In a bold strategic move that underscores the global race for artificial intelligence dominance, SoftBank has announced a groundbreaking $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge, signaling a major commitment to next-generation digital infrastructure.

The landmark deal, unanimously approved by DigitalBridge's special board committee, will see SoftBank purchase all outstanding common stock at $16 per share - a compelling 15% premium over the company's December 26 closing price. Expected to finalize in the latter half of 2024, this transaction represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing AI technological revolution.

SoftBank's visionary CEO Masayoshi Son emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition, declaring it will "strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centers" and advance the company's ambitious goal of becoming a leading "Artificial Super Intelligence" platform provider. Son highlighted the critical need for expanded computational infrastructure, stating that "as AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power, and scalable infrastructure."

DigitalBridge CEO Marc Ganzi expressed enthusiastic support for the merger, noting that the "buildout of AI infrastructure represents one of the most significant investment opportunities of our generation." He praised SoftBank's "vision, capital strength, and global network" as key factors that will accelerate their mission and enable more flexible, long-term investments serving leading technology companies.

The transaction arrives amid a global surge in AI infrastructure development, with DigitalBridge managing approximately $108 billion in assets as of September. Market reactions were immediately positive, with DigitalBridge's shares jumping nearly 10% following the announcement - having previously climbed as much as 50% when initial deal rumors surfaced.

This strategic purchase follows SoftBank's recent divestment of its entire Nvidia stake for $5.83 billion, a move designed to create financial room for emerging AI investments like its recent OpenAI commitment. The acquisition underscores SoftBank's unwavering commitment to positioning itself at the forefront of technological innovation and AI infrastructure development.