SoftBank in talks to buy DigitalBridge to boost data-centre and AI infrastructure
SoftBank Group is negotiating to acquire DigitalBridge Group, an alternative asset manager focused on digital infrastructure such as data centres and telecom towers. The potential deal would expand SoftBank’s holdings in data-centre and telecom infrastructure and strengthen its position in AI-focused facilities in Asia; DigitalBridge recently partnered with KT to develop next-generation AI data centres in South Korea. DigitalBridge has been streamlining assets, including selling Digita Group to GI Partners, while SoftBank has been actively investing in data-centre operators and related tech and telecom assets. The move fits a wider industry trend of consolidation as demand for large-scale data-centre capacity and AI infrastructure grows.
Neutral
The reported acquisition talks are primarily a corporate infrastructure play rather than a direct cryptocurrency development, so direct market-moving effects on crypto prices are limited. SoftBank expanding into data centres and AI infrastructure can be positive for blockchain and AI-related infrastructure projects over the longer term by increasing capacity and investment appetite, which is mildly bullish for tokens tied to infrastructure or on-chain compute in the long run. In the short term, markets are unlikely to react strongly since the news concerns institutional consolidation, not immediate changes to crypto protocols, regulation, or token supply. Comparable precedents—large-cap investors buying data-centre assets—have supported broader tech and infrastructure equities but produced muted, sector-specific effects in crypto markets. Therefore the impact is assessed as neutral: potential long-term constructive implications for crypto infrastructure exposure, but little short-term price catalyst.