The internet ran out of fresh IPv4 addresses years ago, but demand never went away. Cloud providers, hosting companies and growing networks still need them, so a healthy secondary market has filled the gap.

That market works, but it is not a place to wander into blind. IPv4 addresses are registered assets, not anonymous digital goods, and a transfer that ignores registry policy can fall apart even after money changes hands.

This guide explains how IPv4 transfers actually work, what separates a safe transaction from a risky one, and where businesses can buy and sell address blocks with confidence.

Key Takeaways

• IPv4 addresses are transferred through Regional Internet Registries, so any legitimate sale is recorded by ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC or LACNIC and must follow that registry's policy.
• The minimum transfer size in most regions is a /24, which is 256 addresses, and recipients usually have to show a genuine need for the space.
• A safe deal comes down to three things: a registry-approved facilitator, funds held in escrow until transfer, and due diligence that confirms the seller's rights and the block's clean reputation.
• Marketplaces and brokers exist for every need, from fixed-price purchases to auctions, private deals and leasing.
• For straightforward fixed-price buying and selling with managed transfers, IPv4 Connect ranks first, with IPv4.Global, IPTrading, Prefix Broker, Addrex and IPXO each serving particular cases.

How Buying and Selling IPv4 Actually Works

Every IPv4 block belongs to a registry region. ARIN covers North America, RIPE NCC covers Europe and the Middle East, APNIC covers Asia Pacific, LACNIC covers Latin America, and AFRINIC covers Africa.

When a block changes hands, the registry updates its records to show the new holder. That registry step, not the payment, is what actually completes the deal, which is why both parties have to qualify under registry policy first.

Most transfers fall into a few buckets: blocks moving as part of a merger or acquisition, blocks sold to a specific recipient inside the same region, and inter-registry transfers that move space between compatible regions. The minimum transfer size is normally a /24.

Businesses usually enter this market while they are growing, whether they are launching in a new region, adding servers, or scaling web applications that need their own address space. Buying tends to be faster than waiting on a registry's limited free pool.

What Makes an IPv4 Transaction Safe

The first safeguard is using a registry-recognized facilitator. ARIN, for example, runs a Qualified Facilitator Program that vets brokers who help organizations through the transfer process, and the other registries maintain similar broker relationships.

The second is escrow. Reputable platforms hold the buyer's funds in an escrow account and release them only once the registry confirms the transfer, which protects both sides if anything stalls.

The third is due diligence. A trustworthy seller can prove they hold the rights to the block and that it is free of liens, and the addresses themselves should be checked against blacklists so the buyer does not inherit a damaged reputation.

That last point matters more than people expect. A large share of recycled IP space has landed on blacklists at some point, and a blacklisted block can quietly hurt email deliverability and network performance until it is cleaned.

Where Businesses Can Buy and Sell IPv4 Safely

There is no single right venue for everyone, but a handful of marketplaces and brokers handle the bulk of legitimate trade. Here are the options worth knowing, starting with the strongest pick for fixed-price, fully managed deals.

1. IPv4 Connect

For businesses that want a clean, fixed-price transaction without the back and forth of an auction, IPv4 Connect is the standout. It is a marketplace to buy and sell blocks from a /24 up to a /12 across the ARIN, RIPE, APNIC and LACNIC regions.

Its defining feature is reputation hygiene. Every subnet comes with a free blacklist report checked against more than 100 global lists, and the team cleans each block before listing by removing stale BGP announcements, old route objects and DNS entries, and confirming the space is free of liens.

The transfer side is fully managed, including registry pre-approval assistance, with most deals closing in roughly two to three weeks. Payment runs through secure wire or escrow, and the company is an approved transfer facilitator across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

It is operated by Brander Group and serves more than 1,000 clients across over 60 countries. The fixed "buy now" pricing and in-house cleaning make it the simplest safe option for most /24 to /16 transactions.

