical infrastructure essential for the advancement of artificial intelligence. DigitalBridge is a global alternative asset manager with a strong focus on digital infrastructure, including vital assets like data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, and edge computing systems.

This strategic acquisition aligns with SoftBank Group's overarching mission to realize Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). The company recognizes that achieving this ambitious vision requires not only breakthroughs in AI models but also robust platform infrastructure capable of training, deploying, and serving these models at a global scale. By acquiring DigitalBridge, SoftBank aims to strengthen its capacity to build, scale, and finance the foundational infrastructure needed for next-generation AI services and applications.

The acquisition underscores SoftBank's aggressive strategy to dominate the evolving landscape of AI infrastructure. DigitalBridge's extensive global footprint and deep sector expertise are expected to enhance SoftBank's ability to originate, finance, operate, and scale digital infrastructure opportunities worldwide. Despite the acquisition, DigitalBridge is slated to continue operating as a separately managed platform, maintaining its leadership and specialized investment capabilities, with the transaction expected to formally close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals.