The $50 Milestone: A History of IPv4 Price Growth
In 2021, IPv4 prices crossed $50 per address in some regions and block sizes—a milestone that illustrated how far the market had come since RIR pools began exhausting in 2011. This post examines the $50 milestone in context and what drives IPv4 pricing over time.
The $50 Milestone in Context
Per-address pricing has followed a predictable trajectory since RIR exhaustion:
| Period | Approximate Price Range | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2011 | Near zero (RIR allocation) | Free pools available |
| 2011-2015 | $5-15 | First exhaustions, market forming |
| 2016-2019 | $15-30 | Market maturation, growing demand |
| 2020-2021 | $30-50+ | Remote work surge, cloud growth |
| 2022-2024 | Varies by region | Continued scarcity, stable demand |
| 2025+ | ~$35 | Market saturation, stable demand |
Crossing $50 per address in some markets wasn’t a spike—it was a natural progression driven by fundamental supply and demand dynamics. Not every block or region reached that level; prices have always varied by RIR region (ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, AFRINIC), prefix size (/24, /23, /22), and block reputation.
What Drives IPv4 Prices
Fixed supply. No new IPv4 is created. The 4.3 billion total addresses are all that will ever exist. Transfers and usage agreements move existing space between organizations; they don’t create new addresses.
Growing demand. Despite IPv6 availability, IPv4 demand persists. Cloud providers, hosting companies, VPN and proxy services, and enterprise networks continue to need IPv4 for compatibility with legacy systems and networks that haven’t transitioned.
Market liquidity. The secondary market has matured significantly. More organizations buy, sell, lease, and rent through established marketplaces and brokers. Price transparency has improved, and transactions complete faster than in earlier years.
Regional variation. Prices differ by RIR region based on local supply, demand, and transfer policies. ARIN and RIPE regions have historically commanded higher prices than LACNIC or AFRINIC regions, though this gap has narrowed.
For a comparison of acquisition options, see IPv4 Leasing vs Buying.
Lessons for Buyers
The $50 milestone offered several lessons that remain relevant:
Prices reflect fundamentals. Price increases aren’t speculation—they reflect genuine scarcity meeting genuine demand. Planning based on current prices rather than hoping for decreases is prudent.
Block size matters. Larger blocks (/16, /17) typically have lower per-address costs than smaller blocks (/24). If you need significant address space, larger blocks may offer better economics.
Region and reputation affect price. Clean blocks with good reputation in high-demand regions command premiums. Blocks with past abuse history or in regions with surplus supply may cost less.
Buy vs lease is a financial decision. At any price point, the choice between buying and leasing depends on your timeline and cash flow preferences. Our buying IPv4 guide covers the purchase process; see IPv4 Leasing vs Buying for comparison.
Current Market
IPv4 prices continue to be driven by the same fundamental dynamics that produced the $50 milestone. To understand current pricing for your specific needs:
- Get quotes from multiple sources for your region and block size
- Consider both purchase and lease options
- Factor in reputation and due diligence costs
- Plan for the timeline between agreement and transfer completion
The market has matured, but the core economics remain: fixed supply, persistent demand, and prices that reflect that reality.