IPv4 scarcity has been a concern for more than a decade, and the steady buildout of US data centers keeps pressure on routable address space. Even so, addresses are still available through transfers and leases.
For a US IT manager who needs address space for production systems, buying IPv4 is a manageable procurement project.
The main challenges are confirming eligibility, finding a suitable block, and checking its routing and reputation history before committing to a deal.
Key Takeaways
- Supply exists. Buyers can acquire addresses through the secondary market, though availability and prices vary by block size and registry region.
- A /24 is the practical minimum. This block contains 256 addresses. It is ARIN’s transfer minimum, and many network operators filter announcements for smaller blocks.
- The transfer is only part of the timeline. Qualification, negotiations, and payment arrangements can take longer than the final registry update.
- Due diligence matters as much as price. Check the seller’s authority, the block’s reputation, and its routing records before closing.
What "Easy" Means in 2026
Ease of acquisition comes down to three requirements. First, you must qualify as a recipient. ARIN’s transfer rules set a /24 minimum, and recipients without existing allocations qualify for an initial /24.
Larger blocks generally require documentation showing that at least half the requested space will be used within 24 months.
Confirm the requirements that apply to your organization before negotiating.
Second, your network provider must be able to route the block. Many operators filter announcements for blocks smaller than a /24, so registration alone doesn’t guarantee global reachability.
Third, the addresses need a reputation and routing review. These steps are manageable, but skipping one can delay deployment.
Three Paths to IPv4 Space
The ARIN waiting list
ARIN distributes some returned space through its waiting list, but availability and timing are uncertain.
Addresses received through the waiting list carry a 60-month transfer restriction.
This route suits eligible organizations with flexible schedules, not projects with firm launch dates.
Market transfers
Market transfers let buyers obtain existing address space from another holder. In-region transfers move space between organizations served by ARIN.
Inter-registry transfers involve another regional registry and must satisfy both registries’ policies.
ARIN supports transfers with APNIC, RIPE NCC, and LACNIC, subject to applicable rules. Confirm the block’s eligibility before signing a purchase agreement.
Leasing
If the need is temporary or uncertain, leasing avoids the upfront purchase cost.
You receive contractual permission to use the addresses rather than becoming their registered holder.
Review renewal terms, termination rights, routing support, and responsibility for resolving reputation problems.
What It Costs in 2026
Current quotes are more useful than a single market average. Prices vary by block size, registry region, and sale terms.
Recent public sales data and broker price guides put small blocks such as a /24 at roughly US$25 to US$40 per address in 2026, so a full /24 runs about US$6,400 to US$10,240 before fees.
Treat that as a budgeting range, not a guaranteed market price.
Fixed-price listings on marketplaces such as IPv4 Connect show the asking price up front, making purchase costs easier to compare.
Auctions and private brokerage may produce different prices, so compare equivalent blocks and check what each quote includes.
Add registry and transaction fees. ARIN charges a US$500 non-refundable processing fee per transfer request, invoiced to the source organization.
The recipient also pays a transfer processing fee once the transfer is approved, and that fee scales with block size.
Confirm current amounts on ARIN’s fee schedule and agree on who absorbs the source fee.
Ask about broker commissions, payment-protection costs, and any ongoing registry charges.
How Long It Really Takes
Separate the registry timeline from the purchasing timeline.
ARIN states that once it receives a signed Registration Services Agreement (RSA) and all applicable fees, it completes the transfer within two business days.
That does not include finding a seller, documenting need, negotiating terms, or arranging payment.
The overall purchase can take weeks or longer, depending on the block sought and the readiness of both parties.
ARIN pre-approval can help by addressing recipient qualification before a seller is selected. It doesn’t replace checks on the seller or the address block.
Risk Checks That Make Buying Smoother
Complete these checks before releasing payment.
- Qualify early. Apply for ARIN pre-approval and confirm the documentation needed for your planned use.
- Verify the seller. Check the registry record and confirm that the seller is authorized to transfer the resources. Agree on payment protection and release conditions.
- Check reputation. Review relevant blocklists and available abuse history. If the addresses will send email, plan a gradual introduction to legitimate traffic. A clean check today doesn’t guarantee future deliverability.
- Review routing records. Identify Internet Routing Registry (IRR) route records and route origin authorizations (ROAs), which specify the networks authorized to announce the addresses. Agree on who will update them and when.
- Check regional restrictions. Transfer eligibility can depend on the registry, allocation source, and holding period. Have both registries confirm eligibility for an inter-registry transfer.
After the Transfer Closes
Coordinate routing changes with the seller and your network provider. Outdated ROAs or IRR records can cause routing problems even after the registry transfer is complete.
Update or retire the seller’s records as appropriate, and create records for your own autonomous system number (ASN), the identifier for the network announcing the block.
Set reverse DNS, which maps addresses back to hostnames, where needed.
Test reachability from outside your network before moving production traffic, and continue monitoring reputation.
Problems associated with the previous holder may not appear in the initial checks.
Buy or Lease?
Use comparable quotes to assess the trade-off. At an illustrative purchase price of US$25 per address and 2026 lease rates of roughly US$0.38 to US$0.50 per address per month, cumulative lease payments would equal the purchase price after roughly 50 to 66 months.
That comparison excludes fees, financing costs, ongoing charges, and possible resale value. A stable, multi-year need may favor buying.
Temporary capacity or uncertain growth may favor leasing. Use current offers rather than assuming these example prices will apply.
Where to Find Inventory
Supply reaches buyers through auctions, private brokerage, and fixed-price marketplaces.
Look for clear pricing, block-level reputation reports, escrow or equivalent payment protection, and help with the relevant registry paperwork.
A fixed-price marketplace is one option for listings with blocklist reporting and managed ARIN, RIPE NCC, and APNIC transfers.
When comparing providers, ask what their checks cover, who handles routing-record changes, and what happens if a transfer cannot proceed.
The Bottom Line
Acquiring IPv4 in 2026 is feasible, but availability alone doesn’t make a block ready to use.
Confirm eligibility, compare total costs, and check reputation and routing before closing.
A fixed-price marketplace can make asking prices easier to compare, while careful preparation helps keep the transfer and deployment on schedule.
