How to Sell IPv4 Addresses in 2026: RIPE, ARIN, APNIC
To sell IPv4 addresses you do not simply hand over a file. The registry that holds your block must approve the transfer, so the sale is a regulated process with a buyer, a contract, escrow and a registry decision. This guide shows how to sell an IPv4 block in 2026 from the seller's side, from the first eligibility check to the release of funds. Rules below were last checked 2026-10 on official RIPE NCC, ARIN and APNIC pages. Policies change, so confirm with your registry before you commit.
Key takeaways
- Eligibility comes first - resource status (PA, PI, legacy), registration history and holding periods decide whether a block can move at all.
- Registries differ - never apply RIPE rules to ARIN or APNIC.
- Price follows quality - block size, registry, routing history, blacklist state and clean paperwork.
- Escrow protects both sides - money is locked before the registry acts.
- No guarantees - nobody can promise a sale price, a date or a transfer approval.
Can you sell IPv4 addresses?
Usually yes, but "ownership" is not the exact word. Registry policy, your contract and the law of your jurisdiction define what you hold. In practice you hold the registered right to the addresses and may transfer it under the registry's policy. Whether your block qualifies depends on its status, its registration history and where both parties are based.
RIPE, ARIN and APNIC rules for sellers (last checked 2026-10)
| Registry | What matters to a seller |
|---|---|
| RIPE NCC | IPv4 is restricted from transfer for 24 months after the holder received it. Transfers are free of charge. A signed transfer agreement and proof of signatory authority are required. |
| ARIN | The source must be the current registered holder and not in a dispute over the resources. It must not have received an ARIN IPv4 transfer or allocation in the 12 months before approval. Recipients must justify need under NRPM 8.5. |
| APNIC | The recipient must demonstrate need. Space from the 103/8 pool cannot be transferred for five years after delegation. Members of a National Internet Registry follow that NIR's path. |
Each registry also has separate pages for legacy and historical resources and for inter-RIR transfers. For the RIPE procedure step by step, read the RIPE NCC transfer guide.
PA, PI and legacy: why status matters
PA space is allocated to a LIR, PI space is assigned to an end user, and legacy space predates the RIR system. The status changes which agreement applies, who must sign, and which registry page governs the transfer. Check it before you talk to buyers, because a buyer's lawyer will.
What determines the sale price
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Block size | A /24 has the widest buyer pool. Larger blocks fit fewer buyers. |
| Registry | Each region has its own demand and its own transfer rules. |
| Routing history | A block that was announced and maintained raises fewer questions. |
| Blacklist state | Listings on spam and abuse lists can lower an offer or stop a deal. |
| Documentation | Consistent registry, WHOIS and contract records shorten review. |
No fixed per-address price exists. Dated market observations and a quote request are on IPv4 pricing, and the method is explained in the IPv4 block pricing guide.
Request an IPv4 valuation: send your prefix and registry to ipv4@dcxv.com.
Step-by-step sale process
- Verify authority - confirm the registered holder and who may sign.
- Check eligibility - status, holding period, disputes, registry rules.
- Review reputation - blacklists, abuse reports, routing history.
- Value the block - set a target and a walk-away price.
- Select a buyer - verify identity and the buyer's eligibility.
- Sign the agreement and open escrow - the buyer funds it first.
- Registry approval - both sides submit the request and documents.
- Coordinate WHOIS and routing - update objects and plan the cutover.
- Release of funds - escrow pays out after the registry confirms.
Documents, costs and timing
Expect to provide proof of authority, company registration or ID documents, a signed transfer agreement, access to your registry account and current registration data. Costs differ: RIPE NCC states transfers are free of charge, while ARIN and APNIC publish their own fee pages. Broker commission and escrow fees are set in your contract. DCXV broker fees are published on IPv4 pricing.
No registry guarantees a duration. ARIN says a transfer completes within two business days after it receives the signed agreement and fees, but that covers only the last step. Missing documents are the most common cause of delay.
Direct sale, marketplace or broker
A direct sale saves a commission but leaves verification, escrow and paperwork to you. A marketplace gives reach, while a broker adds buyer vetting and process control. The trade-offs are in broker vs marketplace vs direct sale. Buyers' side of the same deal is in the IPv4 buying guide.
Risks and warning signs
- A buyer who wants the block released before registry approval.
- A deal with no escrow, or escrow run by the buyer.
- A signatory whose authority cannot be shown.
- A hidden blacklist history found late in review.
- Advice that copies one registry's rules onto another.
- Pressure to skip documents because the deal is "urgent".
Seller checklist
- Exact CIDR and registry for each block
- Registered holder and signatory confirmed
- Status known: PA, PI or legacy
- Holding period checked against the registry's page
- Blacklist and abuse review done
- Routing and WHOIS records consistent
- Target and walk-away price decided
Next step
Before any money moves, agree the payment checkpoints and release conditions: see the IPv4 escrow payment timeline.
Sell your IPv4 block with DCXV: email ipv4@dcxv.com with your prefix, registry and status, or start at https://dcxv.com/ipv4. The seller form is on IPv4 sell. We cannot promise a price, a date or an approval, only a clear process.
