Early Bitcoin miner James Howells is considering the purchase of a landfill in South Wales where he claims a lost cryptocurrency fortune, now worth over £620 million, is buried.
Plans to Buy the Landfill
Despite a recent court dismissal, James Howells is contemplating the purchase of a waste landfill in Newport, South Wales, in a bid to locate a lost hard drive containing Bitcoin. This cryptocurrency, initially lost in 2013, is now valued at over £620 million.
History of the Lost Hard Drive
James Howells claims that a hard drive containing 7,500 BTC was accidentally discarded by his former partner in 2013. As a computer engineer, Howells mined these Bitcoins in 2009 when the currency was valued at mere pennies. He has repeatedly sought permission from Newport authorities to search the site, offering them a share of any found fortune.
Authorities' Response and Next Steps
In response to Howells' requests, Newport authorities petitioned the High Court to dismiss his claims, citing local laws that grant ownership of landfill contents to the council. Judge Andrew John Keyser KC rejected Howells' case, citing insufficient evidence and the passage of time since the alleged loss. Authorities plan to close the landfill during the 2025-2026 financial year and convert part of it into a solar farm.
James Howells remains hopeful about recovering his lost Bitcoin. He is considering escalating the case to the Supreme Court and has even considered buying the landfill. He projects that by 2026, the value of the lost Bitcoins could reach $1.2 billion if current trends continue.
