In brief
After years of negotiations with Newport City Council, James Howells is proposing to purchase the landfill where he believes his discarded Bitcoin hard drive lies, envisioning a dual purpose for the site—retrieving his crypto fortune and creating a clean green space for the community.
After a relentless twelve-year quest, James Howells has presented Newport City Council with a unique request: if he cannot excavate the landfill, let him purchase it. Howells believes that buried within the mountains of refuse is a hard drive containing a lost Bitcoin key, which he estimates to be worth around $800 million. His plan involves acquiring the landfill, using advanced A.I. technology to scan through tons of trash, and employing a specialized magnetic belt to detect any remaining metallic objects. “This seems logical,” he said, underscoring his commitment to unearthing the crypto treasure.Since accidentally discarding the hard drive in 2013, Howells has persisted in his attempts to gain access to the landfill, enlisting the help of specialists and mapping out the land. Unfortunately, his court endeavors have been unsuccessful, with the city refusing to grant him permission to dig. As the landfill prepares for permanent closure, Howells is desperate to make this last proposal a reality.“Seems like a better plan for me and the city,” he shared, imagining a revitalized park or reclaimed space in place of the landfill. If successful, the initiative could serve both as an opportunity for community renewal and personal redemption for Howells, as he hopes to not only recover lost wealth but also contribute positively to the city.
