Buying IPv4: Guide for First-Time Buyers and Current Pricing
Buying IPv4 addresses today is different from a decade ago. RIR free pools are empty. All acquisition happens in the secondary market—brokers, marketplaces, direct sellers—and the process has more steps than it used to. For the complete step-by-step process, see our main how to buy IPv4 guide. This post summarizes what first-time buyers should expect: defining your need, getting quotes, running due diligence, and completing the transfer.
Step 1: Define Your Need
Before you look for blocks, clarify what you need.
Size: How many addresses? /24 (256), /23 (512), /22 (1,024)? Larger blocks often cost less per address but require more capital.
Region: ARIN (Americas), RIPE (Europe/Middle East/Central Asia), APNIC (Asia-Pacific)? Your use case and connectivity usually dictate the region.
Reputation: Do you need a clean block? If you run email, VPN, or proxy services, blacklist history matters.
Timeline: How soon do you need the addresses? Transfers take weeks to months depending on RIR and complexity.
Step 2: Find a Block and Get Quotes
Brokers and marketplaces connect buyers and sellers. Share your requirements—size, region, reputation—and get quotes. Prices vary by region and block size; do not assume last year’s benchmarks still apply.
Compare total cost: purchase price, broker fees (if any), and any legal or transfer costs.
Step 3: Due Diligence
Once you have a target block, run due diligence.
Title: Confirm the seller has clear rights. Check RIR records and any liens or encumbrances.
Reputation: Run the block through blacklist and reputation checks. For email, VPN, or proxy use, this is critical.
History: Understand how the block was used. Past abuse can linger in reputation systems.
Step 4: Agree and Transfer
Negotiate terms, sign agreements, and initiate the RIR transfer. ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, and others have specific processes. Your broker or legal advisor can guide you.
After the transfer completes, set up RPKI/ROA for your block. That secures your BGP announcements and reduces hijack risk.
Step 5: Post-Transfer
Update your IPAM, configure BGP announcement, and verify routing. You are done.
Buying IPv4 takes planning and patience. Define your need, get current quotes, run due diligence, and follow the RIR process. Our how to buy IPv4 guide covers each step in detail.