He threw away a disk with bitcoins. Now he wants to buy a landfill
Newport, United Kingdom – James Howells from Newport claims that in 2013 he accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 bitcoins. At that time, the cryptocurrency was not worth much, but today its value stands at approximately £620 million.
A past mistake with huge consequences
According to BBC, Howells believes that the lost disk could have brought him a fortune, as bitcoin—also known as a digital currency—has significantly increased in value over the past years. Although the cryptocurrency market is garnering growing interest today, accessing the site where the allegedly lost disk is believed to be located remains extremely challenging.
Dispute with local authorities
In light of this situation, Howells took legal action. His goal was to compel the city council to grant him access to the landfill, where he claims he could still recover his drive, or alternatively, to obtain compensation amounting to £495 million. However, the judge dismissed the lawsuit, arguing that too much time had elapsed between the loss of the drive and the filing of the claim.
Planned changes at the landfill
The matter becomes even more complicated in light of the local authorities’ plans. New administrative decisions foresee the closure of the landfill in the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The site, which already holds over 1.4 million tonnes of waste, has received permission for the construction of a photovoltaic farm. According to Howells, the pace of these changes is surprising. In court, city representatives argued that closing the landfill to allow for a search would have an “enormous harmful impact on the residents of Newport,” even as they continued planning its closure.
New prospects for Howells
Facing the situation, James Howells is not willing to give up. In addition to planning an appeal against the court's decision, he is also considering an entirely different solution—purchasing the landfill. “I would potentially be interested in buying the landfill,” Howells stated, adding that he had recently discussed this option with investment partners. Such an investment could provide him not only with the opportunity to recover the lost disk but also with control over the area, which might soon change its character with the construction of a photovoltaic farm.
What is bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, also known as a virtual or digital currency. As an entirely virtual means of payment, it does not have a physical form—there are no coins or banknotes. Although an increasing number of people and institutions are recognizing its potential, bitcoin still encounters limited acceptance among traditional retailers.