**SoftBank’s Ampere Acquisition Faces US Regulatory Scrutiny**
**Meta Description:** SoftBank’s $6.5 billion acquisition of Ampere Computing is under investigation by the FTC, potentially delaying the deal as regulatory scrutiny intensifies.
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**SoftBank’s Ampere Acquisition Faces US Regulatory Scrutiny**
SoftBank Group Corp.’s acquisition of semiconductor designer Ampere Computing LLC is encountering a significant regulatory hurdle as the U.S. government initiates a detailed investigation. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an in-depth review of the $6.5 billion deal, formally known as a second request for information, according to sources familiar with the situation who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the inquiry. Such follow-up requests are relatively rare, and investigations can extend for a year or more, often serving as a precursor to potential legal action aimed at blocking the transaction.
The acquisition, announced in March, is part of SoftBank’s strategy to enhance its artificial intelligence infrastructure capabilities. Ampere specializes in manufacturing server processors, which are critical components for data center operations. Notably, SoftBank already holds a majority stake in Arm Holdings Plc, a company whose technology is widely utilized across the electronics sector and increasingly in server chip development. Ampere is a customer that licenses Arm’s core technology.
When the acquisition was first revealed, SoftBank and Arm expressed their intention to finalize the deal in the latter half of 2025, with plans for Ampere to function as a wholly owned subsidiary, maintaining its name and headquarters in Santa Clara, California.
This is not the first time SoftBank and Arm have faced antitrust scrutiny. In 2020, SoftBank’s proposal to sell Arm to Nvidia Corp. was investigated globally and ultimately abandoned following challenges in both the U.S. and the U.K. Additionally, Arm is currently involved in a global licensing dispute with Qualcomm Inc., which has filed antitrust complaints with various regulatory bodies, including the FTC and the European Commission, alleging that Arm is stifling competition by limiting access to its technology after previously operating an open network for over two decades.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for SoftBank’s acquisition strategy and the broader semiconductor market remain to be seen.
**FAQ**
**What is the current status of SoftBank’s acquisition of Ampere Computing?**
The acquisition is under investigation by the FTC, which has initiated a detailed review that could delay the deal’s completion.
