SoftBank is in talks to acquire DigitalBridge, a prominent digital infrastructure firm specializing in data centers, according to multiple reports citing sources familiar with the matter. The potential deal, first detailed on December 5, 2025, marks a significant move by the Japanese tech giant into the data-center investment space, and DigitalBridge’s shares rose following the news of the acquisition discussions.
Details of the Acquisition Talks
People familiar with the matter say SoftBank has entered discussions to buy digital infrastructure specialist DigitalBridge, signaling that negotiations have advanced far enough for both sides to explore a full takeover structure. One account describes SoftBank as being in talks to acquire the entire DigitalBridge Group, positioning the transaction as a corporate-level deal rather than a narrow asset purchase, and characterizing DigitalBridge explicitly as a data-center investor that manages and develops large-scale digital infrastructure assets for institutional clients. The framing of DigitalBridge as a group-level target suggests that SoftBank is evaluating not only the company’s balance sheet and fee streams but also its management platform and long-term contracts with hyperscale and telecom customers, which would be central to any valuation and integration plan.
Reporting on the negotiations emphasizes that SoftBank is focused on acquiring DigitalBridge Group as a way to gain direct exposure to the data-center and digital infrastructure ecosystem, rather than simply partnering on individual projects. One detailed account of the talks notes that SoftBank is in discussions to buy DigitalBridge Group, describing the firm as a data-center investor with a portfolio that spans data centers and related digital assets, and highlighting that this potential acquisition would fold a specialized infrastructure manager into SoftBank’s broader technology-focused portfolio. Another report, citing people briefed on the matter, states that SoftBank is in talks to buy data-center investor DigitalBridge, underlining that the discussions are centered on the company’s role as a dedicated investor in data-center platforms and related infrastructure, which would give SoftBank a ready-made vehicle for deploying capital into the sector at scale.
SoftBank’s Strategic Push into Digital Infrastructure
SoftBank’s interest in DigitalBridge aligns with its broader strategy of investing in technology and infrastructure assets that underpin cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and high-speed connectivity. One account of the talks notes that SoftBank’s move to buy digital infrastructure firm DigitalBridge fits within a pattern of the Japanese group targeting companies that provide the backbone for data-intensive services, suggesting that the potential acquisition is part of a deliberate push into digital infrastructure rather than an opportunistic trade. By pursuing a specialist platform that already manages data-center and related assets, SoftBank would be able to accelerate its exposure to the physical layer of the internet, complementing its existing investments in software, semiconductors, and telecoms.
Another report on the negotiations frames the discussions as a new development in SoftBank’s expansion into data-center assets, building on prior technology deals and signaling a desire to own more of the infrastructure that supports cloud and AI workloads. That account describes SoftBank as being in talks to buy a data-centre investor, DigitalBridge, and stresses that the potential deal would deepen SoftBank’s presence in the data-center space at a time when demand for capacity is being driven by generative AI, streaming, and enterprise cloud migration. For investors and counterparties, the move indicates that SoftBank is not only backing digital platforms through capital injections but is also seeking to control the underlying infrastructure platforms, which could give it more influence over how and where new capacity is built.
DigitalBridge’s Profile and Market Position
DigitalBridge is described in the reporting as a digital infrastructure firm with a focus on data-center investments, positioning it as a specialist owner and operator of assets that host and transport data for cloud providers, telecom operators, and large enterprises. One detailed account of the company characterizes DigitalBridge as a digital infra firm that concentrates on data centers and related infrastructure, underscoring that its business model revolves around building and managing the physical facilities and networks that support digital services. That focus has made DigitalBridge a natural partner for institutional investors seeking exposure to long-term, contracted cash flows from data infrastructure, and it also makes the company an attractive target for a strategic buyer that wants to scale quickly in the sector.
Another report highlights DigitalBridge’s role as a key player in the data-center space, noting that its position as a data-center investor has drawn interest from major acquirers such as SoftBank. In that account, DigitalBridge Group is described as a data-center investor whose portfolio and expertise have made it a focal point for strategic interest, reflecting the broader market view that digital infrastructure has become a core asset class alongside traditional utilities and transport. For customers and partners that rely on DigitalBridge-managed facilities, a change of control involving SoftBank would raise questions about future investment priorities, geographic expansion, and the pace at which new capacity is brought online to meet surging demand from AI and cloud workloads.
Immediate Market Reaction to the News
News that DigitalBridge was in talks to be acquired by SoftBank triggered an immediate reaction in public markets, with DigitalBridge’s stock price moving higher as investors reassessed the company’s standalone valuation against the potential takeover premium. One market-focused report notes that DigitalBridge was up after the company entered talks to be acquired by SoftBank, indicating that traders quickly priced in the possibility of a strategic buyer paying above the prevailing market price to secure control of the digital infrastructure platform. The share price response reflects expectations that a successful deal would crystallize value for existing shareholders and could also validate higher valuations for comparable digital infrastructure firms.
Another account of the situation underscores that DigitalBridge’s shares rose following the emergence of the acquisition discussions, presenting the move as a sign of investor optimism about the potential SoftBank transaction. That reporting links the positive share movement directly to the news that SoftBank is in talks to buy digital infra firm DigitalBridge, suggesting that the market views SoftBank as a credible buyer with both the financial capacity and strategic rationale to complete a deal. For the broader sector, the rally in DigitalBridge’s stock underscores how strategic interest from large technology investors can quickly re-rate listed infrastructure managers, potentially influencing capital-raising conditions and merger activity across the data-center and digital infrastructure landscape.
What the Potential Deal Signals for the Data-Center Sector
Accounts of the talks collectively portray the potential SoftBank–DigitalBridge transaction as a marker of how central data centers and digital infrastructure have become to global technology investment strategies. One detailed description of the negotiations, which presents SoftBank as being in talks to acquire DigitalBridge Group, indicates that a successful deal would bring a dedicated data-center investor under the umbrella of a large technology-focused holding company, effectively merging financial sponsorship with strategic control over critical infrastructure. That structure would give SoftBank a direct role in shaping where and how new data-center capacity is deployed, at a time when hyperscale cloud providers and AI developers are competing for power, land, and connectivity.
Another report that describes SoftBank as being in talks to buy data-center investor DigitalBridge, citing Bloomberg News, reinforces the idea that the transaction would be closely watched as a bellwether for valuations and deal appetite in the sector. If SoftBank proceeds, the acquisition would signal that large technology investors are willing to pay for established infrastructure platforms rather than building from scratch, which could encourage other infrastructure managers to explore strategic options and could prompt rival bidders to consider counteroffers or alternative deals. For regulators, customers, and investors, the outcome of the talks will help define how concentrated ownership of digital infrastructure becomes, and how much influence a handful of global technology groups will wield over the physical networks that support cloud computing, AI, and digital communications.
