Techie Who Lost Bitcoin Worth 6,500 Crore Plans to Purchase Landfill Where He Believes It’s Buried
James Howells, a computer expert, is on a mission to recover his lost fortune of 8,000 Bitcoin, worth a staggering $775 million (nearly Rs 6,500 crores). His quest has led him to consider purchasing an entire landfill in South Wales, where he believes his hard drive containing the valuable Bitcoin is buried. This desperate attempt comes after a 12-year search and a recent high court defeat that denied him permission to search the landfill.
The Desperate Attempt to Recover Lost Bitcoin
With the council’s announcement of plans to close and cap the landfill, and even secure permission for a solar farm on part of the land, Howells’ chances of recovering his lost Bitcoin seemed bleak. However, by purchasing the landfill, he hopes to gain access to the site and finally retrieve his prized hard drive. The closure of the landfill came as a surprise to Howells, who had anticipated its closure in the coming years due to reaching 80-90% capacity, but not so soon.
In a statement regarding the closure of the landfill, Howells expressed his disappointment in the council’s decision. He mentioned that while they claimed allowing him to search the landfill would have a detrimental impact on the people of Newport, they were planning to close it anyway. This contradiction led Howells to consider purchasing the landfill as is, with discussions already underway with investment partners.
The Origin of the Misfortune
James Howells’ multimillion-dollar misfortune began in 2013 when his partner mistakenly threw away a hard drive containing the keys to his Bitcoin wallet. The hard drive, now buried under 100,000 tonnes of waste in a Newport landfill, remains inaccessible despite its increasing value. Halfina Eddy-Evans, the mother of Howells’ two teenage sons, explained that nearly a decade ago, she took the hard drive to the landfill in Newport as part of a cleanup at Howells’ request. She had no knowledge of the valuable contents inside and maintains that losing it was not her fault.
The Ongoing Search for Lost Bitcoin
Howells’ relentless pursuit to recover his lost Bitcoin has captured the attention of many, with his story gaining traction on social media and news outlets. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, including legal battles and the closure of the landfill, Howells remains determined to unearth his lost fortune. The potential purchase of the entire landfill as a last-ditch effort showcases his unwavering commitment to retrieving his valuable hard drive.
As the saga continues, the world watches with bated breath to see if James Howells will finally be able to recover his lost Bitcoin and potentially make one of the most remarkable comebacks in the world of cryptocurrency.