What is IBM reportedly planning to acquire?

IBM is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire the data-infrastructure company Confluent.

Why is IBM interested in Confluent?

IBM aims to boost its cloud services and capture growing demand for AI, leveraging Confluent's real-time data processing capabilities.

What does Confluent do?

Confluent operates an open-source platform used for processing massive streams of real-time data.

Home / Business and Economy / IBM Eyes $11B Confluent Deal for Cloud Dominance

IBM Eyes $11B Confluent Deal for Cloud Dominance

8 Dec, 2025

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Summary

IBM is reportedly close to acquiring Confluent for approximately $11 billion.
The deal aims to bolster IBM's cloud services and meet growing AI demand.
Confluent specializes in processing massive streams of real-time data.

IBM Eyes $11B Confluent Deal for Cloud Dominance

IBM is reportedly nearing a significant acquisition, with advanced negotiations underway to purchase data-infrastructure firm Confluent for approximately $11 billion. This potential deal underscores IBM's commitment to expanding its cloud offerings and capitalizing on the surging demand for real-time data processing capabilities.

The acquisition would integrate Confluent's open-source platform, which handles massive streams of real-time data, into IBM's portfolio. This move is crucial as IBM seeks to enhance its cloud services and address the growing needs of businesses developing generative artificial intelligence solutions.

This potential acquisition follows IBM's recent purchase of HashiCorp and mirrors industry trends, such as Salesforce's acquisition of Informatica, highlighting a broader corporate race to secure robust data infrastructure for AI advancement.