By Savvas Bout, Founder of Prefixx. Last updated 9 October 2026.
Buying an IP address in the USA is a real challenge.
The IP address transfer process can take weeks, so finding a quality source of a clean, routable IP address block is critical.
We will examine how the transfer of IP addresses across server locations works through ARIN and the secondary market, and highlight some of the common problems that can arise when transferring IP addresses.
We will also outline the key differences between buying and leasing IP addresses , and provide you with an overview of the IP address transfer process, including the LOA. RPKI ROA and IRR objects that your upstream will require you to create before they start to accept your IP address announcements. The setup of these routing objects is a prerequisite step that must be completed before your provider will announce your prefix.
What it actually means to buy IP address USA
When someone is searching for a way to get a US IP address , they generally are looking for one of two things: a consumer product or a network resource.
The best VPN, proxy server, and hosting IPs for consumers
Your VPN service assigns you a temporary shared or dedicated IP address from their pool. This IP address can be changed from time to time for other VPN subscribers, you never actually own the IP address assigned to you.
A proxy service also assigns you an IP address from their pool of rented IP addresses, and again you are only renting access to use that IP address temporarily. Whether you use a nordvpn app or another provider, the underlying mechanism remains the same: temporary assignment rather than ownership.
Looking up "united states proxies" yielded a long list of rental proxy solutions, each providing a single American IP address for general use or web scraping.
Instead of you controlling the underlying IP block of course, that is handed off to you by the rental proxy provider. The only other product that functions in a similar way is the Tor browser which routes through a series of volunteer-written proxy nodes that are constantly shifting and have no fixed IP addresses. Users who download the Tor browser gain access to this decentralized network without needing to configure proxy settings manually.
Review the proxy details within any service agreement and you’ll likely find details of a termination clause.
Can I buy a private IP address or proxy server?
No. These are private IP ranges as defined by RFC 1918 (10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16). Unlike a dedicated IP address, they are non-routable on the global Internet and are not allocated by any RIR (Registro de Internet para la América Latina y el Caribe / Internet Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean). Scarcity value does not apply to these ranges, which are assigned by your ISP within their CGNAT configuration.
How long does an ARIN IPv4 transfer take with the nordvpn app
ARIN is responsible for distributing IPv4 addresses in North America.
All the free pools of IP address number managed by ARIN and the other Regional Internet Registries were exhausted between 2011 and 2020. Today all the free, routable IP number blocks are gone. All the available, free, routable IP number blocks today are for sale in the secondary transfer IP number market.
There organizations sell IP number blocks from a /24 up to a /16. Here individuals cannot register for free IP numbers directly at the ARIN-Website.
Understanding the secondary market, why it exists and how it behaves can help us IP the right information to assess whether investing in a block is right for you.
Why the US IPv4 market works the way it does

The free pools of IPv4 addresses at the registries have all closed in recent years.
Arin's role and why it matters for US buyers
The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) serves North America with a transfer policy that details who can request the sale of blocks of IP addresses assigned to any us server or network operator. Each registry maintains its own transfer procedures and documentation requirements for blocks associated with any registered domain or network resource.
The transfer policy of each of the five regional Internet registries, ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC, is independent of any internet service provider involvement, so the registry of record for a particular block of numbers always follows the block.
The typical buyer for US-based companies is looking to buy ARIN space. The reason is two-fold: geolocation databases typically map ARIN space to North American addresses, flagging them as a US IP tied to the United States. ISP routing tables typically treat ARIN space as domestic; and there are numerous compliance issues that require internet traffic to originate from within a particular jurisdiction. Buyers seeking an america IP address specifically value ARIN allocations because they ensure proper geolocation tagging and routing treatment within the region.
US IP address allocation: ARIN vs. Other RIR regions
NCC RIPE NCC and APNIC IPv4 blocks can be acquired and announced from the US. As they were assigned in Europe and Asia-Pacific, it will take some time to change the geolocation information which is cached with many providers. For sites that need to access US content or that are subject to geo restricted content rules, a native ARIN block is a huge differentiator.
How much does an america IP address cost?
Pricing on the secondary market for IP addresses varies greatly based on block size, RIR region and reputation history. For example, ARIN blocks command a premium over similar RIPE NCC held space in the same month. No published exchange rate exists and prices are negotiated on a per deal basis.
For online privacy infrastructure, browser extensions with dedicated exit nodes, or shared services for multiple users, the buyer must factor in the block’s reputation to the overall cost, as the price per address is not enough.
Prefixx runs Tixx quality control on each block, checking real IP address reputation data, before it is sold to a buyer so the buyer can assess the potential reputation risk before a commitment is made. Buyers prioritizing clean reputation often seek blocks with strong routing history and minimal prior abuse flags to ensure operational security.
