SoftBank in talks to buy DigitalBridge as it targets AI driven infrastructure

SoftBank is in advanced discussions to acquire DigitalBridge, the US based digital infrastructure specialist, as the Japanese conglomerate looks to expand deeper into the fast growing world of AI focused assets. A source familiar with the talks told Reuters that a deal could be finalised before the end of the year, though both companies have declined to comment publicly.

DigitalBridge, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, manages a diverse portfolio of data centres, fibre networks and cloud infrastructure investments, many of which are tied to the rapid global expansion of artificial intelligence. For SoftBank, which has increasingly shifted its strategy toward AI centred platforms and technologies, the acquisition would represent a significant step in strengthening its position in the digital backbone powering next generation computing.

News of the talks sent DigitalBridge shares soaring by as much as 35 percent on Friday, lifting the stock to a one month high. Despite the surge, the company’s shares had fallen nearly 14 percent earlier in the year, giving it a market value of around 1.8 billion dollars as of the last close. The renewed investor enthusiasm reflects expectations that a SoftBank takeover would inject fresh capital and strategic direction into the firm.

The potential acquisition fits neatly into SoftBank’s broader ambitions. Under CEO Masayoshi Son, the group has spent much of the past decade investing heavily in technology, from chip design to robotics and telecommunications. Recently Son has been vocal about his belief that the AI revolution is entering a new phase, driving unprecedented demand for data processing power and the infrastructure that supports it. DigitalBridge’s asset portfolio aligns directly with that vision, making it an attractive target.

DigitalBridge itself has grown rapidly in recent years, shifting away from traditional real estate investments into what it calls “digital pillars” – towers, data centres and network assets critical to the world’s connectivity. Its investment partners include major institutional players such as BlackRock. Analysts say being absorbed into SoftBank’s ecosystem could accelerate DigitalBridge’s expansion while offering SoftBank greater operational control over the infrastructure underpinning AI platforms.

Still, any acquisition of this scale would require regulatory approvals, particularly given the prominence of data infrastructure in national security discussions. Industry observers will also watch how SoftBank intends to integrate DigitalBridge with its existing ventures, including Arm and various Vision Fund backed companies that depend heavily on cloud and data services.

For now the market is waiting for a formal announcement, but the talks underline two clear trends. First, the digital infrastructure sector is becoming one of the most prized corners of the global economy, with demand rising as AI systems grow more complex. Second, SoftBank, once seen primarily as a tech investment powerhouse, is increasingly positioning itself as a central operator in the architecture of AI itself.

Whether the deal closes this year remains to be seen, but the surge in DigitalBridge’s stock suggests investors believe SoftBank’s ambitions are only getting started.