SoftBank’s plan to buy U.S. chip designer Ampere Computing just took a major step toward the finish line. According to a report from Bloomberg, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has closed its antitrust review of SoftBank Group’s proposed $6.5 billion acquisition, removing what was widely seen as the last significant hurdle standing in the way of the deal.
That clearance matters because FTC scrutiny is often the biggest question mark in large technology acquisitions, especially when the transaction touches critical sectors like semiconductors, data centers, and AI infrastructure. With the antitrust review now wrapped up, SoftBank is positioned to move forward with completing the purchase.
The acquisition is a high-profile move by SoftBank as it expands deeper into the AI and computing ecosystem. Ampere is known for designing server-grade processors, a space that has become increasingly strategic as demand surges for cloud computing capacity and AI workloads. For SoftBank, absorbing Ampere would add more semiconductor design capability to its broader technology ambitions, potentially strengthening its ability to compete in an AI-driven market where computing power is a key advantage.
If finalized, the $6.5 billion deal would further underline how valuable chip design companies have become in the race to build the next generation of AI and data center platforms. With regulatory uncertainty reduced, industry watchers will now be looking for the next update: when SoftBank and Ampere officially close the transaction and what SoftBank’s plans are for leveraging Ampere’s chip expertise as part of a larger AI strategy.
