IPv4 Liquidity in 2026: Which Block Sizes Are Moving Fastest in the Market?

IPv4 market activity is not distributed evenly across every block size.

A/24containing 256 IPv4 addresses serves a very different buyer profile from a/16containing 65,536 addresses. The capital required is different, deployment scale is different, and the number of potential counterparties can also differ significantly.

That makes IPv4 market liquidity an important factor for organizations deciding how to monetize surplus address space.

Published market data for the first half of 2026 reported 596 completed transactions involving 5,016,064 IPv4 addresses. Within that dataset,/24blocks accounted for 182 transactions—approximately 30.5% of total deal count.

At the same time, larger blocks can account for far more addresses per transaction.

The block size that generates the most transactions is not necessarily the block size that moves the most IPv4 addresses.

For IPv4 sellers, that distinction matters.

Smaller blocks may have access to a broader potential buyer pool, while larger prefixes can require fewer but substantially larger counterparties.

This guide examines IPv4 liquidity in 2026, which block sizes are trading most frequently, why/24remains an important market unit, how larger prefixes behave differently, and what sellers should consider before bringing an IPv4 portfolio to market.

IPv4 Liquidity in 2026: Quick Answer

IPv4 market liquidity describes how readily an IPv4 block can attract a suitable buyer and complete a transaction under prevailing market conditions.

Published H1 2026 market data reported:

• 596 completed IPv4 transactions
• 5,016,064 IPv4 addresses traded
• $20.04 average reported price per IPv4 address
• $20.00 median reported price per IPv4 address
• 182/24transactions
• /24represented approximately 30.5% of total transaction count

By deal frequency,/24was therefore the most active block-size segment in the dataset.

However, "most frequently traded" should not be confused with a guaranteed time-to-sale.

Public transaction data generally tells us:

• how many deals occurred;
• how many addresses moved;
• which block sizes appeared most often; and
• in some datasets, observed pricing.

It does not provide a complete market-wide measurement of how many days every prefix took to sell.

In this article, "moving fastest" therefore refers primarily to observed transaction frequency and market liquidity, not a guaranteed closing timeline.

What Is IPv4 Market Liquidity?

Liquidity is often confused with IPv4 price.

They are related, but they describe different things.

IPv4 Price

Price answers:

How much is a buyer prepared to pay for IPv4 address space?

IPv4 Liquidity

Liquidity asks:

How readily can a specific IPv4 block find a qualified counterparty and complete a transaction at acceptable terms?

A block can have significant theoretical value while still having a relatively narrow buyer pool.

Likewise, a smaller block may carry a higher per-address valuation while attracting more potential buyers because the total capital requirement is lower.

IPv4 liquidity can be influenced by:

• CIDR block size
• Total transaction value
• RIR region
• Transfer eligibility
• Registry readiness
• Buyer demand
• Seller pricing expectations
• Reputation history
• Routing history
• Documentation quality
• Intra-RIR or inter-RIR transfer structure
• Operational dependencies

For an IPv4 holder considering a sale, liquidity therefore matters alongside headline price.

What Does 2026 IPv4 Market Data Show?

A July 2026 market analysis published by CircleID reported 596 completed transactions covering 5,016,064 IPv4 addresses during H1 2026.

The dataset reported:

The figures show a market with substantial ongoing transaction activity even as pricing changed.

Official RIR data provides additional evidence that IPv4 resources continue to move between organizations.

For example, the RIPE NCC reported that 1,913,088 IPv4 addresses were transferred during May 2026 in its service environment.

ARIN also maintains current monthly statistics covering in-region and inter-RIR IPv4 transfers.

Important Data Limitation

These datasets do not represent a perfect global commercial-price database.

Marketplace datasets may not contain every private transaction.

RIR data records qualifying resource transfers but generally does not disclose complete commercial terms or pricing.

The data is therefore best used to identify market direction and transaction patterns, rather than to claim that every IPv4 block has one universal price or liquidity level.

Which IPv4 Block Size Is Trading Most Frequently in 2026?

