Legacy IPv4 Address Price 2026
Legacy IPv4 addresses are blocks allocated before the current Regional Internet Registry system was fully established. These allocations were made directly by IANA or its predecessors in the 1980s and early 1990s, before ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC, and other RIRs took over regional administration. Legacy space includes many of the famous early internet allocations - university networks, government agencies, and early tech companies that received large blocks when the internet was small.
Current Market Prices
| Block Type | Price Range per IP | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy ARIN /24 | $42 - $62 | Clean docs: upper range |
| Legacy RIPE /24 | $40 - $58 | RIPE legacy member status |
| Legacy ARIN /20 | $38 - $56 | Volume discount applies |
| Standard ARIN /24 | $42 - $58 | Baseline comparison |
| Standard RIPE /24 | $40 - $54 | Baseline comparison |
Price Trend 2022-2026
Legacy space pricing has largely tracked the standard secondary market through the 2022-2026 cycle, with some additional premium for well-documented legacy blocks and some discount for blocks with incomplete documentation chains.
In 2022-2023 during the broader market correction, legacy blocks with clean documentation held their value better than standard allocations, as institutional buyers recognized the scarcity value of early internet address space. The 2024-2026 recovery period has seen continued premium for verified legacy blocks, particularly large contiguous legacy allocations that can be used as-is without splitting.
What Affects Legacy IPv4 Price
Documentation completeness - Legacy blocks may lack complete transfer documentation chains, making title verification complex. Blocks with clear, unbroken documentation from original allocation through all subsequent holders command premium pricing. Blocks where the allocation history has gaps or ambiguity trade at a discount until additional verification is completed.
RIR relationship status - Some legacy holders have signed legacy RSP (Registration Services Plan) agreements with their RIR, which brings the block formally under RIR policy. Blocks with an established RIR relationship transfer more cleanly and command better prices. Blocks held by parties with no RIR relationship require more extensive due diligence.
Block size - Large contiguous legacy blocks such as /16 or /8 fragments are extremely rare and when they appear, transact privately at values that must be negotiated case by case. /24 and /22 legacy blocks are more common and trade within known ranges.
Routing history - Legacy space routing history is often extensive, as many legacy blocks have been in continuous use since the early internet. However, some legacy blocks were registered but never routed, which can create BGP reputation uncertainty. Actively-routed legacy space with clean reputation is preferred.
Price Difference: RIPE vs ARIN vs APNIC
ARIN legacy blocks typically trade at parity with or slight premium to standard ARIN secondary market prices when documentation is clean. RIPE legacy blocks similarly align with standard RIPE market pricing for well-documented space. The key differentiator within legacy is documentation quality and RIR relationship status, not region.
For legacy blocks with documentation challenges, a discount of 10-20% below standard market rates is common, reflecting the additional due diligence cost and risk premium. Once documentation is remediated and the block is cleanly under RIR policy, pricing normalizes.
How to Get a Current Quote
Legacy IPv4 transactions require specialized knowledge of pre-RIR allocation history, current RIR legacy policies, and appropriate legal structures for transfers where the chain of title may span decades. DCXV has experience with legacy IPv4 transfers under RIPE NCC and ARIN frameworks.
Whether you hold legacy space and want to understand its current value, or you are looking to acquire legacy space, our team can assess documentation completeness, identify any remediation steps needed, and provide realistic pricing guidance.
Contact us at ipv4@dcxv.com from our offices in Prague (CZ), Vilnius (LT), and Covilha (PT). https://dcxv.com/ipv4
