SoftBank Group shares surged 15% on massive buying interest, capping an aggressive stretch of dealmaking that has repositioned the Japanese giant as a top backer of AI infrastructure.
In February 2026, SoftBank announced a $30 billion follow-on investment in OpenAI through its Vision Fund 2, pushing its stake in the ChatGPT maker to roughly 13%. The first $10 billion tranche closed on April 1, 2026.
To fund this and other capital-intensive plays, SoftBank secured a $40 billion bridge facility in March 2026, giving it the financial runway to write oversized checks without diluting shareholders.
SoftBank is also preparing to launch Roze, an AI and data center venture targeting a $100 billion valuation with an IPO planned this year.
In May 2026, SoftBank sold its stake in Twenty One Capital to Tether, the stablecoin issuer, trimming its crypto exposure.
What to watch: The $40 billion bridge loan is temporary. SoftBank must refinance, raise equity, or generate enough returns from its AI portfolio to pay it down.