2. IPv4.Global

IPv4.Global, a division of Hilco Streambank, is the most established name in the space and launched its online auction marketplace back in 2014. It operates across all five registry regions and has brokered tens of millions of addresses.

It runs on two tracks: an auction platform for smaller blocks and privately negotiated deals for large or complex transactions. Funds are held in escrow, and the platform publishes past sale data, which makes it a useful reference for pricing. It is the natural choice for auctions and very large private sales.

3. IPTrading

IPTrading is one of the longest-running public brokers and handles both buying and selling through its marketplace. It focuses on guiding clients through diligence and the registry transfer process from start to finish.

For organizations that prefer a broker-led, straightforward buy or sell rather than an auction format, it is a solid, experienced option.

4. Prefix Broker

Prefix Broker offers buying, selling and leasing of IPv4 space across the major registries. It manages the full transaction, handling compliance with registry policy and securing payment through escrow.

The leasing option is the draw here for companies that need addresses temporarily and do not want to commit to a purchase.

5. Addrex

Addrex is a global marketplace where holders of unused blocks can list them for sale and network operators can buy them. It has a long track record with larger and more complex transactions.

It suits sellers with sizable inventory and buyers comfortable working through a marketplace listing model.

6. IPXO

IPXO is built primarily around leasing rather than outright sales. Its platform lets holders monetize unused space by leasing it out and lets businesses lease the addresses they need on a subscription basis.

If your need is short-term or you would rather not buy, a leasing-first platform like this is worth a look.

You can also work directly through a registry's own list of approved facilitators, which is a reasonable route if you prefer to start from the registry side.

How to Choose the Right Marketplace or Broker

Start with what you actually need. If you want to own the space outright, a fixed-price or auction marketplace fits, while a short-term need points toward a leasing platform.

Then check the safeguards. Confirm the provider is a recognized facilitator, that escrow protects your payment, and that they run blacklist and rights checks before the block reaches you. Ask directly who manages the registry paperwork.

Finally, weigh transparency. Published pricing, clear timelines and real transaction support are signs of a marketplace that will get you to a completed transfer rather than just a signed invoice.

Remember that the deal is only the start. Once the block is yours, you still have to route it and update the back-end systems that will actually use the new space, so factor that work into your timeline.

What It Costs

IPv4 pricing moves with supply and demand, and per-address prices have been climbing for years. In 2026 the market commonly falls in the range of roughly $15 to $45 per address, though the exact figure depends heavily on block size and registry region.

Smaller blocks often carry a higher per-address price, and a managed facilitator may charge a commission or fee. Always confirm the all-in cost and the commission before signing anything.

The Bottom Line

Buying and selling IPv4 is safe when you respect how the market is built. Trade through a registry-approved facilitator, insist on escrow, and never skip the blacklist and rights checks that confirm you are getting clean space from a legitimate seller.

Match the venue to your goal and the rest is manageable. For most businesses making a fixed-price purchase or sale, a managed marketplace removes nearly all of the risk, while auctions, private brokerage and leasing platforms cover the cases that need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal and safe to buy IPv4 address blocks?

Yes. IPv4 transfers are legitimate when they follow registry policy and are recorded by ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC or LACNIC. Using an approved facilitator and escrow keeps the transaction safe.

What is the smallest IPv4 block I can buy or sell?

In most regions the minimum transfer size is a /24, which is 256 addresses. Smaller allocations generally cannot be transferred on their own.

How long does an IPv4 transfer take?

A managed transfer through a facilitator commonly takes about two to three weeks from agreement to registry confirmation. Large or inter-registry transfers can take longer.

How do I avoid buying blacklisted IP addresses?

Ask for a blacklist report before you buy and confirm the seller's right to transfer the block. Reputable marketplaces clean blocks and check reputation before listing them.

How much do IPv4 addresses cost in 2026?

Pricing varies by block size and region but commonly sits in the range of roughly $15 to $45 per address. Confirm current pricing and any commission before you commit.