How to Buy IPv4 Addresses: A Complete Guide

The internet’s rapid expansion has resulted in significant demand for IPv4 addresses worldwide. Although the global supply of these addresses is exhausted, many businesses still rely on IPv4 resources to expand their digital infrastructure, maintain continuity, or scale competitively. As these businesses slowly transition to newer IPv6 address blocks, IPv4 remains relevant, especially for organizations where some or all of the network infrastructure runs on the IPv4 protocol.

When acquiring IPv4 resources, businesses need to understand the buying process, starting with address valuation in the marketplace, transferring address ownership upon purchase, and ultimately integrating these addresses into existing networks. The IPv4 marketplace is competitive, and businesses with adequate knowledge for navigating these purchases can compete more effectively.

Why Businesses Are Buying IPv4 Addresses

IPv4 address scarcity has contributed to market competition, pushing companies to actively seek out address blocks and purchase them as soon as they become available.

Although IPv6 is more widely adopted, the IPv4-to-IPv6 transition has been slow, forcing many companies to rely on IPv4 addresses to maintain their network uptime. Many legacy systems and applications also still require these address blocks, making it necessary for businesses to retain a sufficient IPv4 supply.

Most IT teams and network administrators are also familiar with IPv4 management since they have worked with these addresses for decades. Companies expanding internationally often require additional IPv4 addresses to establish network infrastructure in different regions.

The high demand for IPv4 addresses has driven up prices, making IPv4 acquisition a potential investment opportunity and boosting the appeal of owning these assets versus leasing them. As IPv4 addresses become more valuable, businesses increasingly explore efficient acquisition strategies to support their growth and expansion.

How to Buy IPv4 Addresses: Step-by-Step

Here are the key steps to completing an IPv4 purchase:

Determine Your IP Address Needs

Before deciding whether it’s the right time to acquire IPv4 addresses, businesses should assess specific requirements such as:

Block size – IPv4 addresses come in various block sizes, ranging from /24 (the smallest) to /16 (the largest normally transferred). Although block pricing can vary based on market demand, the smaller blocks are more commonly used in small-to-medium-sized corporate networks, while the larger ones are used in much larger network infrastructures.
Usage – Businesses should evaluate how these blocks will be used (e.g., hosting cloud-based services vs. maintaining large, global networks). IP addresses that will be used 24/7 by a network may warrant a purchase, unlike those that will be used a few times each week.
Timeframe – Assessing whether an IPv4 acquisition is more feasible as a short- vs. long-term investment helps maximize the return on investment with available capital.

Partner with a Reliable IPv4 Broker

With the help of a trusted, reputable IPv4 broker, businesses can quickly and efficiently navigate the process of acquiring IP address blocks.

An IPv4 broker is essential for facilitating IP address transactions, ensuring regulatory compliance with regional internet registry (RIR) policies, and reducing the potential risks businesses typically encounter when purchasing IP assets. Additionally, an IP marketplace broker has access to verified sellers, reducing the potential for fraudulent address block acquisitions.

Understand the IPv4 Transfer Process Through RIRs

RIRs such as the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC), and Asia-Pacific Network Coordination Centre (APNIC) oversee the distribution and management of IPv4 addresses in their respective regions. Businesses must familiarize themselves with the unique requirements outlined by the RIRs responsible for the areas in which they are conducting IPv4 transactions.

These regulations will likely vary across RIRs. For instance, ARIN requires businesses to document their justification for an IPv4 acquisition, whereas APNIC stipulates specific compatibility policies for intra- and inter-regional transfers.

Prepare Required Documentation and Complete Due Diligence

As with any other financial transaction, companies looking to buy IPv4 addresses must provide certain documents to RIRs before finalizing the acquisition.

Depending on the RIR and the requested documentation, businesses will likely need to:

Justify their need for IPv4 addresses, especially when purchasing additional blocks
Demonstrate that the purchased addresses are clean and reputable
Provide legally binding contracts outlining the IP block sale terms

Using an IPv4 Broker: What You Need to Know

Brokers facilitate secure, compliant transactions, making them very valuable in any IPv4 purchase. For instance, a broker has the infrastructure and resources to identify IPv4 addresses for sale in a competitive market and can quickly verify the seller’s reputation and legitimacy. Upon identifying ideal address blocks, the broker can help navigate seller negotiations and compile the necessary documentation to complete the transaction.

Although some businesses handle IP address purchases themselves, they risk running into legal, compliance, and operational issues during or after the purchase.

Using broker services for IPv4 acquisitions offers several benefits:

Reduced fraud risks since sourced blocks are verified
Simplified compliance with RIR rules and regulations
Minimized legal risks and secured financial transactions (via escrow)

When choosing a reputable IPv4 broker, organizations should look for one with significant industry experience and an understanding of the IP address market, which constantly evolves with unexpected shifts in address block supply and demand. Another key factor to evaluate is an IPv4 broker’s ongoing supply of available blocks, which is crucial if the broker is likely to become a long-term partner for navigating IP block transactions.

Understanding IPv4 Block Valuation

Factors that influence IP address pricing include:

Block reputation – Clean IP addresses without a history of spam or abuse are more valuable than those which may have been blacklisted at some point.
Block size – Smaller blocks are typically more common than larger ones, making them less expensive. However, these dynamics can vary with supply and demand market shifts.
Regional demand – The pricing of specific IPv4 address blocks within certain timeframes might depend on the supply and demand in different geographic regions. For instance, rural areas with limited internet connectivity are likely to have higher IPv4 availability than more urban or developed locations.

IP address marketplaces determine IPv4 valuation based on the above factors. However, the fair market value can change with variations in economic conditions, adoption of IPv6 technology, or rapid network expansion in specific industries. For example, the demand for larger IPv4 address blocks increased in 2022, likely due to post-pandemic economic recovery, and that in turn drew more sellers into the market.

Buyers can find several online tools and strategies to estimate the cost of buying IPv4 addresses. However, these may not be up-to-date or factor in market-specific nuances. The only large transaction platform that reports on IPv4 transfers live, including prices is IPv4.Global. It’s prior sales reporting is live.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

When buying IPv4 addresses, businesses must be aware of potential risks:

Due diligence gaps can lead to purchasing blacklisted or low-reputation IP blocks, especially when they have been sitting idle for extended periods.
Incomplete transfer documentation and registry delays can slow the completion of an IPv4 purchase and subsequent acquisition.
Buyers can overpay for IPv4 addresses due to limited transparency or insufficient market knowledge.
Improper verification of seller credentials and ownership legitimacy can result in fraudulent purchases.

Final Thoughts: Is Now the Time to Buy IPv4?

A great place to start is observing market trends, such as pricing, demand, and future outlook. When market conditions are favorable, investing in IPv4 addresses can provide a business that relies heavily on these resources with long-term value.

However, before completing these transactions, businesses should evaluate their long-term needs, balance sheets, and industry trends.

In some cases, leasing may be a better alternative than an upfront IPv4 purchase. Leasing offers short-term flexibility, which benefits fast-growing organizations whose network needs change quickly, especially during early expansion phases. On the other hand, buying IPv4 addresses provides more control to buyers who can monetize these blocks in the long term.

By understanding the buying process, working with reputable brokers, and staying informed about market conditions, businesses can secure the IPv4 addresses they need while minimizing operational risks and maximizing long-term value.

Our team of experts at IPv4.Global has significant experience facilitating IP address transactions, even in the most competitive markets. Whether you’re interested in learning more about valuing IPv4 addresses, navigating RIR compliance much faster, or finding suitable address blocks, our team can provide the guidance and IPv4 broker services you need.

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