Man Seeks Lost Bitcoin Fortune, Plans to Purchase Landfill Believed to Contain It

James Howells, a British IT worker, has been on a quest for over ten years to locate a hard drive containing more than $700 million in Bitcoin that he mistakenly discarded. Howells had mined 7,500 Bitcoins in 2009 when the cryptocurrency was not worth much. As Bitcoin’s value surged, so did his desire to recover the lost hard drive. His search led him to believe it was in a landfill in South Wales operated by the city of Newport, buried under thousands of tons of waste.

Despite numerous attempts over the years, such as requesting permission to dig for the hard drive and offering the city a percentage of the proceeds in exchange for access to the landfill, Howells has been met with refusals and safety concerns. In a drastic move, he even proposed deploying robotic dogs from Boston Dynamics to excavate the landfill on his behalf. However, all of his plans were rejected by Newport city officials who expressed disinterest in his endeavors.

Frustrated by the lack of cooperation, Howells resorted to legal action, threatening and suing Newport’s city council for permission to search for the lost hard drive. Unfortunately, the court ruled against him, stating that his case had little chance of success. Undeterred, Howells announced his intention to purchase the landfill outright from the city, with plans to close and seal it permanently. While Howells remains devoted to his goal, the city’s response to his proposal remains unknown.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the success of his venture, Howells remains steadfast in his pursuit to find the hard drive, emphasizing his commitment to the cause. His persistence has been met with mixed reactions, with some admiring his dedication and others finding it somewhat bothersome. Regardless of the outcome, Howells’ unwavering determination serves as a testament to the lengths one man is willing to go to recover his lost fortune.