IPv4 Exhaustion: What It Means for Your Business in 2026
The State of IPv4 Exhaustion
The last blocks of IPv4 addresses were allocated by IANA to the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) back in 2011. Since then, each RIR has gradually depleted its own free pool. As of 2026, most RIRs have limited their remaining free pool, and new allocations are restricted or unavailable depending on the region.
This means that any organization needing IPv4 addresses must acquire them from the secondary market - either by purchasing from existing holders or by leasing addresses from brokers like RTM Networks.
Why IPv4 Still Matters
Despite the ongoing deployment of IPv6, the reality is that IPv4 remains essential for most internet operations:
- Legacy Systems: Millions of devices, applications, and services still only support IPv4
- Cloud Infrastructure: Major cloud providers still primarily operate on IPv4
- Email Deliverability: Email reputation systems are built around IPv4 addresses
- CDN & Hosting: Most hosting infrastructure relies on IPv4 addressing
The Secondary Market
The IPv4 secondary market has matured significantly. Here's what you need to know:
Regional Variation
IPv4 availability and terms vary by RIR region. Contact a broker to discuss options for your region.
Leasing vs. Buying
Leasing offers several advantages:
- Lower upfront cost
- Flexibility to scale up or down
- No long-term capital commitment
- Includes management and monitoring
Buying makes sense when:
- You need permanent ownership
- You want to build long-term IP reputation
- You plan to use the addresses for 5+ years
- You want an appreciating asset
How RTM Networks Can Help
We specialize in navigating the IPv4 market for businesses of all sizes. Whether you need a single /24 or thousands of addresses, we can help you find the right solution through leasing, purchasing, or a combination of both.
Contact us to discuss your IPv4 needs.