IPv4 Exhaustion has become one of the biggest challenges facing the modern internet. Every connected device needs an IP address, from smartphones to cloud servers, and IPv4 has been the backbone of this system for decades. But here’s the catch: there are only about 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses in existence, and nearly all of them have already been allocated.

According to ARIN, the American Registry for Internet Numbers, their free IPv4 pool was fully depleted in 2015, and by 2020, the European registry RIPE NCC officially announced “IPv4 is fully exhausted.” The global shortage is no longer a forecast, it’s a daily reality impacting businesses.

While IPv6 was designed to solve the problem, adoption remains uneven. In fact, only around 45% of internet users worldwide connect over IPv6 (Google IPv6 adoption stats, 2025). That means more than half of the internet still depends on IPv4.

This gap has created a growing demand for IP leasing – a practical way to access IPv4 resources quickly and legally.

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What Is IPv4 Exhaustion?

IPv4 exhaustion happens because the pool of available IPv4 addresses has been fully distributed by global internet registries like ARIN (North America), RIPE NCC (Europe), and APNIC (Asia-Pacific).

Here’s the scale of the issue:

• • Global IPv4 ownership – Nearly 100% allocated across all five Regional Internet Registries.
• • Price surge – In 2017, IPv4 addresses averaged $10–$15 per address. By 2024, prices had jumped to $40–$60 per address, depending on block size and region.
• • IPv6 transition lag – Despite years of promotion, less than 50% adoption worldwide leaves millions of businesses still dependent on IPv4.

This scarcity makes leasing IPv4 addresses a business-friendly alternative to outright purchase.

What Is IP Leasing?

IP leasing is the process of renting IPv4 addresses from a provider for a set period, much like leasing office space instead of buying a building. Instead of locking up capital in scarce resources, businesses can lease IPv4 blocks monthly, quarterly, or yearly depending on demand.

With a reputable leasing provider like PubConcierge, companies get:

• • Immediate access to IPv4 addresses.
• • Legally compliant contracts under RIR policies.
• • Flexibility to scale up or down as business needs change.
• • Lower upfront costs compared to outright purchase.

Why Businesses Turn to IP Leasing

Let’s break down the benefits in simple terms, supported by data:

1. Cost Efficiency

Purchasing large IPv4 blocks is expensive. According to IP brokerage reports, the average cost per IPv4 address in 2025 is $45–$50, meaning a /16 block (65,536 IPs) could exceed $3 million. Leasing allows businesses to pay a fraction of that, only for the period they need.

2. Flexibility & Scalability

Markets change fast. Research shows 60% of businesses adjust their IP demand quarterly, especially in industries like ad-tech and cybersecurity. Leasing matches this variability better than fixed ownership.

3. Speed to Market

While IPv4 transfers can take 4–8 weeks for registry approval, leased IPs can often be deployed within 24–72 hours, a critical advantage in competitive industries.

4. Global Reach

A recent industry survey revealed that 72% of data-driven companies require IP diversity across multiple geographies. Leasing makes this possible without managing multiple purchase transactions.

5. Legal & Regulatory Compliance

Reputable lessors operate under Regional Internet Registry (RIR) rules. A study from RIPE NCC notes that abuse-managed leased blocks maintain the same compliance standards as owned blocks, ensuring lawful usage.

Industries That Rely on IP Leasing

The need for IPv4 leasing is growing across verticals:

• • Web scraping & data extraction – The web scraping market is forecasted to reach $5 billion by 2030, much of which relies on diverse IP pools.
• • Cybersecurity & testing – Gartner predicts the cybersecurity services market will surpass $200 billion by 2026, with IP rotation as a key testing component.
• • Marketing & Ad-tech – Email deliverability reports show that using fresh IP pools can improve campaign reach by 15–20%.
• • Hosting providers & ISPs – With the global hosting industry expected to hit $321 billion by 2027, scalable IP access is critical.
• • Financial services – High-frequency trading firms process millions of transactions daily, requiring stable IP infrastructure for compliance and uptime.

IP Leasing vs. Buying IPv4: Which Is Better?

Here’s a quick comparison:

Factor	Leasing IPv4	Buying IPv4
Upfront Cost	Low	Very High ($45–$60 per IP in 2025)
Flexibility	High (scalable)	Low (fixed ownership)
Speed	24–72 hours	4–8 weeks (registry approval)
Risk	Lower	Higher (market price volatility)
Best for	Short- to medium-term needs, scaling projects	Long-term ownership and asset building

For many businesses, leasing is the more agile and budget-friendly choice in the current IPv4 market.