Based on the H1 2026 transaction dataset,/24is the clearest answer by number of completed transactions.

A/24contains:

256 IPv4 addresses

The dataset recorded 182/24transactions, making it the most frequently observed prefix size.

Several market characteristics can help explain this.

Lower Total Capital Requirement

A buyer acquiring 256 addresses commits substantially less total capital than a buyer acquiring 65,536 addresses.

Even when smaller blocks carry a higher per-IP valuation, the overall transaction remains accessible to a wider group of organizations.

Practical Deployment Size

A/24can fit a range of infrastructure use cases, including:

• hosting environments;
• enterprise deployments;
• smaller ISP networks;
• individual infrastructure locations;
• edge deployments;
• application platforms; and
• growing network operators.

Better Capacity Matching

An organization needing several hundred addresses may have little reason to buy thousands or tens of thousands.

A/24lets the buyer acquire capacity closer to its real requirement.

Wider Potential Buyer Pool

Lower absolute transaction values can increase the number of organizations financially capable of completing a purchase.

Together, these factors help explain why/24appears so frequently in secondary-market transaction data.

Does a /24 Always Sell Faster?

No.

This is an important distinction.

The fact that/24blocks appeared most frequently in completed transactions does not prove that every/24has the shortest time-to-sale.

Actual closing time can depend on:

• asking price;
• RIR;
• transfer eligibility;
• buyer readiness;
• seller documentation;
• corporate verification;
• block reputation;
• routing history;
• contract negotiations;
• payment structure; and
• registry processing.

A well-prepared/20with an identified buyer could complete more efficiently than an overpriced/24with inaccurate registry records.

Transaction frequency is evidence of market liquidity, not a guaranteed transaction timeline.

IPv4 Block Sizes and Market Liquidity

IPv4 blocks vary dramatically in scale.

This should not be interpreted as a guaranteed liquidity ranking.

A clean, eligible/16may have strong demand from a prepared institutional buyer.

A poorly documented/24may be much harder to transact.

Block size influences liquidity, but it does not determine it by itself.

Transaction Count vs Address Volume

This distinction is essential when reading IPv4 market statistics.

Suppose the market completes:

10 ×/24transactions

That represents:

2,560 IPv4 addresses

Now compare that with:

1 ×/16transaction

That represents:

65,536 IPv4 addresses

The/24segment produced ten times as many individual transactions.

But the single/16transaction moved more than 25 times as many IPv4 addresses.

Therefore, IPv4 market activity should be measured through several lenses.

Deal Count

How many individual transactions occurred?

Address Volume

How many IPv4 addresses were transferred?

Transaction Value

How much economic value was represented by those transactions?

Block-Size Distribution

Which CIDR sizes appeared most frequently?

A market can simultaneously have small blocks leading transaction count while large prefixes account for a substantial share of address volume.

Why Smaller IPv4 Blocks Can Carry a Per-IP Premium

Smaller blocks can sometimes trade at higher per-address prices than larger prefixes.

One reason is flexibility.

Buyer A needs 256 IPv4 addresses.

A/24closely matches the requirement.

Buyer B needs 65,536 IPv4 addresses.

A/16may be operationally appropriate, but it requires a much larger total capital commitment.

A purchaser accepting a large quantity in one transaction may expect stronger unit economics.

This can produce a common market relationship:

Smaller block → potentially higher unit price, lower total transaction value

while:

Larger block → potentially lower unit price, much larger total transaction value

The exact relationship changes with market conditions.

For current benchmarks, see LARUS's Global IPv4 Pricing & Market Statistics .

Why /20 to /18 Blocks Matter

The IPv4 market is not simply divided between/24and/16.

Mid-sized prefixes such as:

• /20
• /19
• /18

occupy an important middle range.

A/20contains:

4,096 IPv4 addresses

A/18contains:

16,384 IPv4 addresses

These blocks can suit buyers such as:

• hosting providers;
• regional ISPs;
• data-center operators;
• large enterprises;
• cloud infrastructure providers; and
• networks expecting significant growth.

