IPv6 adoption has become a national security issue, as countries slow to transition face cybersecurity risks and reduced digital autonomy due to IPv4 scarcity. As IPv6-only networks emerge, IPv4-dependent users risk slower internet access, creating a digital divide that could drive economic inequality. The transition represents a strategic lever for digital sovereignty in today’s tense geopolitical climate.
July 10th, 2025. In today’s increasingly tense geopolitical climate, the fragility of digital infrastructure is becoming more evident and concerning. Last year, a Chinese vessel damaged internet data cables in the Baltic Sea, and cybersecurity experts warn that the attempts to undermine the digital infrastructure are more common than ever. Add to this the historically high number of data breaches. In this unsettling context, IPv6 adoption is emerging not just as a technical upgrade but as a matter of national security and geopolitical strategy.
The cyber threat landscape in 2025 is shaped by increasingly sophisticated attacks, AI-powered cybercrime, and constant dangers to digital infrastructure. Cybersecurity experts worldwide discuss how even the most minor inefficiencies can be detrimental. For example, lagging in IPv6 adoption could expose nations to various strategic disadvantages related to digital infrastructure and connectivity, such as greater cybersecurity risks and reduced digital autonomy.
Nations slow to adopt IPv6 are typically more reliant on IPv4-based infrastructure, which can limit their autonomy in cyberspace, as IPv4 resources are scarce. For example, IPv4 scarcity leads to NAT (Network Address Translation) dependencies, which limit peer-to-peer connectivity essential for 5G, IoT, and edge computing.
Countries with insufficient IP resources rely heavily on foreign-owned cloud and network services, which weakens their digital sovereignty. This also creates significant digital trade barriers, as they are unable to participate in IPv6-enabled ecosystems fully. Additionally, IPv4 infrastructure makes countries more vulnerable to sanctions or disconnection from routing cables,” says Ramutė Varnelytė, the CEO of IPXO, the IP resource management platform.
The Threat of the Digital Divide
Many countries, including the U.S., China, Germany, Brazil, India, and others, are actively promoting IPv6 adoption in an effort to accelerate the advancement of their respective digital infrastructure. Governments and private entities alike are creating incentives, regulations, and support frameworks to drive the global shift from IPv4 to IPv6.
For example, India has already set a standard for widespread IPv6 adoption by having transitioned all of the government departments at the end of 2022. At the same time, China has been pursuing its ambitious target for IPv6 deployment, aiming to have at least 60% of internet traffic using it by the end of 2025. According to Varnelytė, such plans are essential for both the development of digital infrastructure and for achieving security advantages.
“IPv6 gives more opportunities to enable additional features, which is crucial in today’s climate of extensive cyber threats. But even more importantly, as IPv6-only networks emerge, they will potentially leave IPv4-dependent users with slower or degraded access to parts of the Internet. This sort of digital divide could drive economic inequality and hinder global trade. Not to mention leaving government systems more exposed to threats,” she says.
Failing to accelerate the adoption of IPv6 can severely limit a country’s digital infrastructure development. As each new connected device increases demand for IPs, the pre-existing IPv4 infrastructure cannot keep up. Consequently, such limitations act as a barrier to innovation. There is also a risk of obsolescence as the world transitions to IPv6; IPv4-only systems risk being deprecated in global routing.
“We have to understand that IP resources — and the protocols governing their use — are strategic levers. IPv6 is not just a technical upgrade; it’s a sovereignty enabler. In this transitional period, IP leasing plays a crucial role due to its ability to help businesses bridge the IPv4-to-IPv6 gap,” says Varnelytė.
About IPXO
IPXO is an Internet Protocol management platform that enables companies to monetize unused IP resources and alleviate the IPv4 shortage problem. IPXO offers IP reputation management and continuously collaborates with RIRs to develop innovative solutions that enhance industry transparency. The company’s vision is to set new benchmarks in efficient IP asset management and solve legacy problems with business-driven solutions.
