Google's planned $32 billion acquisition of cloud security firm Wiz has cleared its U.S. antitrust review, a crucial step for the tech giant’s largest-ever purchase. The approval, confirmed by Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport, moves the deal closer to its expected 2026 closing date.
Not done yet: Rappaport cautioned that the deal still faces review from international regulators, including in the UK, EU, and Japan, before it can be finalized.
Second time's the charm: The approval marks a successful second attempt for Google. Its first bid failed in 2024 after Wiz turned down a $23 billion offer, with its CEO aiming for an IPO that never materialized.
A costly courtship: The deal will integrate Wiz into Google's Cloud division to better compete with rivals AWS and Microsoft. The DOJ’s probe was first reported by Bloomberg in June, and if other regulators block the purchase, Google has a reported $3.2 billion breakup fee on the line.
For Google, the hefty price tag is a bet that owning Wiz's multi-cloud security platform will give its cloud business a much-needed competitive edge in its race against the market leaders. While the Wiz deal moves forward, Google is still facing other regulatory headaches, and the acquisition is just one move in the broader cloud market wars. The deal also brings a company with a scrappy, competitive past into the fold.
