Many organizations hold IPv4 addresses they no longer use — legacy allocations from the early internet, space freed up by network consolidation, or blocks left over after moving workloads to the cloud. Because IPv4 supply is fixed, that unused space has real market value.
Selling IPv4 addresses is a regulated process: the block must be transferred through the Regional Internet Registry (RIR). Here is how to do it safely and get a strong price.
1. Confirm what you actually hold
Start with an inventory. Log in to your RIR account (ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC, LACNIC or AFRINIC) and list every block registered to your organization. Check:
- The exact prefixes and their sizes (for example 203.0.113.0/24).
- That the registered organization name matches your current legal entity. Mergers, acquisitions and name changes often leave records out of date and must be fixed before a sale.
- Whether any of the space is still announced or used internally — it must be renumbered or released before transfer.
2. Understand what determines value
The price per address is influenced by block size, registry, the block's reputation and current demand. Larger contiguous blocks are generally easier to sell and can command a stronger per-address price than fragmented small blocks. Clean history — no blacklisting or abuse — also matters. Read more in our guide to IPv4 pricing factors.
3. Clean up the block before listing
- Stop announcing the prefix (or plan a cut-over date) and remove it from customer use.
- Request removal from any blacklists where it is listed.
- Delete or update stale route objects and RPKI ROAs once the space is no longer in use.
- Gather documents proving your organization's right to the block.
4. Choose how to sell
You can try to find a buyer yourself, list on a marketplace, or work with a broker. A broker brings a network of vetted buyers, handles negotiation and paperwork, and manages the registry process — which matters, because a failed or delayed transfer costs time and money for both sides.
5. Sign the agreement and complete the transfer
After agreeing a price, seller and buyer sign a transfer agreement. The transfer is submitted to the RIR, which verifies ownership and policy compliance. Once the registry confirms the new registration, funds are released to you using your preferred payment method.
Get a free valuation
All Tech Cloud Services connects IPv4 sellers with qualified buyers worldwide and manages the transfer end-to-end. Submit your block for a free, no-obligation valuation — we reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Often yes — a larger block can usually be split and part of it transferred, subject to the registry's policy. Keeping the sold portion as a clean, aligned prefix makes it easier to sell.
Typically after the Regional Internet Registry confirms the transfer to the buyer. This protects both parties.
Yes. The block must be free of customers and announcements by the time it is transferred, so plan any renumbering in advance.