In a twist of fate that has captured global attention, James Howells, who accidentally discarded a hard drive containing nearly $800 million in Bitcoin back in 2013, has announced a new strategy to recover his lost fortune. Buried under the refuse at Docksway Landfill in Newport, Wales, this hard drive holds the private key to Howells’ Bitcoin wealth, which has grown significantly due to the cryptocurrency’s soaring value.
After years of unsuccessful legal battles with Newport City Council to search the landfill, Howells has now revealed on X his intention to buy the entire site. “I am considering purchasing a landfill site. Funding secured,” he stated, though he kept the source of the funding under wraps. This move follows a High Court judgment in January that dismissed his previous attempts to excavate the site, citing environmental concerns and the impracticality of such an operation.
The hard drive was mistakenly thrown away during a house clearance, believed to be empty by Howells. However, as Bitcoin’s value escalated from roughly $9 million to nearly $800 million, the importance of retrieving that drive became clear. The private key on the hard drive is essential for authorizing Bitcoin transactions, akin to a physical key or a signature in the digital realm.
The council has consistently opposed any excavation due to the environmental impact and the high costs involved, potentially running into millions without guaranteed success. Moreover, they have plans to close the landfill in the 2025/26 fiscal year, further complicating Howells’ quest. Despite these obstacles, Howells remains determined, hoping to turn this misfortune into a recovery story by potentially owning the very land where his digital fortune lies buried.
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