> Unfortunately you cannot simply HODL IPv4 because authorities can come over and take you blocks back if they are not used. Define "not used". I know several

> Unfortunately you cannot simply HODL IPv4 because authorities can come over and take you blocks back if they are not used. Define "not used". I know several LIRs that have in excess of /20s allocated to them, and do not advertise their ranges to the (Internet) DFZ, but instead use them on private interlinks between themselves and other third parties. The only requirement to be given address space by an RIR is a requirement for global uniqueness. Just because you don't see it on the Internet (or any other network you use), doesn't mean it's not in use. IPv4 is knocking on death's door, and the value will drop once the DoD gives (6 years) notice that they've migrated all their services to IPv6, thus making 10? /8s available for sale and: 1. flooding the market 2. proving that there's nothing left holding back to run an ipv6-only network, resulting in wide scale migrations for networks that haven't migrated yet.