February Showing Strong IPv4 Demand Driven by BEAD

The IPv4 market in 2025 has kicked off with a bang, as several /16’s and /14 IPv4 blocks have already changed hands in response to companies who were awarded BEAD funding in just three states. This long-anticipated influx of federal funds has fueled a surge in demand for IPv4 addresses, particularly among ISPs and network operators aiming to expand broadband access in underserved areas.

With states now actively awarding BEAD funds to infrastructure projects, the demand for IPv4 addresses is expected to continue rising. Many smaller and mid-sized providers, who previously delayed IPv4 acquisitions due to budget constraints, will begin entering the market, which will further tighten supply. Meanwhile, the number of large-scale blocks available for sale remains limited, which will eventually exacerbate the supply-demand imbalance.  Let’s look at the transfer data to determine how they align with the current narrative.

January 2025 started strong with 150 IPv4 transfer requests.  This is an increase of +4% compared to 2024, +6% compared to 2023 and +12% over 2022.  Looks like a positive trend over the last three years since we saw the market dip to the bottom.

As a result of transfer trends and BEAD funding, we predict steadily increasing IPv4 prices throughout 2025 and 2026. The market has already shown signs of upward pressure, and if demand continues to outpace supply, buyers may find themselves paying a premium for essential IP address space. While some had speculated that IPv6 adoption and CG-NAT would alleviate IPv4 scarcity, the reality is that IPv4 remains indispensable for connectivity, compatibility, and business operations.

The IPv4 market in 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most active in years, and with more BEAD funding still to be awarded, all signs point to a dynamic and competitive year ahead.