AI Agents Drive New Surge in Scarce Internet IPv4 Addresses, Escrow.com Report Finds

SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, 2026 — A new report from Escrow.com says the rapid rise of autonomous AI agents is increasing demand for one of the internet’s most limited resources: IPv4 addresses. The report describes a fast-moving secondary market where prices are rising, large address blocks are being sold more quickly, and supply remains tight.

Why IPv4 Addresses Matter

Every internet-connected device needs a digital address to communicate online. IPv4 addresses, the older and still widely used internet addressing system, are limited to about 4.3 billion unique addresses. Because no new IPv4 addresses can be created, companies that need more capacity must often buy them from existing holders.

Escrow.com says demand has grown sharply as AI agents, cloud platforms, data centers, mobile networks, and broadband providers compete for available address space. The company’s new IPv4 Investment Index is designed to bring more transparency to a market that has often been difficult for the public to track.

AI Agents Add New Pressure to a Tight Market

The report points to agentic AI as a major reason for the latest demand spike. These systems can perform online tasks with less human direction, and many require internet infrastructure to operate at scale. As more businesses build and deploy AI agents, the need for reliable connectivity and address capacity may continue to increase.

According to the report, some brokers have seen more large IPv4 address blocks sell in a matter of weeks than during the previous year. Escrow.com also said Q1 2026 average deal size rose 66% year over year, while 522,000 IP addresses changed hands through its platform during the quarter.

A Market Worth Billions

Escrow.com estimates that the IPv4 secondary market has reached about $15 billion over the past eight years. Its new index is based on proprietary transaction data covering $536 million in completed deals across 82 countries. The company said this data may help buyers, sellers, investors, telecom operators, and technology firms understand pricing trends and market flows more clearly.

The report also highlights a record $43.1 million IPv4 transaction completed through Escrow.com in Q3 2024. In addition, it estimates that AWS holds around 191 million IPv4 addresses with an approximate value of $6.7 billion.

Government Broadband Funding Could Tighten Supply Further

Another factor is the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, known as BEAD. Escrow.com’s release says $22 billion in broadband infrastructure funding could create more demand from regional internet providers, especially as they expand service in rural areas.

Industry participants expect this funding to add pressure to an already limited supply. If broadband providers need more IPv4 blocks to support expansion, competition for available addresses could become stronger.

Specialist Brokers Search for Dormant Internet Assets

The report describes how IPv4 brokers search for unused or forgotten address blocks around the world. Some blocks were assigned decades ago to organizations that may no longer use them fully. Brokers then help confirm ownership, arrange transfers, and connect sellers with companies that need additional addresses.

Escrow.com also released a video investigation featuring interviews with IPv4 brokers, data center operators, address holders, and company executives. The company said the project aims to show how a little-known internet resource has become a major digital asset class.

Outlook for IPv4 Prices

Some brokers quoted in the report expect prices to rise further in 2026. One forecast mentioned in the release suggests certain large blocks could reach $20 per IP address by year-end, while midsize blocks may trade even higher. These predictions are not guaranteed, but they show how strongly some market participants view current demand.

For businesses, the message is clear: IPv4 planning is becoming more important. Companies building AI services, cloud platforms, telecom networks, and broadband systems may need to secure address resources earlier, budget more carefully, and consider long-term infrastructure needs.

Conclusion

Escrow.com’s new report highlights a major shift in internet infrastructure. AI agents are not only changing software and automation; they may also be reshaping demand for the digital addresses that keep the internet running. With limited supply, rising prices, and growing competition, IPv4 addresses are becoming an increasingly valuable part of the global technology economy.

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