Their total transaction values are higher than/24, reducing the number of potential buyers.

But they remain more accessible than very large portfolio-scale transactions.

For sellers, these sizes can create an important balance between scale, buyer demand and execution complexity.

Why Large IPv4 Blocks Behave Differently

A/16contains:

65,536 IPv4 addresses

At prevailing commercial valuations, a block of that scale can represent a substantial transaction.

The buyer pool naturally becomes narrower.

Potential counterparties are more likely to include:

• large hosting providers;
• telecommunications operators;
• major ISPs;
• cloud infrastructure companies;
• large network operators; and
• institutional IPv4 buyers.

This creates a different type of market liquidity.

Large prefixes may trade less frequently by deal count, but each completed transaction can move a very large number of addresses.

Lower transaction frequency does not necessarily mean weak demand.

It may simply reflect a smaller number of buyers capable of absorbing institutional-scale inventory.

Does Splitting a Large IPv4 Block Improve Liquidity?

Potentially, but not automatically.

A seller controlling a large eligible prefix may wonder whether smaller blocks could reach more buyers.

Mathematically, a/16contains the same number of addresses as:

• 2 ×/17
• 4 ×/18
• 16 ×/20
• 64 ×/22
• 256 ×/24

But that does not mean a/16should simply be divided into hundreds of separate transactions.

Subdivision can increase:

• buyer reach;
• transaction count; and
• potentially the per-address economics of some portions.

But it can also create:

• more contracts;
• more counterparties;
• more due diligence;
• more registry transfer requests;
• more settlement events;
• more routing changes; and
• greater administrative overhead.

The seller also needs to confirm whether subdivision is permitted and operationally appropriate.

Relevant considerations include:

• RIR policy;
• current registry structure;
• minimum transferable prefix size;
• existing ROAs;
• IRR records;
• reverse DNS;
• live routing; and
• current production use.

The best strategy is therefore not necessarily:

Split the block as much as possible.

A better objective is:

Structure the portfolio to balance buyer reach, valuation, transaction complexity and operational continuity.

What Makes an IPv4 Block More Liquid?

CIDR size is only one factor.

Two/24blocks can have very different marketability.

1. Transfer Eligibility

A block needs an executable transfer path.

Strong buyer interest is of limited value if the planned transaction cannot satisfy the applicable registry process.

2. Clear Registry Records

Organization and resource information should be understandable and current.

Corporate-name changes, acquisitions and stale records can create additional work.

3. Documentation Readiness

The seller should be able to establish:

• the resource involved;
• organizational authority;
• registry relationship; and
• relevant transaction documentation.

4. Reputation

Buyers may review whether a prefix has been associated with:

• spam;
• abuse;
• malware;
• blocklists; or
• problematic historical use.

5. Routing History

Past announcements and origin ASNs can influence operational due diligence.

6. RPKI and IRR State

Existing ROAs and routing-policy records should be understood before the transition.

7. Realistic Pricing

Even a highly marketable/24may attract limited demand if the seller expects a price substantially above prevailing market conditions.

8. Operational Readiness

A prefix deeply embedded in production systems can require more transition planning than a genuinely unused block.

For sellers preparing a transaction, LARUS provides a complete How to Sell IPv4 Addresses in 2026 guide.

Does the RIR Affect IPv4 Liquidity?

It can.

The IPv4 transfer market operates alongside the registration frameworks maintained by Regional Internet Registries.

The relevant RIR may influence:

• transfer eligibility;
• documentation requirements;
• minimum transfer sizes;
• recipient requirements;
• intra-RIR or inter-RIR options; and
• processing workflow.

ARIN publishes current IPv4 transfer statistics and reporting , including in-region and inter-RIR activity.

The RIPE NCC also publishes detailed IPv4 transfer records .

These official datasets demonstrate continuing transfer activity, but the practical buyer pool for an individual block can depend on the transfer routes available to that specific resource.

Sellers should therefore verify current RIR requirements before assuming that every block has access to the same global buyer pool.

Liquidity Is Not the Same as Transferability

This distinction matters.

