How ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC Manage the Last IPv4 Addresses
The five RIRs—ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC—manage IPv4 allocation and registration in their regions. With free pools exhausted, they no longer hand out new IPv4 from a general pool; instead, they process transfers and maintain the registry. This post explains how each RIR manages the last IPv4 addresses and what it means for organizations that need to buy or sell IPv4.
What the RIRs Do
RIR stands for Regional Internet Registry. The five RIRs are:
- ARIN (American Registry for Internet Numbers): Americas (United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean).
- RIPE NCC (Réseaux IP Européens): Europe, Middle East, and Central Asia.
- APNIC (Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre): Asia-Pacific.
- LACNIC (Latin America and Caribbean Network Information Centre): Latin America and Caribbean.
- AFRINIC (African Network Information Centre): Africa.
Each RIR allocates and registers IP address space (including IPv4 allocation) within its region. They don’t “create” addresses; they manage the pool that was originally allocated to them by IANA and record who holds what. When an organization needs space, it typically gets it from the RIR (when the RIR had a free pool) or from another organization via a transfer (when the RIR’s pool is exhausted).
How IPv4 Allocation Changed After Exhaustion
IPv4 allocation from RIR free pools is largely over. IANA ran out in 2011; the RIRs exhausted their general pools over the following years. So “allocation” today usually means one of two things:
Transfer-based allocation. When two parties agree to a transfer (buy/sell or sometimes lease), the RIR processes the transfer and updates the registry. The receiving party gets the space; the RIR doesn’t “give” new space from a pool—it records the change of holder.
Waiting-list allocation (where it exists). Some RIRs maintain a waiting list for returned or reclaimed space. When a small amount becomes available, they allocate it to the list in order. Turnover is slow; most organizations that need IPv4 soon use the secondary market instead.
So ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC still “allocate” in the sense of recording who holds what—but the source of that space is the market (transfers) or returns (waiting lists), not a general free pool.
How Each RIR Manages the Last IPv4
ARIN. Exhausted its general IPv4 pool in 2015. ARIN processes transfers (within region and under its policy), maintains a waiting list for returned space, and supports existing holders. IPv4 allocation in the Americas for new needs is effectively transfer-based.
RIPE NCC. Ran out of IPv4 in late 2019. RIPE processes transfers under its policy, maintains the registry, and supports LIRs. New space in Europe, Middle East, and Central Asia comes from the secondary market or (in small amounts) from waiting lists.
APNIC. Exhausted its general pool years ago. APNIC has a waiting list that has hit record length; it also processes transfers. IPv4 allocation in Asia-Pacific is transfer-based for most practical purposes.
LACNIC. Exhausted its general pool in 2014. LACNIC processes transfers and maintains the registry for Latin America and the Caribbean. New space comes from the market.
AFRINIC. Manages the smallest pool and has faced governance and resource challenges. AFRINIC still has some allocation capacity in certain contexts but overall follows the same pattern: transfers and registry maintenance are central.
So ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC all manage the last IPv4 addresses by processing transfers, maintaining waiting lists where they exist, and keeping the registry accurate. They don’t hand out large new blocks from a free pool anymore.
What This Means for Buying IPv4
If you need IPv4, you get it from the secondary market—buying (or leasing/renting) from someone who already holds space. The RIR in your region processes the transfer when you buy; it doesn’t allocate from a free pool.
What to do: Define your needs (size, region, timeline). Then use a marketplace or broker to find a block and complete the transfer. Our guide on how to buy IPv4 walks through the process: working with an LIR, due diligence, LOA, and RIR transfer steps. The RIR (ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, or AFRINIC) that covers your region will process the transfer according to its policy.
Policy Differences Between RIRs
ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC each have their own transfer and allocation policies. Eligibility, documentation, and processing time vary. For example:
- Some RIRs require the receiving party to be an LIR or have an LIR in the chain.
- Transfer rules (within region, between regions, minimum size) differ.
- Waiting-list rules and returned-space handling differ.
A broker or LIR can help you navigate the rules for your region. The high-level picture is the same: RIRs process transfers and maintain the registry; they don’t allocate new IPv4 from a general pool. For more on why we’re here, see our IPv4 exhaustion timeline and RIPE NCC runs out of IPv4.
Bottom Line
ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC manage the last IPv4 addresses by processing transfers and maintaining the registry. IPv4 allocation from free pools is largely over; new space comes from the secondary market. If you need to buy IPv4, the process goes through your RIR—get quotes, do due diligence, and complete the transfer under your region’s policy.