A British man who accidentally lost a fortune in Bitcoin over a decade ago is now considering an extreme measure—buying the landfill where it’s buried.
The Background
James Howells, an IT engineer from Newport, claims his ex-girlfriend mistakenly threw away a hard drive in 2013, not realizing it contained 8,000 BTC. Today, that Bitcoin is worth an eye-watering $784 million. Ever since, Howells has been fighting for access to the landfill on Newport’s Docks Way, but local authorities have repeatedly denied his requests.
A New Plan: Buy the Landfill
After exhausting legal options, Howells is now talking to investors about purchasing the site outright, according to a BBC report.
“I have discussed this option recently with investment partners and it is very much on the table,” Howells told the BBC.
His efforts to retrieve the lost fortune haven’t gone smoothly. Over the years, he has petitioned Newport Council multiple times, but he says they have largely ignored him. In an attempt to force their hand, he sued the council for £495 million ($646 million)—the peak value of his Bitcoin holdings in early 2024. However, a judge dismissed the case in January.
Time Is Running Out
Newport Council hasn’t publicly commented on the matter, but they have other plans for the landfill. The site is set to close in the coming financial year, and there are already approved plans to turn it into a solar power farm.
With the clock ticking and legal avenues exhausted, buying the landfill might be Howells’ last hope of recovering his lost Bitcoin treasure.
