SoftBank's Strategic Move into AI Infrastructure: Why DigitalBridge is a Game-Changer

The AI revolution is no longer a distant promise-it's here, and it's hungry. Artificial intelligence demands infrastructure at a scale the world has never seen before: data centers, fiber networks, and power entitlements that can support exabytes of data and trillions of computations. Enter SoftBank, a company that's long bet on the future of technology, now making a bold move to secure its place in the AI era by acquiring DigitalBridge, a digital infrastructure giant. This isn't just a deal-it's a calculated, time-sensitive play to dominate the next decade of tech.

The Strategic Rationale: Power, Presence, and Partnerships

DigitalBridge's appeal lies in its ability to solve AI's most pressing bottleneck: energy. The company controls 20.9 gigawatts of power entitlements-a rare asset in an industry where securing energy can take years. For context, that's enough power to run 17 million homes. SoftBank, by acquiring DigitalBridge, gains immediate access to this "power bank," enabling it to deploy AI-ready infrastructure at a speed no competitor can match according to reports.

But power alone isn't enough. DigitalBridge's portfolio includes $108 billion in assets under management, spanning hyperscale data centers, fiber networks, and cellular towers according to market analysis. These assets are already leased to AI leaders like Oracle and OpenAI, with long-term contracts that provide stable cash flows and strategic partnerships as per financial data. For example, the Lighthouse Campus in Wisconsin and the Frontier Campus in Texas-both backed by DigitalBridge-are critical to OpenAI's Stargate project, a $500 billion initiative to build data center capacity for AI according to industry reports.

SoftBank's move also expands its global footprint. DigitalBridge has a strong presence in Latin America, including Brazil's Scala Data Centers and Highline do Brasil as reported in regional analysis. This positions SoftBank to tap into emerging markets where AI adoption is accelerating, diversifying its revenue streams beyond its traditional fintech investments.

Financial Fundamentals: Growth, Liquidity, and Long-Term Value

DigitalBridge isn't just a collection of assets-it's a high-growth business. In Q3 2025, the company leased a record 2.6 gigawatts of data center capacity, capturing one-third of the U.S. hyperscale leasing market. This surge in demand is reflected in its financials: Fee-Related Earnings (FRE) grew 43% year-over-year, and the company recently closed a $11.7 billion fund, signaling strong investor confidence according to financial reports.

SoftBank's acquisition of DigitalBridge aligns with broader market projections. According to McKinsey, AI-linked infrastructure could reach $6.7 trillion by 2030. By securing DigitalBridge's assets, SoftBank is not just buying infrastructure-it's buying a stake in that future. The deal also accelerates SoftBank's AI strategy, bypassing the 5–10 years typically required to build data centers and power infrastructure from scratch.

Why This Is a Game-Changer

The acquisition is a masterstroke for several reasons. First, it addresses the energy crisis in AI. As AI models grow more complex, their power demands skyrocket. DigitalBridge's power entitlements give SoftBank a competitive edge, allowing it to outpace rivals like Microsoft and Amazon, which are still battling to secure energy in regions like Texas and Virginia.

Second, it creates network effects. DigitalBridge's fiber networks and data centers are interconnected, forming a backbone that can support not just AI but also 5G, IoT, and cloud services. This ecosystem strengthens SoftBank's position across multiple high-growth sectors.

Finally, it's a time-sensitive play. The AI infrastructure boom is still in its early stages, and the first movers will reap the most rewards. By acquiring DigitalBridge, SoftBank is locking in assets that will become increasingly valuable as AI adoption accelerates.

Conclusion: A Strategic Bet on the Future

SoftBank's acquisition of DigitalBridge isn't just about buying data centers-it's about securing the infrastructure that will power the next era of technology. With its power entitlements, global reach, and existing AI partnerships, DigitalBridge is a rare asset that aligns perfectly with SoftBank's long-term vision. As the AI race intensifies, this move positions SoftBank to not just participate in the future but to shape it.

For investors, the message is clear: infrastructure is the new oil, and SoftBank is buying the well.