With market dynamics defined, the critical decision for us IP investors then shifts to whether to hold a block in freehold or on a term lease.
Buying vs leasing a US IP block: which path fits your needs

Whether you should own a US dedicated static IP block or rent one, rather than opting for a residential proxy solution, depends on a number of factors including how soon you need the addresses, how you will be billing for them, and how you intend to use the addresses. Companies evaluating this decision must weigh upfront capital expenditure against recurring lease costs over their expected usage horizon.
Buying a proxy server: ownership, asset value, and clean reputation
The outright purchase of space gives you a permanent and transferable asset on your balance sheet. The block becomes an asset assigned exclusively to your entity, with full control over routing and delegation.
A purchased block has its own dedicated IP address, which means this IP address is entirely your own. In contrast to a dedicated us IP address used only by you, with shared IP addresses other users on the same IP range can affect your sender score negatively.
However, a block that you have purchased starts from scratch and remains clean if you use it correctly. Shared IP addresses can expose your traffic patterns to other users activity on the same subnet, which may compromise deliverability or trigger rate limits.
No fees are charged to buyers on Prefixx for buying a block. Buyers simply create an account on the platform to begin browsing available blocks and initiate transfers.
A natural buyer for this type of asset would be a growing ISP, cloud provider, or company with long-term online activities.
Leasing a proxy server: speed, flexibility, and nordvpn offers
Leasing is a good option for teams that need a US address quickly. All leases include RPKI, LOA, reverse DNS and white-glove setup. Unlike free proxy services that offer no control or guarantees, leased blocks provide dedicated routing and compliance support throughout the term.
Our leased addresses can function as a static IP resource for your infrastructure as well. Leased addresses can be used by a startup testing out a proxy network, a best VPN provider or security researcher that needs to set up a large number of proxies, or even by a company running proxy-based data pipes. You can be up and running the same day. For instance, nordvpn offers similar leased infrastructure to support its global server network and maintain flexible capacity.
Leasing also makes sense for Proxy Operators. The typical Proxy Operator is a single user running a proxy cluster. Such a user does not need to own the underlying us IP address block, and leasing it as an operational expense versus a capital outlay is very important at early stages of scaling online activities. Some operators prefer a VPN app for routing traffic through leased blocks rather than managing bare proxy infrastructure directly.
How much does it cost to buy a block of IP addresses?
There is no published price by ARIN.
Use cases involving proxies deployed to access websites, shared IPs with questionable histories, or blocks that appeared on abuse lists come at a discount.
Note: Proxy services that rely on shared IPs expose you to slower speeds and deliverability issues caused by other users on the same range. Owning or leasing a dedicated block eliminates that risk entirely. Dedicated blocks also allow you to encrypt traffic with full control over routing policies and certificate management.
Whether you decide on buying or leasing a car, there is a predetermined sequence of events that you should be made aware of before you actually sign in the dotted line.
How the secondary market transfer process works step by step

The purchase of IP addresses in the ARIN region follows a strict sequence. Before initiating a transfer, the buyer must hold a valid organizational account with ARIN that meets the registry's justification requirements.
Proxy provider needs assessment and block sourcing
The minimum routable block of IP addresses that most ISPs and upstream providers will transfer is a /24.
Many users underestimate their future demands for IP addresses, particularly when remote work infrastructure, usa proxies, security devices, and per-service IP addresses are added to the normal complement of internet service provider server IP addresses. Plan for 18-24 months of growth, not the current number of servers. For more context, see List of assigned /8 IPv4 address blocks . Proper capacity planning ensures that infrastructure can handle peak traffic requests without requiring additional address acquisitions on short notice.
Next, we source the block and run it through Tixx quality control. Tixx checks for things like the IP address's ownership history, whether it can be transferred, if it is blacklisted on 12+ DNSBLs, and other routing-related issues. We provide a health report that details the results of the quality control, and even assigns a transfer readiness score.
This is very different from VPN services or shared IP pools. Each bought IP is exclusively assigned to the buyer. The quality control process also verifies that the block can be properly configured to encrypt traffic at the routing layer if required by the buyer's security policies.
What is the smallest IPv4 block I can buy?
In buying under ARIN, for example, a /24 is the standard starting point for most organizations.
Escrow, RIR submission, and proxy server routing setup
After both parties have agreed, funds are put into an escrow account.
Once ARIN confirms the transfer of the IP address block to you, you can start announcing it from your networks. The LOA is used by your network team or your upstream provider to start advertising the IP space. The RPKI ROA (Route Origin Authorization) ensures that the ASN (Autonomous System Number) of the origin is correct. Most ISP's prefix filters can be satisfied with an IRR (Internet Routing Registry) route object.
