PANews reported on December 29 that SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire private equity firm DigitalBridge Group, valuing the data center investor at $4 billion (including debt). In a statement Monday, the two companies said the Japanese conglomerate will acquire the New York-listed DigitalBridge for $16 per share in cash. The acquisition is part of SoftBank's push to invest in digital infrastructure and fuel the artificial intelligence boom. The companies stated that the deal represents a 15% premium to DigitalBridge's closing price on December 26. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approval .