Transferability asks:

Can this resource complete the intended registry transfer?

Liquidity asks:

Is there meaningful demand from qualified buyers willing and able to complete a transaction?

A resource can be transferable but relatively illiquid because:

• the asking price is too high;
• the block has reputation concerns;
• the buyer pool is narrow; or
• the total transaction value is very large.

Conversely, buyers may strongly desire a resource that does not currently have a practical transfer path.

A successful sale needs both:

market demand + executable transfer process

What Does IPv4 Liquidity Mean for Sellers?

For IPv4 holders, the 2026 data suggests several practical lessons.

Smaller Blocks Can Reach a Broader Buyer Base

The high/24transaction count suggests strong market participation at smaller block sizes.

Large Blocks Need Different Buyer Outreach

A/16should not be marketed exactly like a/24.

Large-block buyers need greater:

• capital capacity;
• network demand;
• registry readiness; and
• deployment capability.

Price and Liquidity Should Be Considered Together

A higher asking price can reduce the number of willing buyers.

For a seller, the best outcome is not necessarily the highest theoretical per-IP valuation.

Other considerations include:

• execution certainty;
• settlement structure;
• transaction timing;
• counterparty quality; and
• operational impact.

Preparation Can Improve Marketability

Before bringing IPv4 to market, verify:

• CIDR;
• RIR;
• registry status;
• transfer eligibility;
• documentation;
• routing;
• RPKI;
• IRR; and
• reputation.

If your organization is preparing surplus address space for sale, see Sell IP Addresses to LARUS .

What Does IPv4 Liquidity Mean for a /24 Seller?

A/24seller is participating in the most frequently traded block-size category in the H1 2026 dataset.

That is a useful market signal.

But it is not a guarantee of immediate liquidity.

A specific/24still needs to be evaluated based on:

• registry status;
• RIR;
• transfer eligibility;
• seller pricing;
• documentation;
• reputation;
• routing history; and
• buyer demand.

For a well-prepared seller, the relatively accessible size of a/24may provide exposure to a broader potential buyer pool than substantially larger prefixes.

Organizations holding surplus/24blocks can discuss a direct IPv4 sale with LARUS .

What Does IPv4 Liquidity Mean for Large Portfolio Sellers?

A holder of a/18,/17,/16or multiple aggregate blocks faces a different market.

The portfolio may represent significant commercial value, but fewer counterparties have the ability to acquire large quantities of IPv4 in one transaction.

Large sellers should therefore consider:

• buyer financial capacity;
• portfolio structure;
• RIR compatibility;
• transfer timing;
• confidentiality;
• staged transactions;
• subdivision options;
• operational dependencies; and
• whether part of the portfolio should be retained.

This becomes a portfolio strategy rather than simply a pricing exercise.

Where IPv4 resources remain operationally important, sellers should also compare a permanent sale with alternatives such as leasing or a structured sell-and-leaseback arrangement.

Sell, Hold or Lease? How Liquidity Changes the Decision

Liquidity can affect an IPv4 holder's monetization strategy.

This is not a universal recommendation.

The right decision depends on:

• expected future IPv4 demand;
• liquidity needs;
• operational dependencies;
• transfer eligibility; and
• the organization's risk tolerance.

LARUS compares the alternatives in Selling vs Leasing IPv4 Addresses .

IPv4 Market Liquidity Checklist for Sellers

Before bringing a portfolio to market, ask:

• What exact CIDR blocks do we control?
• Which addresses are genuinely surplus?
• Which RIR administers each resource?
• Are registry records accurate?
• Are the blocks currently transferable?
• Is subdivision permitted?
• Would subdivision improve marketability enough to justify added complexity?
• Are the prefixes still visible in BGP?
• Which ROAs exist?
• Which IRR records exist?
• Is reverse DNS still in use?
• Are there major reputation issues?
• What buyer profile fits the block size?
• Is our expected price aligned with current market conditions?
• Do we need immediate capital or recurring revenue?
• Will selling require production renumbering?
• Do we still need IPv4 capacity after monetization?

