As we move further into 2025, the IPv4 ecosystem is undergoing a significant transformation. The market is experiencing a shift, with more supply, lower prices per IP, and an explosive growth in IPv4 leasing. These changes mark a break from the years of price increases caused by a limited supply and high demand. As businesses and service providers adjust to these changes, the way ISPs, hosting companies, data centers, and cloud providers acquire and manage their IPv4 address space is evolving.
This guide will dive into the key IPv4 trends that will define 2025, analyzing data on price fluctuations, supply surges, the rise of leasing, and market predictions for the next two years. Whether you’re a business looking to expand, an ISP scaling up, or a cloud provider adjusting your infrastructure, staying informed about these changes is crucial for making smart, cost-effective decisions in the IPv4 market.
Trend 1: A Surge in Supply from Large Block Holders
One of the most significant trends in 2025 is the influx of large IPv4 blocks back into the market. Historically, large blocks such as /16 and /15 were extremely hard to obtain, often selling at a premium price. However, in 2025, several organizations, including large corporations undergoing restructuring and government agencies upgrading their infrastructure, have decided to return or sell their IPv4 allocations. This move has significantly increased the available supply of IPv4 address space.
- Impact on Prices: The re-emergence of these large blocks has caused a dramatic drop in prices, especially for blocks in the /16 and /20 range. These blocks, which were previously valued at $40–$50 per IP, are now being sold for as little as $24 per IP, marking the first major price drop in over eight years.
- Opportunities for Buyers: While smaller blocks like /24 remain relatively expensive, the availability of larger ranges has helped stabilize prices across the market, offering more affordable options for businesses that previously couldn’t justify paying premium prices for IPv4 addresses.
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Trend 2: The Leasing Boom – More Than 80% of IPv4 Transactions Are Lease-Based
In 2025, the IPv4 leasing market has exploded, with more than 80% of IPv4 transactions now taking place through leasing rather than outright purchases. This shift has been driven by several factors, making leasing an attractive option for businesses in need of IPv4 addresses.
Reasons for the Leasing Boom:
- Cost Efficiency: Leasing allows businesses to spend less upfront compared to buying entire blocks of IPs. This makes it an ideal solution for businesses with limited budgets or those that need temporary IP addresses.
- Scalability: Leasing offers flexibility, especially for growing businesses or companies with fluctuating demands. Leases can be adjusted to meet short-term or long-term needs.
- Quick Deployment: Leased IPv4 addresses can be rented and routed in just a few days, making leasing a faster solution than waiting for traditional purchasing processes.
- Risk Reduction: Leasing minimizes the risks associated with owning IPv4 addresses long-term, such as issues related to IP reputation, depreciation, or difficulty in selling unused addresses later.
- Flexibility: Leased IPs can be scaled up or down depending on the business’s evolving needs, providing a significant advantage for businesses that need dynamic and flexible solutions.
Platforms like IPv4Hub.net have become pivotal players in this leasing trend, offering clean, verified IPv4 blocks with clear pricing and transparent terms. IPv4Hub.net’s service allows businesses to quickly lease IPv4 space, with full documentation including SWIP, LOA, and ROA, making it one of the best platforms for companies seeking immediate access to IPv4 resources.
Trend 3: Price Drops in Mid-Sized Blocks
While prices for larger IPv4 blocks have dropped significantly, there is also a noticeable decline in prices for mid-sized blocks. This trend is largely attributed to the growing supply and the increasing adoption of leasing as a solution.
- /24 Blocks: Prices have fallen to an average range of $30 to $38 per IP.
- /23 Blocks: Prices fluctuate between $28 and $36 per IP.
- /22 Blocks: The average cost is now between $26 and $34 per IP.
This decline in pricing for mid-sized blocks is beneficial for startups, small businesses, and ISPs that need affordable IPv4 addresses for their operations. While smaller blocks still carry a higher price tag, the stabilization of the market and the availability of leasing options have made IPv4 addresses more accessible than ever before.
Trend 4: Slowing Inter-RIR Transfers
In the past, there was a significant amount of activity in inter-RIR transfers, particularly between regions like RIPE and ARIN. This was due to price disparities, with RIPE blocks often being cheaper than ARIN blocks. However, as the market has matured and prices have become more similar across regions, there has been a noticeable slowdown in inter-RIR transfers.
- Impact on Transfers: As price differences between regions shrink, more transactions are taking place within local markets. The demand for cross-region transfers has decreased, making local brokers and platforms like IPv4Hub.net even more crucial for businesses that need to quickly source IPv4 space.
Trend 5: Businesses Monetizing Unused IPv4 Space
In 2025, businesses are finding ways to monetize their unused IPv4 allocations, helping to maintain liquidity in the market. Some of the ways companies are capitalizing on their unused IP space include:
- Selling Large Blocks: Some businesses are selling large IPv4 blocks directly to other companies or through brokers.
- Long-Term Leases: Businesses are entering into long-term lease agreements, generating a steady stream of revenue from their unused addresses.
- Subleasing: Some businesses are subleasing IPv4 blocks through managed marketplaces, ensuring that their unused IP space is being utilized efficiently.
- Outsourcing IP Management: Some companies are outsourcing their IP address management, allowing third-party brokers to handle leasing, transfers, and sales.
This trend of monetizing unused IPv4 space helps keep the market supplied, ensuring that IPv4 addresses remain accessible to businesses while keeping prices stable. Keep tabs on current market rates and forecasts.
What Will Happen in 2026 and Beyond?
Looking ahead, the IPv4 market is expected to stabilize, rather than experience a crash. Key predictions for the next few years include:
- Stabilized Prices: While prices won’t crash, they will stabilize as the demand for IPv4 addresses continues to rise, and more supply enters the market.
- Leasing Dominance: Leasing will remain the dominant way to obtain IPv4 addresses, with 85-90% of transactions expected to be lease-based.
- IPv6 Adoption: The adoption of IPv6 will continue to grow, but dual-stack environments will persist as IPv4 will still be needed for many years.
- Ongoing Supply of Large Blocks: Many companies owning large IPv4 blocks will continue to return or sell their unused space, ensuring liquidity in the market.
- Marketplace Growth: Platforms like IPv4Hub.net and other brokers will continue to play a key role in facilitating IPv4 leasing and transfers.
The IPv4 Marketplace in 2025 and Beyond
The IPv4 marketplace in 2025 is more active and dynamic than ever before. With more supply, lower prices, and a rapid increase in IPv4 leasing, businesses now have more options and flexibility when acquiring IPv4 addresses. Leasing has become the preferred method for businesses seeking cost-effective, scalable, and quick-to-deploy IPv4 solutions.
IPv4Hub.net stands at the forefront of this leasing boom, offering businesses quick, secure, and fully documented access to clean IPv4 blocks with no hidden fees and reliable support. As the IPv4 market continues to evolve, understanding these trends will help businesses make smart financial decisions while preparing for an IPv6-driven future.