Prefix Broker: Buy, Sell or Lease IPv4 the Right Way

By Savvas Bout, Founder of Prefixx. Last updated 4 September 2026.

Network engineers trying to get IPv4 address space from the registries have hit a brick wall: all free pools have been closed for years.

A prefix broker can be of great assistance, connecting buyers and sellers of prefixes, checking the quality of the addresses offered for sale.

How to choose a prefix broker? The price of the prefixes you buy is not the only criterium. RPKI and IRR records must be correct from the start, and you should not inherit any spam history tied to the IP addresses of other users. Seeking professional advice early in the selection process helps you avoid costly mistakes and ensures your investment meets both technical and business requirements. A qualified broker can help you navigate these technical requirements effectively, ensuring your acquired prefixes integrate smoothly into your existing infrastructure without operational disruptions.

Experienced brokers provide valuable insights into market conditions, pricing trends, and block availability that help you make informed decisions aligned with your organization's growth strategy. Organizations interested in acquiring IPv4 blocks should evaluate brokers based on their track record with registry compliance and their ability to provide transparent reporting throughout the acquisition process. Organizations should prepare detailed documentation of their network architecture and justification requirements before engaging with brokers to streamline the evaluation process. Brokers often provide a comparison table showing block size, pricing, reputation scores, and registry requirements to help clients evaluate options systematically.

We also explain the important questions you have to ask before you sign anything. We explain step by step how an inquiry is handled from the initial contact until the RIR transfer and the live routing.

What is a prefix IP broker for IP resources

A prefix broker is an intermediary who buys, sells, or rents IPv4 IP allocation on behalf of a customer.

What an IP broker actually does with IP addresses

Brokers find suitable vetted blocks, qualify both organizations for a transfer, and handle the required paperwork until the resources have been moved. The registries themselves (ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC and LACNIC) approve the assignment of resources, but they do not source or vet blocks on behalf of their members.

How it differs from a self-serve marketplace

Self-serve platforms will list out the IPv4 address inventory for buyers to self-serve and transact without any guidance. A broker will then assign a consultant to handle the deal, perform the due diligence and secure the settlement via escrow. Brokers provide direct access to vetted inventory and experienced consultants who navigate the technical and procedural complexities on your behalf. A responsive broker maintains clear communication throughout the process, providing regular updates and quickly addressing any concerns that arise during due diligence or settlement.

Where Prefixx fits in post transaction support

Prefixx brokers blocks from /24 up to /16 on behalf of sellers, across all five RIRs, and stays with the deal after the transfer clears.

What a prefix broker actually does

A prefix broker helps companies buy and sell IPv4 addresses and also to lease them. All steps of this process are based on human decisions and are not automated.

Sourcing and vetting IPv4 address blocks

We verify ownership and scan blacklists and check routing hygiene for every deal before it's closed.

IPv4 address matching, documentation, and escrow

After a match has been confirmed, the broker then creates the LOA, RPKI ROA, and IRR route objects and holds the funds in escrow until the RIR has approved the conveyance. This is the longest variable in the transaction process.

Delays in registry approvals can extend timelines by several weeks, so brokers coordinate documentation carefully to minimize waiting periods. Buyers should plan for timelines that typically range from two to six weeks, though the exact duration depends on registry workload and the complexity of the transfer being expected to vary by region.

Leasing and inter-rir transfers

Transferring address inventory between registries (e.g., between ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC, and LACNIC) as well as lease arrangements, can be facilitated by brokers for purchase or for lease. If you need a vetted block (purchase or lease) with white-glove paperwork (i.e. end to end support), contact Prefixx to get that done for you. The migration process is detailed and can take a long time if not understood well, so be sure to verify each step as it will be elaborated in the following section.

Buying, selling and leasing: which option fits your situation

Transaction types are suited to different situations.

Buying an IPv4 address: permanent acquisition

A purchase of IP is a portability of all RIR registered IP (e.g. a /24) in full. This Means that you will own the block of IP addresses for good, without risk of a landlord taking them away. This is suitable for long-term growth where managing your own IP pool is more suitable. Ownership provides stability for organizations planning infrastructure investments that depend on consistent IP allocation over the long term.

A good prefix broker will handle all the necessary RIR paperwork as well as all the escrowed funds involved in a delegation. All the hidden costs involved in a transition are similarly checked by a Tixx-style broker.

Selling: monetising idle space

Unused blocks held by holders can generate income. The fees for sellers on Prefixx range from 3% to 8% depending on the sale. The buyers do not have to pay any fees at all. There are no hidden fees, for example for payment, for the buyer. And the seller only has to pay the commission when the deal is closed.

Leasing: operational flexibility

Leasing options are ideal when demand is short-term or uncertain.

