Bitcoin Hunter Eyes Landfill Buyout to Reclaim $782M Fortune
James Howells, a computer engineer from Newport, is exploring an audacious strategy to recover his lost Bitcoin fortune—purchasing the very landfill where his hard drive is buried.
A Costly Mistake, A Relentless Pursuit
In 2013, an accidental disposal left Howells without access to 8,000 BTC, a sum now worth over £630 million ($782 million). His ex-girlfriend mistakenly discarded the drive, unknowingly sending it to the Newport landfill. Ever since, Howells has waged a legal and logistical battle to dig up the site in search of his missing wealth.
For over a decade, local authorities have blocked his efforts, citing environmental and logistical concerns. However, with the landfill set to close by the 2025-26 financial year, a new window of opportunity may have opened.
Buying the Landfill: A Bold Gambit
Faced with repeated denials, Howells is now weighing the possibility of outright buying the landfill, which houses an estimated 1.4 million tonnes of waste. He believes his hard drive is buried within 100,000 tonnes of that.
“I would be potentially interested in purchasing the landfill site,” Howells confirmed, revealing that he has already discussed the idea with investors. Ownership could eliminate bureaucratic red tape and grant him full control over excavation efforts.
Legal Battles and a Lingering Nightmare
Despite his persistence, Howells suffered a legal setback when the High Court rejected his latest claim, ruling it had “no realistic prospect” of success. He had sought either excavation rights or £495 million in damages, but the court sided with Newport City Council.
Undeterred, Howells hinted at appealing the ruling. “I lost, they won. Might appeal. See what happens,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s value continues to surge, making Howells’ loss all the more painful. One user on X summed up his predicament:
“James Howells is trapped in a never-ending nightmare—watching his fortune grow exponentially, knowing he may never touch it again.”
As Bitcoin trends toward new all-time highs, the question remains: Will Howells finally reclaim his long-lost millions, or will his digital treasure remain buried forever?