SoftBank Buys DigitalBridge for $4 Billion, Eyes AI-Driven Data Center Boom

• SoftBank is acquiring digital infrastructure firm DigitalBridge for $4 billion, aiming to capitalize on the surging demand for data centers fueled by the AI boom.
• The deal represents a 15% premium to DigitalBridge’s closing share price on December 26, causing its shares to jump 9.7% on the news.
• DigitalBridge, a major investment firm in digital infrastructure, manages approximately $108 billion in assets and holds stakes in companies like Switch Inc. and Vantage Data Centers.
• SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son is aggressively investing in AI, having recently sold a $5.8 billion Nvidia stake to fund new ventures, including the $500 billion Stargate project with OpenAI and Oracle.
• The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending necessary regulatory approvals.

Why It Matters: SoftBank's $4B DigitalBridge acquisition underscores its aggressive push into AI-driven digital infrastructure.