When choosing between paths, the registry holding your IP block's information will dictate the rules, timelines, security requirements, and market price for you. Understanding which registry governs your transaction helps set realistic expectations and guides strategic planning in the right direction.

Why work with Prefixx as your IPv4 address broker

Prefixx is a boutique IPv4 broker. Founded in 2018, Prefixx is registered with ARIN, the RIPE registry and APNIC (with LACNIC as facilitator). Our team of senior consultants have been working in the Networking industry since 2007. Each and every deal is managed by a senior consultant from initial contact until the completion of the routing change of said IPv4 IP addresses. Over the past decade, the firm has facilitated hundreds of transfers and built deep relationships with registry officials worldwide.

• Zero buyer fees, the seller pays a 3-8% commission on the final sale price and that’s it. The buyer pays nothing.
• Tixx quality control. Every block of Tixx is checked for ownership, blacklists and routing hygiene before it can be sold to a buyer.
• All transactions are escrow-secured. This means that funds are held in escrow until both parties confirm that the allocation shift has been completed.
• Leases will come with White-glove, LOA, RPKI ROA and IRR objects created for you by our team, plus geo-location correction, rDNS and reputation monitoring.
• BYOIP deployment support. We do the routing paperwork for you and get you set up on our bare metal Netrouting servers, all without any per-IP surcharge.

If you want to buy, sell or lease IPv4 addresses, talk to our team and we will discuss options that suit your requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What do asia pacific and middle east IP brokers with dedicated support charge for prefix services?

Most brokers charge a commission on the sale price, paid by the seller. At Prefixx, the seller-only commission runs from 3% to 8% depending on block size, with smaller blocks at the higher end. Buyers pay zero fees. There is no retainer and no charge if the block does not sell.

How long does an IPv4 address transfer take with a broker?

Timeline and prices for businesses depend on the registry and whether the resource handoff is within a single RIR or crosses registry boundaries. ARIN and Europe's regional internet registry intra-RIR transfers typically complete in a few weeks once documentation is in order. Inter-RIR transfers take longer because two registries must coordinate. A broker who handles the paperwork, escrow, and registry submissions in parallel shortens the process considerably.

What is block quality and why does it matter?

Block quality, which affects prices, covers concerns around ownership clarity, block reassignment eligibility, blacklist status, and routing hygiene. A block with a spam history, an active DNSBL listing, or unresolved abuse records can damage your mail deliverability and ad transaction prices the moment you announce it. Prefixx runs every block through Tixx, its pre-sale quality control process, which checks all of these factors and produces a health report and address migration readiness score before any block reaches a buyer.

Can I lease IP addresses instead of buying them?

Yes. Leasing gives you routable address block without the capital outlay of a purchase or the multi-week RIR registry update process. Prefixx leases include a non-revocation guarantee, RPKI ROA, LOA, and reverse DNS, with provisioning within 24 hours, making managing costs straightforward with transparent prices. White-glove service covering geolocation correction, reputation monitoring, and abuse complaint handling is included with every lease.

What is an inter-rir transfer?

An inter-RIR ownership change is a transaction that moves an IPv4 block from one regional registry to another, for example from ARIN to the European RIR, or from APNIC to ARIN. Both registries must approve the transaction under their respective policies, which adds steps and time for companies compared to a reregistration within a single registry. Prefixx handles inter-RIR transfers of addresses across ARIN, RIPE Network Coordination Centre, and APNIC, and facilitates LACNIC transfers where policy allows. Navigating the regulatory and procedural differences between regional registries introduces significant complexities that require specialized expertise to manage efficiently.

Besides matchmaking buyers and sellers, a good prefix broker also examines all blocks before they can be sold, manages registry paperwork for ARIN. the RIPE registry, APNIC and other registries around the world and keeps the transaction secure by means of an escrow account.

Brokers ensure that all parties are adhering to the specific policies and documentation requirements set by each registry throughout the transfer process. This comprehensive oversight helps facilitate smooth transitions and reduces the risk of procedural errors that could delay or invalidate the transfer.

Buyers looking to expand should also verify that the rules for transfers, the time frames involved, and the charges vary by region. A good prefix broker has active registrations in all five RIR regions (ARIN, Europe's RIR, APNIC, AFRINIC and LACNIC) and handles all of the address handover details for customers.

Whether you need to acquire a clean, routable block, monetize space you are no longer using, or lease addresses while a purchase clears, the process is straightforward with the right partner. Prefixx handles every step, from Tixx quality checks and escrow to LOA, RPKI ROA and IRR paperwork. Contact the Prefixx team to get a vetted shortlist and a personalized offer within 72 hours.