Introduction: Why IPv4 Still Matters?

IPv4 is still the main part of the global Internet, even though it was made decades ago. Even though IPv6 is becoming more popular, more than 96% of online services still use IPv4 for compatibility, stability, and reach. But buying IPv4 addresses is now both necessary and dangerous because the global IPv4 pool is empty. There are a lot of honest sellers in the secondary IPv4 market, but there are also a lot of dishonest resellers and fake offers. Companies, ISPs, and data centers need a clear, safe, and legal way to buy IPv4 blocks. Trusted IPv4 brokers are very important in this situation.

This guide shows you how to buy IPv4 addresses safely by following a structured process led by a broker. This will protect your investment and make sure you follow the rules. Read this detailed IPv4 buying guide for safe and secure transactions.

Step 1: Learn about the IPv4 market

You need to know how IPv4 trading works before you buy. The IANA and Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) have run out of free IPv4 addresses, so the only way to get them now is through private transfers between companies.

Important regional authorities are:

ARIN stands for the American Registry for Internet Numbers in North America.
RIPE NCC is the RIR for Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia.
APNIC is for the Asia-Pacific region.
LACNIC – Latin America and the Caribbean
AFRINIC stands for Africa.

There are different rules for checking ownership, giving permission for transfers, and updating records for each RIR. If you don’t follow these rules, a transaction could be delayed or canceled.

A good broker can help you understand these rules and make sure that the IPs come from a legitimate source and can be transferred. Learn how to monetize IPv4 blocks through this detailed selling guide.

Step 2: Pick an IPv4 Broker You Can Trust

Choosing the right broker is the most important thing to do. The IPv4 broker should be:

At least one RIR, like ARIN or RIPE, has officially recognized it.
Has done a lot of large-scale IPv4 transfers
Open about prices and how things work
With legal and escrow support

Top brokers take care of everything, from matching buyers and sellers to taking care of paperwork, protecting payments, and updating the registry.

Don’t use platforms or people who offer “quick deals” over email or chat. A lot of these are unverified traders who can’t guarantee that the deal is real or that the transfer will be safe.

Step 3: Define Your Requirements

If your broker knows exactly what your technical and business needs are, they can find the right IPv4 block quickly.

Ask yourself:

How many IP addresses do you need? (/24, /22, /20, etc.)
Which RIR or region should the block be registered in?
Are you going to rent or buy?
Is having a good reputation (clean IPs with no history of being on a blacklist) important for what you want to do?

Your broker will use this information to narrow down the inventory that is available from verified sellers. This will make sure that the IPs are clean, transferable, and fit your business needs.

Step 4: Verification and Due Diligence

Before you pay, your broker does a full due diligence check to make sure:

The seller’s legal right to the IP block
That the IP range isn’t on a blacklist or being used by someone else
The block is transferable under the target RIR’s policies
There is proper documentation, such as a LOA, M&A proof, and so on.
A professional broker will also check WHOIS records, IRR and ROA records, and make sure that there are no legal problems with the IP space.

This step of verification makes sure that both parties are fully compliant, open, and safe.

Step 5: Protecting the Escrow and the Contract

After the verification is done, your broker makes the transfer agreement, which is a legally binding document that lists:

The range of IPs being moved
Price and payment terms
Move duties
Guarantees of ownership and title

Reputable IPv4 brokers use escrow services, such as Escrow.com or partners that have been approved by the registry. This makes sure that the money is only released after the IPs have been successfully moved and verified in the RIR database under your organization’s name.

Don’t send money directly through a wire transfer or cryptocurrency payment unless it’s through a broker’s secure escrow arrangement.

Step 6: Update the Registry and Transfer

The broker starts the RIR transfer process after all payments and paperwork have been cleared. This includes:

Sending requests to the registry for transfers
Adding proof of ownership and a reason (if needed)
Changing the WHOIS record to show that your organization is now the owner

This could take anywhere from three to ten business days, depending on the RIR. When you’re done, the IP range shows up in your account and is officially yours.

Step 7: Help and support after the transfer

A good IPv4 broker doesn’t just do the transfer. After the sale, services often include:

Changing entries for ROA and IRR
Making sure that BGP sends out the right route announcements
Giving advice on how to manage IP reputation
Help with setting up reverse DNS (PTR)
Long-term brokers might even help you rent out IPs you don’t use or sell them later when the market is good.

What a broker does to add value

Brokers for IPv4 are more than just middlemen; they are also experts in security and compliance. Their experience lowers your risk by:

Stopping fraud and hijacking
Making sure RIR-level compliance
Making transactions with escrow protection
Providing clean IPs with a good reputation
Also, professional brokers keep networks of verified buyers and sellers, which makes it easier to buy things, makes prices clear on the market, and gives buyers access to a wider range of products. Independent buyers can’t compete with these benefits.

Things to Avoid When Buying IPv4

Not checking: You should never buy IPs without proof of ownership from RIR.
No contract in writing: Always make the deal official in a legal way.
Unverified brokers: Look at lists of brokers that RIR has approved.
Don’t forget about blacklists. Use tools like Spamhaus and AbuseIPDB before you finish.
Paying too much for bad prefixes? Check market data from trusted brokers.

About IPv4 HUB

IPv4 Hub is a full-service marketplace dedicated to the secondary IPv4 address industry. The company offers three core services — leasing IPv4 blocks (with over 300,000 addresses available across ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC, and LACNIC regions), buying clean subnets with full reputation reports and inter-RIR transfer support, and selling IPv4 space through a fully managed brokerage process. With transparent pricing, a wide range of subnet options, and secure transaction handling, IPv4 Hub has established itself as a trusted and efficient partner in the specialized world of IPv4 brokerage. For more IPv4 insights and resources, visit:

A Step-by-Step Guide for Brokers on How to Safely Buy IPv4 Addresses