In the post-exhaustion IPv4 world today, transfers are the primary way organizations obtain or redistribute public IPv4 addresses. With no free pools left at any RIR, secondary market transfers (intra-RIR within a region, inter-RIR across regions) enable networks to grow, merge, acquire, or optimize holdings while complying with Regional Internet Registry (RIR) policies.
This category delivers practical, up-to-date guides on navigating IPv4 transfer processes, policies, and realities—essential for ISPs, enterprises, cloud providers, hosting companies, and brokers aiming to buy, sell, or move blocks efficiently.
Why Transfers & Policies Matter Today
IPv4 remains critical for compatibility, email, outbound services, and dual-stack deployments. Key 2025–2026 realities include:
Total allocated IPv4 pool ~3.687B addresses (slight contraction in 2025)
High transfer activity: ~8,062 transfers in 2025 (RIPE NCC leading with thousands intra-RIR, ARIN/APNIC active)
Inter-RIR flows: RIPE often nets gains, ARIN/LACNIC/APNIC net leakers in recent years
Reserved/available pools small (~3.9M available, ~11.2M reserved mainly ARIN/AFRINIC)
Policy variations drive strategy: needs-based justification (ARIN), flexible/no justification (RIPE), inter-RIR compatibility (ARIN/APNIC/RIPE/LACNIC; AFRINIC isolated)
Key Topics Covered
ARIN transfers: NRPM 8.2 (M&A), 8.3 (intra), 8.4 (inter-RIR), justified need proof, pre-approval, waiting list bypass
RIPE NCC: permissive policies, temporary transfers (leasing support), 24-month lock on some, high-volume intra-RIR
APNIC: transfer policy details, inter-RIR compatibility, merger/acquisition rules
LACNIC & AFRINIC: regional nuances, outbound flows, limited inter-RIR (AFRINIC no outbound reciprocity)
Inter-RIR transfers: compatible RIRs (ARIN↔RIPE/APNIC/LACNIC), requirements alignment, routing updates
Common steps: documentation (org info, utilization justification, contracts), escrow, fees, timelines (weeks to months)
Pitfalls: rejections (insufficient need, legacy issues), anti-flip/lock periods, RPKI/IRR registration, legacy block handling
2025–2026 trends: transfer volumes, regional gainers/leakers, policy convergence on accountability/scarcity
Whether preparing a transfer request, evaluating sellers, or optimizing costs via policy-aware strategies, these articles offer checklists, examples, and insights drawn from RIR stats, NRO reports, and real-world outcomes. Stay compliant, avoid delays, and secure routable IPv4 resources faster.
Bookmark for ongoing updates—policies evolve, stats shift monthly, and transfer success hinges on current rules.
