(C) Anadolu Ajanci

SAN FRANCISCO – SoftBank Group, led by billionaire founder Masayoshi Son, has reached an agreement to acquire DigitalBridge Group, a prominent global asset manager specializing in digital infrastructure, for approximately $4 billion.

The move signals a massive bet on the physical foundations required to power the next generation of artificial intelligence.

According to a statement released by DigitalBridge on the 29th (local time), SoftBank will acquire all outstanding shares of the company at $16 per share in an all-cash transaction. The offer represents a 15% premium over DigitalBridge’s closing price on December 26. The acquisition is expected to be finalized in the second half of next year, pending regulatory approvals.

DigitalBridge is a heavyweight in the infrastructure sector, managing a vast portfolio that includes data centers, fiber-optic networks, and wireless cell towers—all of which are essential components for the AI revolution.

Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, emphasized the necessity of this acquisition in realizing his long-term vision. "As AI transforms industries worldwide, the demand for computing power, connectivity, and energy infrastructure is skyrocketing," Son stated. "This acquisition will strengthen our foundation for next-generation AI data centers and accelerate our vision of becoming a leading provider of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) platforms."

The acquisition comes at a time when SoftBank is pivoting its focus almost entirely toward AI-related investments. By integrating DigitalBridge's expertise in infrastructure management with SoftBank's existing tech ecosystem, the group aims to control both the software and the hardware layers of the AI era.

Despite the buyout, SoftBank plans to maintain DigitalBridge’s operational independence. The firm will continue to be led by its current CEO, Marc Ganzi, as a distinct platform within the SoftBank umbrella.

Following the announcement, DigitalBridge’s stock on the New York Stock Exchange saw a significant surge. As of 1:00 PM Eastern Time, shares were trading at approximately $15.28, up more than 9.7% from the previous day's close.