SoftBank Group is looking to expand into the alternative assets market. Bloomberg News reported that SoftBank Group Corp could announce a deal to acquire U.S.-based alternative asset manager DigitalBridge Group Inc as soon as Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
DigitalBridge specializes in digital infrastructure investments, including data centers, fiber networks, cell towers, and edge computing assets, making it a key player in the physical backbone of the global digital economy. Following the report, DigitalBridge’s shares surged sharply, reflecting investor expectations of a potential buyout at a premium.
As AI adoption accelerates worldwide, demand for data centers and high-capacity networks has surged, turning digital infrastructure into a strategically important and capital-intensive sector. DigitalBridge’s portfolio aligns closely with these trends, offering exposure to long-term, cash-generating assets that underpin modern connectivity and computing. For SoftBank, the deal would signal a deeper strategic shift toward owning foundational infrastructure rather than purely high-growth technology companies.
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If completed, the acquisition would mark a significant expansion of SoftBank’s presence in the digital infrastructure space and reinforce its ambition to position itself at the center of the AI-driven global economy, though execution risks and market conditions could still influence the outcome.
DigitalBridge shares jumped about 40% in trading before the bell.
DigitalBridge Group Inc. is a U.S.-based alternative asset manager focused on investing in and operating digital infrastructure assets that underpin the modern economy. Unlike traditional asset managers, DigitalBridge combines institutional capital with deep operating expertise, allowing it to actively manage and scale complex infrastructure platforms rather than simply holding passive investments.
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DigitalBridge manages capital on behalf of global institutional investors, including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and insurance companies, seeking long-term, stable returns supported by contractual cash flows. By focusing on essential, hard-to-replace assets, DigitalBridge may position itself at the intersection of technology growth and infrastructure resilience.
Such transactions also highlight the evolving role of alternative asset managers, who are no longer solely passive investors but active participants in shaping the industries in which they operate. By providing both capital and operational expertise, these managers can influence the growth, efficiency, and resilience of essential infrastructure, creating value beyond traditional financial metrics.
At the same time, large-scale acquisitions in complex, fast-changing sectors carry inherent risks. Market fluctuations, regulatory considerations, and the pace of technological change can all affect outcomes. Deals of this nature signal the continued convergence of finance, technology, and infrastructure, with investors increasingly seeking assets that are both strategically significant and financially sustainable in the long term.