SoftBank is nearing a deal to buy DigitalBridge, the US-listed investment firm that specialises in data centres and other digital infrastructure, in a move that would deepen the Japanese group’s push into assets underpinning artificial intelligence.
According to an exclusive report by Bloomberg, the Japanese investment giant is in advanced talks to acquire the business, with an announcement possible later Monday. The terms have not been finalised and could still change.
DigitalBridge has a market value of about $2.5 billion, rising to an enterprise value of roughly $3.8 billion once debt is included. The company manages about $108 billion of assets and owns stakes in a range of data centre operators across the US, Europe and Asia.
The potential deal forms part of Masayoshi Son’s effort to capitalise on booming demand for computing power driven by artificial intelligence. SoftBank has already committed to large-scale data centre projects in the US, although progress has been slower than hoped.
SoftBank has experience in asset management acquisitions, having previously owned Fortress Investment Group before selling its stake last year. Bloomberg reported the talks earlier this month, triggering a sharp rally in DigitalBridge shares.