There was a time when getting more IPv4 space meant filling out a form and waiting. Not anymore. The original pool ran dry back in 2011, and every Regional Internet Registry (RIR) keeps a waiting list that, honestly, may never clear. Which means the secondary market is now the only realistic way to get your hands on additional address space. What used to be a handful of ad hoc broker deals has hardened into a real ecosystem: leasing platforms, escrow services, sellers who get verified before they can list anything.<\/p>\n
If you run networks or manage IT budgets, you can’t afford to ignore how these marketplaces price their inventory anymore. Expanding infrastructure? Migrating to the cloud? Keeping legacy systems alive while the IPv6 transition drags on? Either way, the cost of IPv4 space lands directly on your budget line.<\/p>\n
In this article:<\/strong><\/p>\n Say an organization holds more IPv4 space than it actually needs. It can transfer those addresses outright, or lease them out. The RIRs \u2014 ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC, LACNIC, AFRINIC \u2014 make both possible through transfer policies that require documented justification and, often, formal registration of the deal. Two models dominate:<\/p>\n Leasing has taken off for a simple reason: the barrier to entry is low. Instead of paying $40\u2013$60 per address upfront, lessees typically pay $0.10\u2013$0.40 per address per month. Marketplaces aggregate supply from dozens or even hundreds of lessors, so a lessee can shop for the block size, geographic registration, and contract terms that actually fit.<\/p>\n Not all registries price the same. RIPE NCC blocks have historically traded a bit cheaper than ARIN ones \u2014 transfer policy differences play a part, as do looser utilization requirements. APNIC and LACNIC blocks move to their own rhythm, driven by regional demand.<\/p>\n Bigger blocks \u2014 \/16s and \/15s especially \u2014 often fetch a premium per address. They’re scarce, and large ISPs and hosting providers want them. But smaller \/24s can carry a slight per-address premium too, because buyers who need clean, routable units for BGP announcements compete for them.<\/p>\n A block with blacklisting history, spam records, or past abuse? It gets discounted hard, or it simply doesn’t trade. Clean blocks with a clear WHOIS history command top dollar. Here, diligence isn’t optional. I’ve seen deals fall apart late in escrow because someone skipped this step.<\/p>\n In the RIPE region, blocks tied to Legacy Resource Holders, or carrying different annual fee obligations, change the total cost of ownership. Savvy buyers do the math before making an offer.<\/p>\n Hosting, CDN, VPN, and cloud providers remain the biggest demand drivers. When a large acquisition or expansion cycle hits, prices firm up. That said, growth has moderated somewhat in recent years as some enterprises release unused space back into the market.<\/p>\n There’s no single exchange here. Pricing emerges from several players pushing against each other:<\/p>\n This is exactly where reputable IPv4 leasing marketplaces earn their keep: aggregating verified sellers, enforcing escrow, publishing real transaction data. Historically, information asymmetry let intermediaries capture outsized spreads. Better data closes that gap. IP4 Market, for example, offers a trusted platform with verified sellers and competitive pricing, helping buyers and lessors transact at fair market rates.<\/p>\n How much does a \/24 cost to lease?<\/strong> Typically $250\u2013$1,000 per month, depending on region, cleanliness, and contract length. At scale that works out to roughly $0.10\u2013$0.40 per address monthly.<\/p>\n Is IPv4 leasing legal?<\/strong> Yes \u2014 when done through RIR-compliant channels like transfer policies and Listing Services. Contracts should clearly define routing rights and responsibilities.<\/p>\n Will IPv6 adoption collapse IPv4 prices?<\/strong> Not anytime soon. IPv6 keeps growing, sure, but dual-stack requirements keep IPv4 demand strong, and most analysts expect prices to stay elevated for years.<\/p>\n Can leased addresses be announced via BGP?<\/strong> Yes, provided the lease agreement grants routing rights and the listing is properly registered with the relevant RIR.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n IPv4 leasing marketplaces have brought transparency, liquidity, and professionalism to a market that once ran on handshakes and faxed LOAs. Prices still come down to real supply and demand \u2014 RIR region, block size, cleanliness, macro demand from hosting and cloud operators. For buyers, the leasing-versus-buying call comes down to time horizon and capital strategy. For holders, leasing means recurring revenue without permanently giving up a scarce asset. Not a bad position to be in.<\/p>\n Whichever side of the table you’re on, work with partners who offer verified counterparties, proper escrow, and honest market data. Platforms like IP4 Market do exactly that: a trusted marketplace for IPv4 transactions with verified sellers and competitive pricing, so your organization can secure the space it needs without overpaying or taking on unnecessary risk. As the market matures, the participants with clean processes and good information will keep coming out ahead.<\/p>\n\n
How the IPv4 Secondary Market Works<\/h2>\n
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Key Factors That Drive IPv4 Pricing<\/h2>\n
1. RIR Region and Registry<\/h3>\n
2. Block Size<\/h3>\n
3. Reputation and Cleanliness<\/h3>\n
4. MAC (Member and Assignment Charges) Status<\/h3>\n
5. Macro Demand<\/h3>\n
Leasing vs. Buying: Cost Comparison<\/h2>\n
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\n \nFactor<\/th>\n Leasing<\/th>\n Buying<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Upfront cost<\/td>\n Low (monthly fee)<\/td>\n High ($40\u2013$60 per address)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Typical monthly rate<\/td>\n $0.10\u2013$0.40 per address<\/td>\n N\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Contract length<\/td>\n 6\u201336 months typical<\/td>\n Permanent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Asset appreciation<\/td>\n None<\/td>\n Full exposure to market<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Best for<\/td>\n Short-term growth, flexibility<\/td>\n Long-term infrastructure needs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n Who Sets the Price?<\/h2>\n
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Practical Tips for Market Participants<\/h2>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
Conclusion: Navigating the Secondary Market with Confidence<\/h2>\n