James Howells, a 39-year-old IT worker from Newport, South Wales, has spent over a decade trying to recover a hard drive containing thousands of Bitcoins. According to him, the drive was mistakenly tossed out by his ex-girlfriend in 2013, back when Bitcoin was just digital Monopoly money.
Now, with those lost coins worth over £600 million, Howells is determined to get them back—one way or another.
With Newport City Council planning to close and seal off the landfill in the 2025-26 financial year, time is running out. But rather than accepting defeat, Howells is considering an unconventional approach: outright purchasing the landfill before it’s shut for good.
Legal Setback? No Problem, Just Buy the Dump!
Last month, a judge threw out Howells’ lawsuit, in which he demanded either permission to excavate the site or a £495 million payout. The council had argued that digging up the landfill would be massively disruptive for Newport residents. However, as Howells wryly pointed out, they’re planning to close the site anyway.
“I expected it would shut down eventually, but I didn’t think it would happen this soon,” he remarked. “If the council is willing, I’d absolutely consider buying the site as-is.”
He added that discussions with investment partners are already underway, leaving the possibility of an all-out treasure hunt still very much on the table.
What’s Next?
Newport City Council has yet to respond, and whether Howells will get his hands on the land—or his lost millions—remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: this Bitcoin saga isn’t over yet.
This article was updated 6 hours ago
