Are IPv4 Addresses a Good Investment in 2026 and Beyond?

With global IPv4 scarcity persisting and IPv6 adoption uneven, investors and network operators are reassessing whether IPv4 addresses remain a worthwhile asset in 2026 and beyond.

• IPv4 scarcity continues to underpin demand, but market prices and volatility complicate long-term investment returns.
• Leasing, network demand and IPv6 progress will shape whether IPv4 remains a strategic asset or a depreciating holdin

Introduction: IPv4’s market evolution

IPv4 — the fourth version of the Internet Protocol that assigns unique numeric identifiers to devices online — provides about 4.3 billion unique addresses. Originally abundant and free, IPv4 resources have long since been exhausted and distributed through five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) worldwide.

As organisations continue to build digital services, the enduring need for routable IPv4 space has created a secondary market where addresses are bought, sold and leased, effectively transforming them into a digital commodity.

But as we enter 2026, is this resource still a good investment — and what should investors, network operators and technology strategists consider?

Why IPv4 remains in demand

Even though IPv6 — the successor to IPv4 with vastly greater address capacity — exists, deployment has been slow. Global IPv6 adoption has not reached a level that eliminates the need for IPv4, particularly on legacy networks and in regions where transitional compatibility strategies such as dual-stack operation are still necessary.

Data from markets and brokers suggest that demand for IPv4 addresses remains robust, with leasing utilisation often around 80 per cent and steady transfer activity, signalling enduring operational need.

Hyperscale providers, content networks and cloud infrastructure firms continue to secure IPv4 space to ensure service ubiquity and compatibility.

Price trends: a mixed picture

Historically, IPv4 address prices surged sharply as scarcity intensified, with per-address prices crossing USD 40-60 around 2021-22.

However, more recent market data show price adjustments and volatility:

• Some marketplaces report declining per-address prices, including for large blocks, as supply enters the secondary market.
• Smaller blocks — more flexible for targeted applications — often maintain stronger pricing.
• Lease rates have remained steady (around USD 0.38-0.45 per IP per month) with high utilisation, framing leasing as a more predictable revenue mechanism than outright purchase.

This complex pricing dynamic means that while scarcity still supports value, market timing and block size matter considerably for investors.

Leasing versus buying: investment considerations

One emerging trend is the growth of IPv4 leasing as an operational model, akin to a utility with recurring revenue.

For investors and firms that need internet addresses without the upfront capital required for purchase, leasing can be an appealing alternative. Consistent leasing income might offer a steadier return than speculating on future resale value in a volatile market.

Nevertheless, purchasers betting on long-term capital appreciation must weigh the possibility that IPv6 adoption could accelerate, reducing IPv4 demand over the long run.

Strategic demand drivers: AI, IoT and internet growth

Beyond traditional internet deployment, newer growth sectors such as IoT, AI-driven cloud services and broadband expansion continue pushing address utilisation. Even as IPv6 gains traction — particularly in mobile networks — IPv4 is often still necessary for interoperability and legacy infrastructure.

What’s more, public broadband programs — such as the US BEAD funding initiative expected to scale regional networks — are likely to strengthen traffic and address requirements, reinforcing the relevance of IPv4 inventory.

Expert perspectives on investment potential

Industry analysts describe IPv4 as a “strategic necessity” rather than a pure speculative asset, anchored in operational demand rather than market bubbles.

Yet experts also caution: unlike traditional financial assets, IPv4 holdings do not yield dividends, and their value depends on continued network compatibility and demand.

Case study: IPv4 as operational capital rather than speculation

A mid-sized European cloud service provider expanded its regional data centre operations between 2022 and 2025 to serve enterprise customers with strict latency and compliance requirements. Although its platform supported IPv6 by default, many clients—particularly in financial services and legacy enterprise IT—continued to rely heavily on IPv4 connectivity. 

By 2023, the provider faced a shortage of routable IPv4 addresses. Purchasing large address blocks outright would have required significant upfront capital amid volatile market pricing, while relying solely on carrier-grade NAT risked performance degradation. Instead, the company adopted a long-term IPv4 leasing strategy, sourcing addresses from multiple brokers and dynamically allocating them across workloads while closely monitoring utilisation. 

By 2025, the provider reported stable and predictable IPv4 operating costs, no service degradation for IPv4-dependent customers, and greater financial flexibility to invest in core infrastructure during the IPv6 transition. This experience suggests that, in 2026, IPv4’s value lies less in speculative price appreciation and more in its role as operational digital capital—supporting interoperability, continuity and revenue stability rather than short-term financial gain.

Conclusion  

IPv4 addresses in 2026 retain practical and strategic value, underpinned by enduring demand and constrained supply. Yet the case for investment is nuanced: buyers must assess price volatility, leasing opportunities versus purchase, and the potential impact of IPv6 transition. For many network operators and infrastructure investors, IPv4 remains relevant — but its role is increasingly tied to functional utility rather than pure speculative gain.

FAQs

1. Are IPv4 addresses still scarce?

Yes — IPv4 free pools were depleted years ago, and available resources now circulate via transfers and secondary markets.

2. How does IPv6 adoption affect IPv4 value?

While IPv6 adoption is growing, uneven deployment means IPv4 demand remains robust where dual-stack and transitional needs persist.

3. Is leasing preferable to buying IPv4?

Leasing can provide predictable recurring income and lower upfront cost but does not confer long-term ownership.

4. What influences IPv4 prices in 2026?

Supply, demand dynamics, block size, regional policy and IPv6 adoption all affect pricing.

5. Can IPv4 be a diversified investment?

As a technology asset, IPv4 can diversify a portfolio, but it carries operational, liquidity and adoption risks unlike standard financial instruments.