James Howells, a 39-year-old from Newport, Wales, has spent over a decade battling to retrieve a fortune he accidentally binned a hard drive holding 8,000 Bitcoins, now valued at more than £569 million.
The saga began in 2013 when Howells mistakenly discarded the hard drive during a decluttering session. Stored within it was his private key, essential for accessing the cryptocurrency. At the time, Bitcoin’s value was around £400 per unit, making the loss initially worth about £4 million. Today, each Bitcoin trades for over £62,000, and Howells estimates the total value of his holdings could reach £1 billion by next year.
Determined to recover his fortune, Howells has repeatedly petitioned Newport City Council to excavate the Docksway Landfill, where he believes the hard drive lies buried under 1.4 million tonnes of rubbish. Despite offering the council 25%, and later 10%, of the recovered Bitcoin to fund community projects, his requests have been consistently denied. The council cites environmental risks and licensing restrictions as reasons for refusing the excavation.
Frustrated by the lack of cooperation, Howells has initiated legal action, suing the council for £495 million. His legal team, backed by wealthy investors, aims to force the council to allow the recovery effort. Howells argues the council is unlawfully withholding his property and hindering his right to access it.
With Bitcoin recently hitting an all-time high following Donald Trump’s election victory in the US, Howells remains hopeful but resolute. “There’s an object worth $750 million (£593 million) in Newport, and the council won’t look for it,” he said. A Newport Council spokesperson stated the claim “has no merit” and confirmed the council’s intent to “vigorously resist” it. The case is set for a courtroom showdown in December.
