SoftBank Group is nearing a deal to acquire Japanese payment provider SP.LINKS. The transaction values the company at approximately ¥100 billion ($625 million).
SoftBank will purchase an 80% stake from Blackstone and the remaining 20% from Sony Financial Group’s banking unit. The acquisition will make SP.LINKS a wholly-owned subsidiary.
The deal roughly doubles the valuation of SP.LINKS since Blackstone's initial investment in January 2024. This move expands SoftBank's presence in Japan’s growing cashless payments sector. Financial terms remain unfinalized and subject to change.