- SoftBank confirms a $ 6.5 billion agreement to acquire the Arm Ampere -based chips manufacturer
- The agreement could align amps with the arm and previously acquired Graphcore
- The acquisition could put the arm in direct competition with its chips partners
We previously reported that ARM is considering doing its own silicon, and that the Japanese owner of the British firm, SoftBank, was considering acquiring ampere computing, the only ARM independent server chip supplier, to make this come true.
Ampere, based in Santa Clara, California, and backed by Oracle, designs high -performance and efficient processors in energy optimized for AI and cloud workloads using the computer platform.
A SoftBank acquisition could change the arm of chips designs simply licensed to the manufacture of its own chips, which puts it in direct competition with existing customers and the expansion of the ARM’s footprint in the growing space of the data center.
Complement arm design strengths
Until now, the acquisition had only been a strong rumor, but now it is finally confirmed that SoftBank will buy ampere computing for $ 6.5 billion (approximately ¥ 973.0 billion).
The agreement, announced on March 19, 2025, will make Ampere a subsidiary of absolute property through SoftBank’s investment arm, Silver Bands 6.
SoftBank Group already has a majority participation in ARM, and an affiliated company, Arm Technology Investment Ltd, also has a 8.08% participation in Ampere.
The transaction has already been approved by the Board of Directors of SBG, but as always with these things, it is subject to regulatory approvals, including the antitrust authorization of the United States by the Foreign Investment Committee in the United States (CFIUS).
In a statement, SoftBank said: “Through this strategic alignment after the transaction, the experience of ampere in the development and recording of arms -based chips can be integrated, which complements the design forces of the arms holdings.”
He added that Ampere is expected to collaborate with “group companies, inverse and commercial partners.”
SoftBank said the purchase will be financed through loans from Mizuho Bank and others. The Raine Group works as a financial advisor, with Morrison and Foerster providing legal advisors.
Ampere will continue to operate under its current structure until the agreement is closed, which is expected to be in the second half of 2025.
SoftBank previously acquired the chips designer Graphcore based in the United Kingdom for between $ 400 million and $ 500 million.
That company was once considered a potential rival of Nvidia and AMD, but fell into difficult times after not capitalizing on the AI boom.
It is not too exaggerated to think that SoftBank could integrate amps with ARM and Graphcore to build a more unified the portfolio computation strategy.