Understanding the process of purchasing property is one thing.
Proxy server, VPN, and dedicated IP locations: what buyers search for

When searching for “purchase US IP addresses”, there are at least four different needs that searchers are trying to fulfill.
Proxy server, VPN, and dedicated IP address explained
A proxy server acts as a middle man between your computer and the Internet and can send your Internet request from within a US proxy server. This way websites around the world will see that your request is coming from a US-based IP address.
A VPN server does basically the same thing but also encrypts the data traveling between you and the VPN server. Both proxy and VPN servers handle your outbound requests by routing them through their infrastructure before they reach the destination website.
VPN services are typically offered as consumer services and you pay for them on a subscription basis. You download a VPN client, connect to a server and choose from available locations. Note that you do not get to use your own IP addresses with a VPN service. The client software handles the connection setup automatically, requiring minimal technical knowledge from the end user.
Residential proxies route IP traffic through genuine user IP addresses allowing them to go undetected by online services’ automated systems. USA residential proxies are supplied by data providers and are typically offered on a usage-based basis.
Shared IP addresses allow multiple users to use the same IP address whilst a dedicated IP address is assigned to and used by a single user only. The choice between shared IPs and dedicated addresses often depends on whether privacy or reputation control is the primary concern for the deployment.
Buying vs leasing a static IP block what are the differences
Leasing a us IP prefix grants you the right to use a block of IP addresses for a set period of time, without purchasing them.
At Prefixx, we offer both buying (full ownership transfer via escrow, every dedicated static IP block, including united states proxies, checked by Tixx quality control) and leasing (guarantee of non-revocation of lease within 24 hours of provision).
United states proxies: residential server vs. Routable IPv4 block
| Product | Ownership | Who it suits | Routing control |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPN / proxy subscription | None | Individuals, geo-access | None |
| Dedicated IP (hosting/proxy) | None | Single user, privacy | None |
| Leased IPv4 block | Usage rights | Businesses needing BGP | Full BGP announcement |
| Purchased IPv4 block | Full ownership | Operators, carriers, enterprises | Full BGP announcement |
If you need geo restricted content or online privacy then look at a VPN or residential proxy. If you need a block of IP addresses from your organization announced via BGP then Prefixx is the place to start.
We have vetted blocks of size /24 to /16 for transfer. All transfers are registered with the appropriate RIR (ARIN, RIPE NCC. APNIC) and we have a number of USA proxies as well as a range of consumer VPN services that are not of interest to us.
Why choose Prefixx for buying US IPv4 space
Buying a US IP address block is not a commodity transaction. The block's history, its IP reputation, and the routing paperwork all determine whether your dedicated IP space actually works the moment you announce it. Prefixx handles every one of those details.
- Registered with ARIN, RIPE NCC and APNIC. We broker vetted us IP address blocks across all major registries, with inter-RIR transfers handled end to end.
- Zero buyer fees. Sellers pay a commission; buyers pay nothing beyond the block price.
- Escrow-secured since 2018. Funds are held in escrow until the RIR transfer completes. No money moves until the address space is yours.
- Tixx QC on every block. Ownership, blacklists, routing hygiene and RIR standing are checked before any network or organizations receive an offer.
- White-glove routing paperwork. Our team prepares the LOA, RPKI ROA and IRR route objects. BYOIP deployment onto Netrouting bare metal is included with no per-IP surcharge.
- Senior consultants on every deal. Boutique, human-in-the-loop from sourcing through security review to transfer close.
If you are ready to acquire American IP address space, visit Prefixx.net/buy-IPv4-addresses or contact our team to compare options and receive a personalized offer.
Key questions answered: buying a US IP address
The private IP addresses (as defined by the RFC 1918 address space) that your ISP and internal networks share under the same address ranges are not routeable on the public internet and cannot be purchased. What you actually buy is public, routeable address space: a dedicated IP address, or a /24, /16 etc. block of IP addresses which have been registered with a RIR and are seen by all routers on the internet.
We can provide a vetted US IP block with zero buyer fees.
The US IPv4 market is a scarcity market. The free pool of IPv4 addresses from ARIN is gone. Prices for a dedicated IP or IPv4 address block are generally determined by the size of the block being sold, the prior buyer's reputation, and the cleanliness of the internet traffic routing record that can be transferred.
Both models exist today and can be implemented correctly to avoid huge expense and delay of months.
Each of these steps relies on the previous one.
If you have a block in mind or a requirement to fill, contact the Prefixx team for a vetted listing and a personalized offer.
Contact us to discuss your IPv4 needs today
No hidden fees, free consult. A broker replies within one business day.