IPv4 exhaustion has made the digital asset market one of the most competitive in the world. As a result, more and more businesses are buying IPv4 ranges on the secondary market. Owning IPv4 space is important for stability, flexibility, and long-term digital growth, whether you’re running a hosting platform, expanding a data center, launching a new SaaS product, or scaling a VPN or ad-tech service.
But buying IPv4 is different from buying other IT resources. It needs verification, compliance, reputation checks, and strict paperwork. If you go into the process without knowing what you’re doing, you could end up buying blacklisted IPs, paying too much, or having failed transfers at the regional registry level.
This guide tells you everything you need to know before buying an IPv4 address in 2025 so you can do it safely, confidently, and at the right price.
Why Buying an IPv4 Range Matters in 2025
Even with increased IPv6 adoption, IPv4 remains essential for:
- Enterprise firewalls and legacy systems
- Cloud servers and hosting platforms
- Email deliverability
- VPN and security services
- Online advertising and tracking tools
- Datacenter infrastructure
- IoT and embedded devices
Because IPv4 blocks are finite, owning a range provides long-term control and reduces dependency on leased or shared IPs. It’s a digital asset that retains value and offers operational stability.
1. Understand the Global IPv4 Transfer System
IPv4 transfers fall under the authority of Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) such as:
- ARIN (North America)
- RIPE NCC (Europe)
- APNIC (Asia Pacific)
- LACNIC (Latin America)
- AFRINIC (Africa)
Before buying, you must understand:
- Which RIR region does the block belong to
- Whether your organization is eligible to receive transfers
- Whether justification is required (ARIN often requires it)
- How inter-RIR transfers work (ARIN → RIPE, RIPE → APNIC, etc.)
A trusted broker typically assists with all documentation.
2. Check That the IPv4 Range Is Clean and Blacklist-Free
One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is purchasing IPs without checking their history. An IP range may look legitimate but still be unusable due to:
- Spam blacklists
- Botnet or malware history
- Abuse complaints
- Geolocation mismatches
- Routing conflicts
Cleanliness is critical because a contaminated range can harm:
- Email delivery
- Website reputation
- Security integrations
- Customer trust
- Network performance
Tools like IPv4 Hub’s blacklist checker help buyers verify address cleanliness before committing.
3. Verify Legal Ownership and Documentation
Before purchasing an IPv4 range, ensure:
- The seller is the rightful owner.
- WHOIS data matches the organization
- The IPs appear under the correct RIR.
- A valid LOA (Letter of Authorization) is available.
- No disputes exist on the block.
A trusted broker validates ownership to prevent fraud or disputed transfers.
4. Understand Market Pricing Before Buying
IPv4 pricing varies widely based on:
- Block size (/24, /23, /22, etc.)
- Region (ARIN IPs often cost more)
- Clean reputation
- Current demand
- Transfer urgency
In 2025, IPv4 prices typically range between $40–$60 per IP. Larger blocks may cost more due to higher demand and lower availability. Before buying, compare market rates and ensure the pricing is transparent.
5. Decide Whether You Need to Buy or Lease
Before committing to an expensive purchase, evaluate whether leasing is a better fit.
Buying makes sense if:
- You need long-term ownership.
- You want complete control.
- You want a valuable digital asset.
- You need a permanent solution for routing or branding
Leasing makes sense if:
- You’re testing new services.
- Your IP needs are temporary.
- You prefer low upfront costs.
- You want scalability without ownership.
Many companies start with leasing and move to purchasing once demand stabilizes.
6. Use Escrow and a Trusted Broker for Safety
Because IPv4 ranges involve large financial transactions, using a broker dramatically improves safety. A broker:
- Verifies the seller
- Ensures the block is clean and legitimate
- Provides transparent pricing
- Manages ARIN/RIPE/APNIC paperwork
- Facilitates secure escrow payments
- Prevents fraud and disputes
- Helps validate the block post-transfer
For new buyers, this removes nearly all operational and compliance risks.
7. Validate the IP Range After Transfer
Once the RIR updates the ownership:
- Confirm routing and reachability.
- Re-check blacklist status
- Update WHOIS and geolocation records.
- Document your new block internally.
- Begin using the IPs as needed.
Proper post-transfer setup ensures your range performs optimally from day one
Buy IPv4 with confidence and clarity
Buying an IPv4 range is a big decision that should be made carefully, especially since IPv4 is becoming harder to find around the world. The process needs careful research, checking of reputations, legal verification, and transfers that follow RIR rules. You can be sure that you will get a clean, reliable, and fully compliant IPv4 space by working with a trusted IPv4 broker and using the right verification tools.