After several months of exploration, SoftBank Group Corp. has stepped back from finalizing a substantial acquisition deal with Switch, a U.S. operator specializing in energy-efficient data centers. The contemplated transaction, reportedly valued near $50 billion, would have granted SoftBank direct control over Switch’s extensive data center network, a move conceived to bolster computing capabilities aligned with Stargate’s objectives to power OpenAI.
Insiders reveal that SoftBank's founder, Masayoshi Son, initially pursued this strategic acquisition to secure infrastructure critical to the rapid growth and operational demands of artificial intelligence workloads. However, plans to announce the deal in January were abandoned, and SoftBank conceded that a complete takeover of Switch will not proceed at this stage.
Although the full acquisition is currently on hold, discussions between SoftBank and Switch have not ceased entirely. Parties remain engaged in exploring possibilities for a smaller-scale investment or partnership agreement that could preserve strategic alignment while mitigating the scale of operational and financial exposure.
Simultaneously, SoftBank recently finalized a $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge Group, a global alternative asset manager that notably holds a stake in Switch, further underscoring SoftBank's intention to fortify its presence within data center and infrastructure investments linked to emerging AI demands.
Several concerns have surfaced internally within SoftBank regarding the proposed $50 billion deal. Executives expressed apprehension about the sizeable financial commitment and the complexities inherent in overseeing data center properties distributed across various metropolitan areas throughout the United States. Adding to this is Switch's own trajectory toward a planned initial public offering by 2026, with backers reportedly valuing the company around $60 billion, which may influence future negotiations and valuation expectations.
This development unfolds against the backdrop of SoftBank’s aggressive repositioning to focus heavily on artificial intelligence technologies. The company notably completed a $40 billion investment in OpenAI, acquiring a stake estimated at over 10% based on a pre-money valuation of approximately $260 billion.
To fund these AI-centric ventures, SoftBank has executed a series of portfolio adjustments including divesting its entire holding in Nvidia Corp., reducing Vision Fund activities, and selling substantial portions of its shares in T-Mobile US. Additionally, capital allocation strategies have been tightened to prioritize investments aligned with AI infrastructure and technology leadership.
Further liquidity initiatives have been lined up to support these strategic priorities. Potential asset sales remain on the table alongside an imminent IPO for PayPay, and the utilization of margin loans secured against SoftBank’s stake in Arm Holdings Plc is also being considered to ensure sufficient resources are available for advancing AI infrastructure projects.
The negotiations with Switch and the broader financial maneuvers reflect a concerted effort by SoftBank to consolidate assets and streamline its balance sheet in pursuit of bolstering its AI capabilities and infrastructure ecosystem. Stakeholders will be closely monitoring how these strategic recalibrations influence SoftBank’s positioning in the fast-evolving AI market in the near future.