IPv6 was introduced more than two decades ago to replace IPv4 and solve the global shortage of IP addresses. Yet, even in 2025, organizations around the world continue to compete for IPv4 space. Demand is rising, prices are climbing, and IPv4 remains one of the most sought-after digital assets on the market. This raises an important question: why does IPv4 still dominate, despite the availability of IPv6?
To understand this, we must look at business requirements, infrastructure limitations, legacy dependencies, and real-world adoption challenges.
IPv4 Remains the Backbone of Global Internet Infrastructure
Even though IPv6 offers an enormous address pool, most of today’s internet infrastructure still relies heavily on IPv4. This includes:
- Data centers
- Hosting providers
- ISPs
- VPN companies
- Cloud platforms
- Enterprise networks
Migrating these systems to IPv6 requires significant investment, configuration changes, and compatibility checks. For many businesses, the risks, downtime, and cost simply outweigh the benefits, leading them to hold tightly to IPv4.
Slow IPv6 Adoption Across Businesses and Governments
Governments, corporations, and telecoms have been slow to fully adopt IPv6. The reasons include:
- Lack of technical staff trained in IPv6
- High cost of upgrades
- Dependence on legacy equipment
- Compatibility issues with older applications
- Security concerns and unfamiliarity with IPv6 tools
As long as major organizations operate on IPv4, smaller or mid-size businesses must stay compatible. This ensures communication, routing, and application-level connectivity remain stable.
IPv4 Is Still Required for Global Compatibility
Even companies that support IPv6 must maintain some level of IPv4 because:
- Many users still connect using IPv4
- Third-party APIs and applications often use IPv4
- Global BGP routing still prioritizes IPv4
- Many security tools perform better with IPv4
- IoT devices overwhelmingly rely on IPv4
This compatibility requirement forces businesses to continue buying, leasing, or expanding their IPv4 holdings.
IPv4 Addresses Have Become a Valuable Digital Asset
As IPv4 scarcity grows, address blocks have turned into high-value digital investments. Corporations purchase them not only for technical needs but also as long-term assets. Prices have increased steadily worldwide, making IPv4 an appreciating resource similar to domain names or digital real estate.
This financial value creates ongoing demand, regardless of IPv6 availability.
IPv4Hub.net: Helping Businesses Navigate the IPv4 Market
IPv4Hub.net plays a crucial role in supporting businesses that rely on IPv4. The platform connects verified buyers and sellers, ensuring every transaction is secure, transparent, and compliant with global RIR policies. Whether companies need clean IPv4 blocks, want to sell unused addresses, or require leasing options, IPv4Hub.net simplifies the process. Their team verifies ownership, checks blacklist status, manages transfer paperwork, and provides expert guidance throughout the transaction, making IPv4 procurement faster and more reliable.
IPv4 Offers Stability, Predictability, and Established Security Tools
IPv4 has been around for decades, meaning:
- Security protocols are well understood
- Monitoring tools are mature
- Firewalls and routing systems are optimized for IPv4
- Troubleshooting is easier due to familiarity
IPv6 introduces entirely new addressing structures and behavior. Many cybersecurity professionals still prefer IPv4 because it is predictable, simpler, and easier to secure.
NAT (Network Address Translation) Extends IPv4 Usability
One major reason IPv4 continues to thrive is NAT. By allowing multiple devices to share a single public IP address, NAT delays the need for IPv6 adoption. Businesses can continue running thousands of devices behind a limited number of public IPv4 addresses—an efficiency that has kept IPv4 viable for decades.
Many Applications and Platforms Still Don’t Fully Support IPv6
Although progress is ongoing, issues remain:
- SaaS platforms sometimes operate only on IPv4
- Some hosting control panels still require IPv4
- Many third-party integrations lack IPv6 support
- Certain VPN protocols rely heavily on IPv4
- Older enterprise software cannot function on IPv6
This means companies must retain IPv4 to avoid breaking systems or customer access.
IPv4 Demand Will Continue to Grow
Despite the expansion of IPv6, IPv4 remains indispensable for real-world operations. Infrastructure limitations, compatibility needs, investment value, and global usage patterns ensure that IPv4 demand will continue rising in the coming years.
Businesses that rely on hosting, networking, cloud services, or VPN technology will require stable and clean IPv4 ranges for the foreseeable future.
Platforms like IPv4Hub.net make it easier for organizations to secure IPv4 space safely, efficiently, and at competitive rates, helping them operate confidently in a world where IPv4 remains essential.