Addressing Common Concerns

Some businesses hesitate about IP leasing because they assume it’s temporary, unsecure, or risky. The truth is very different:

• • Legally Enforceable Contracts

Leasing agreements are legally binding under U.S. and international law. Both the lessor and lessee are protected, ensuring fairness and accountability.

• • Proper Routing & Registration

Leased IP addresses are fully registered and routed according to Regional Internet Registry (RIR) standards. This guarantees the same legitimacy and recognition as purchased addresses.

• • Ongoing Provider Support

Reputable providers don’t just lease blocks and walk away. They provide technical assistance, reverse DNS setup, and abuse management, helping businesses maintain reliable, complaint-free operations.

RIPE NCC data shows that 34% of IPv4 transfers in 2024 were temporary allocations, a category that includes leasing agreements. This confirms that leasing is no longer a niche practice but a mainstream, trusted method of acquiring IPv4 resources.

The Role of IPv6

You might be asking: if IPv6 exists, why bother leasing IPv4?

The truth is, IPv6 adoption is ongoing but far from complete. Many platforms, applications, and devices still require IPv4 for compatibility. Until full IPv6 migration happens globally, IPv4 remains essential and leasing provides a bridge between today’s reality and tomorrow’s future.

As of 2025:

• • United States IPv6 adoption – ~48% (Google data)
• • India IPv6 adoption – ~66% (one of the highest globally)
• • Africa IPv6 adoption – <20%

This uneven rollout makes IPv4 leasing a necessity for businesses serving global audiences.

How to Choose the Right IP Leasing Provider

When evaluating providers, keep these criteria in mind:

1. Transparency – Clear pricing and contract terms.
2. Reputation – Established track record with positive customer feedback.
3. Compliance – Alignment with ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, and other RIR regulations.
4. Support – Technical expertise, monitoring, and issue resolution.
5. Security – Strong abuse prevention and lawful usage enforcement.

At PubConcierge, we specialize in legally compliant, scalable, and reliable IP leasing solutions designed for modern businesses.

Future of IPv4 Leasing

The demand for IPv4 will remain strong until IPv6 becomes universal. Analysts predict that IPv4 prices will continue to climb 5–10% annually, making leasing an even more attractive option for businesses seeking agility.

Companies that adopt leasing now position themselves to:

• • Reduce costs
• • Scale faster
• • Stay compliant
• • Prepare for the IPv6 transition

IPv4 exhaustion is real, but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock. With IP leasing, businesses can keep growing, stay compliant, and operate efficiently without overspending.

Instead of worrying about scarcity, leasing allows you to focus on what really matters, innovation, customers, and growth.

If your company needs reliable IP leasing and proxy solutions, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on IP Leasing/ IPv4 Exhaustion

Q1: Is IP leasing legal?

Yes. IP leasing is fully legal when conducted through reputable providers who follow Regional Internet Registry (RIR) guidelines, such as ARIN, RIPE NCC, and APNIC. Contracts are enforceable under both U.S. and international law, ensuring compliance and accountability.

Q2: How much does IP leasing cost?

Pricing varies by block size, region, and demand. As of 2025, leased IPv4 addresses typically cost $0.30–$0.60 per IP per month, compared to $45–$60 per IP for outright purchase. Leasing offers a much lower barrier to entry for businesses.

Q3: Who uses leased IPv4 addresses?

A wide range of industries depend on IP leasing, including:

• • Ad-tech and marketing (email deliverability, campaign scaling)
• • Web scraping and data extraction (access to market intelligence)
• • Cybersecurity and testing (penetration testing and monitoring)
• • Hosting providers & ISPs (scalable infrastructure)
• • Financial services (secure, compliant trading systems)

Q4: Is IP leasing safe?

Yes. Leased IPs are legitimate and properly registered, and reputable providers include reverse DNS setup, abuse monitoring, and technical support. According to RIPE NCC’s 2024 report, about 34% of IPv4 transfers were temporary allocations (leasing), confirming it as a mainstream, safe practice.

Q5: Why not just switch to IPv6?

IPv6 adoption is growing but still uneven. As of 2025, only ~45% of global internet users connect over IPv6. Many devices, apps, and networks still depend on IPv4. Leasing ensures businesses remain fully operational while the world transitions.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or technical advice. While PubConcierge strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of this content.

Readers should consult their own legal counsel, compliance advisors, or industry experts before making business decisions related to IP leasing, IPv4 transfers, or related internet infrastructure matters. PubConcierge assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage, or business impact resulting from reliance on the information provided herein.

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