SoftBank eyes buying ex-Sony payments firm to boost settlements business

Business dealsJapan telecom carrier looks to bolster out-of-app payments for games, other appsCombined transactions between SP.Links and SoftBank's existing payments subsidiary would likely rival those of the industry leader. (Photo by Kazuho Fujiwara)YUSUKE YAGIJuly 28, 2026 01:14 JSTTOKYO -- Japanese telecommunications carrier SoftBank Corp. is weighing a purchase of major payment services company SP.Links, formerly Sony Payment Services, Nikkei learned Monday.