A seller able to answer these questions is generally better prepared for commercial and registry due diligence.

Frequently Asked Questions About IPv4 Market Liquidity

What is IPv4 market liquidity?

IPv4 market liquidity describes how readily IPv4 address space can attract a qualified buyer and complete a transaction under acceptable commercial and registry conditions.

Which IPv4 block size trades most frequently in 2026?

In the cited H1 2026 transaction dataset,/24was the most frequently observed prefix size, with 182 transactions representing approximately 30.5% of total deal count.

How many IPv4 addresses are in a /24?

A/24contains 256 IPv4 addresses.

Does a /24 always sell faster than a larger block?

No. High transaction frequency does not guarantee a shorter closing time. Pricing, RIR process, eligibility, documentation, reputation and buyer readiness all affect individual transactions.

Why are /24 blocks commonly traded?

A/24requires a lower total capital commitment than a large prefix and can match the requirements of a broad range of smaller and mid-sized network deployments.

Are larger IPv4 blocks less valuable?

No. Large blocks may have lower per-address pricing in some transactions but substantially higher total value because they contain many more addresses.

How many IPv4 addresses are in a /16?

A/16contains 65,536 IPv4 addresses.

Why do larger blocks trade less frequently?

The total capital requirement is higher and fewer organizations need or can absorb tens of thousands of addresses in a single transaction.

Should I split a /16 before selling it?

Not automatically. The decision depends on RIR policy, transfer eligibility, buyer demand, pricing, routing, transaction overhead and existing operational use.

Does IPv4 reputation affect liquidity?

It can. Buyers may consider historical abuse, blocklists, routing history and deployment readiness when evaluating a resource.

Does the RIR affect IPv4 liquidity?

Potentially. Registry policies can influence transfer eligibility, available buyer pools, inter-RIR options and transaction workflow.

Is liquidity the same as IPv4 price?

No. Price measures valuation. Liquidity describes how readily a block can find a suitable counterparty and complete a transaction.

Is liquidity the same as transferability?

No. Transferability describes whether the resource can complete the relevant registry process. Liquidity additionally requires willing and qualified market counterparties.

How much is my IPv4 block worth?

There is no universal valuation for every block. CIDR size, RIR, transfer eligibility, market conditions, reputation and documentation can all affect commercial value. See LARUS's Global IPv4 Pricing & Market Statistics for current market context.

How can I sell my IPv4 addresses?

Start by identifying the exact prefix, confirming the RIR and transfer eligibility, checking registry and operational records, and preparing documentation. See How to Sell IPv4 Addresses in 2026 for the complete process.

Does LARUS buy IPv4 addresses?

Organizations holding qualifying surplus IPv4 resources can submit their portfolio to LARUS for evaluation. Transaction structure and eligibility depend on the specific resource and circumstances.

Conclusion

The 2026 IPv4 market shows why liquidity cannot be understood simply by asking:

What is the current price per IP?

Different IPv4 block sizes participate in different parts of the market.

In the H1 2026 dataset,/24blocks generated 182 transactions—approximately 30.5% of all reported deals—making/24the most frequently traded prefix size by transaction count.

That is an important liquidity signal.

But it does not tell the entire story.

Larger prefixes can trade less frequently while moving vastly more addresses per transaction.

A seller therefore needs to consider:

• transaction frequency;
• buyer pool;
• total transaction value;
• RIR;
• transfer eligibility;
• documentation;
• reputation;
• routing;
• RPKI;
• operational dependencies; and
• seller pricing expectations.

The central question is not simply:

Which block size trades most often?

It is:

How should this specific IPv4 portfolio be structured so that it reaches the right buyer pool while preserving valuation, execution certainty and operational continuity?

For organizations holding genuinely surplus IPv4 address space, current liquidity can create an opportunity to convert dormant network resources into capital.

If your organization is evaluating a/24,/20,/16or larger IPv4 portfolio, visit Sell IP Addresses to LARUS to discuss a direct transaction.

For sellers who want to prepare their resources first, read How to Sell IPv4 Addresses in 2026 .