James Howells Fights to Recover Lost Bitcoin Worth $800 Million

As a seasoned crypto investor with years of experience under my belt, witnessing stories like James Howells’ and Laszlo Hanyecz’s serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of this dynamic market. I can only imagine the gut-wrenching feeling of losing millions due to an oversight or a simple mistake. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially when you see Bitcoin reaching new heights and your fortune buried deep within a Welsh landfill.


Had it not been for James Howell’s girlfriend accidentally disposing of approximately 8,000 Bitcoins back in Newport, Mr. Howells could have amassed a staggering fortune worth around $800 million, given that Bitcoin reached $100,000 today.

On Monday, Howells made an appearance at a Welsh court to argue his case and conduct a search at the Newport landfill in hopes of finding his missing Bitcoins.

A Lost Bitcoin Fortune Buarried in Welsh Landfill 

At a civil court hearing in Cardiff on December 2nd, the council asked for Howells’ case to be thrown out. They claimed this because, according to their legal team, anything discarded at the landfill automatically becomes the council’s property.

They rejected Howells’ proposal to divide the retrieved assets, characterizing it as an attempt to buy what the council is not permitted by law to sell.

Instead, Armstrong’s legal team, headed by Dean Armstrong KC, argued that the search was a meticulously planned dig. Armstrong highlighted that the strategy is backed by professionals in data recovery and excavation, who are working on a contingent basis, receiving payment only upon the successful retrieval of the Bitcoin.

In a garbage dump of Newport, there’s an old hard drive containing approximately 8,000 Bitcoins, which is currently worth around $704 million. It’s said that James Howells is still searching through the trash for it today. This serves as a reminder that even with investing, mistakes may seem significant compared to the potential wealth tied up in such an asset.

A Series of Misfortune

In 2013, during an office clean-up, Howells unintentionally put his hard drive into a black garbage sack. Thinking it was waste, his coworker discarded the bag at the local landfill.

Upon recognizing my error, I quickly made my way to the Newport City Council, proposing a collaboration. I suggested that they allow me to excavate a portion of the site in exchange for a share of the misplaced Bitcoins. In fact, I offered them a generous 25% reward if they granted their approval for this digging endeavor.

Despite his repeated attempts, the council has persistently declined his proposals. If his proposal is turned down, Howells’ tale will become a notable instance of Bitcoin misfortune – much like the Bitcoin Pizza Day story.

Nevertheless, the tales of Howells and Hanyecz will live on as astonishing mishaps in the annals of digital assets. While there’s a slim chance that Howells might find his coins if the Welsh court grants permission to excavate the Newport council dump, it would be much like searching for a needle in a haystack or even a more daunting task.

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2024-12-06 05:25