How an engineer’s search for his missing Bitcoins turned into a legal battle that lasted more than a decade.
James Howellsa computer engineer from the United Kingdom, lived through what may be one of the biggest disasters in modern cryptocurrency history. After investing in Bitcoin in its early stages, he lost a hard drive containing 8,000 units of the digital currency, valued in millions.
Over the course of a decade, Howells stopped fighting to find his lost treasure. However, the biggest obstacle has been the refusal of local authorities, who cite environmental and legal reasons for not allowing the search.
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The incredible story of James Howells
In 2013, James Howells, a young engineer, understood the value of Bitcoin long before most. Convinced of its potential, bought 8,000 units of this cryptocurrency for only $130 each. At that time, Bitcoin was an uncertain promise for many, but the Brit knew he was onto something big. By disassembling his computer, he saved the hard drive that contained the keys to access his cryptocurrencies.
A fatal error occurred when His then-partner unknowingly threw away the hard drive with all his digital savings in a trash bin.. This was simply sent to a landfill in Newport, Wales, where the engineer finally discovered that his fortune of more than 1 million dollars had been buried in tons of waste. Given the magnitude of what happened, Howells cHe contacted local authorities, requesting permission to excavate the landfill..
With the value of Bitcoin skyrocketing in the following years, the total loss figure reached 750 million dollars. This case not only caught the attention of the media, but also that of thousands of people who saw in it a lesson in how luck can change with a simple human error. Despite man’s desperation, The authorities did not agree to his request.
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Why authorities deny the search for the missing disk
Despite Howells’ tireless efforts, access to the Newport landfill was never authorized. For more than a decade, the man unsuccessfully requested the opportunity to search through the trash. Local authorities argued that Excavating a landfill of that magnitude could pose serious environmental risks. and that the operation could be very dangerous.
Furthermore, jurisdiction over waste was a complex issue. According to local legislation, The hard drive, having been discarded, belonged to the state, and not to its original owner. This meant that the effort to recover the Brinatico’s property not only faced logistical difficulties, but also legal ones.
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In the midst of this panorama, the 39-year-old man did not give up. He offered the city a share of the benefits of recoveryhoping that an economic incentive would encourage the authorities to collaborate. He even suggested using advanced technology like artificial intelligence to improve the odds of finding the puck. However, all his attempts were in vain.
In January 2025, the High Court of Wales dismissed his claim against Newport Council. The court concluded that the chances of finding the disk were minimal, and that environmental and legal complications took precedence over any search attempt.
Source: Ambito
