The Lost Bitcoin Hard Drive: A $740 Million Mistake
- James Howells accidentally threw out his hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin in 2013
- He lost the hard drive during a household clearout when it was mistakenly thrown away at the tip
- Howells has been in a 12-year battle to recover the lost hard drive from the landfill
James Howells has lost his legal battle to recover a lost Bitcoin hard drive from a Welsh landfill, now valued at around $740 million. The hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin was mistakenly discarded during a household clearout in 2013.
The $646 Million Lawsuit
In October, Howells sued Newport City Council for $646 million in damages after being denied access to the landfill where his hard drive is located due to environmental concerns. However, the judge has dismissed his case, citing no “reasonable grounds” for success in a full trial.
Years of Efforts
Howells has been trying to engage with Newport City Council for over a decade to retrieve his lost hard drive but claims to have been ignored by the authorities. Despite the potential economic benefits of recovering the Bitcoin, the council has refused to allow excavation due to environmental reasons.
The judge’s decision comes amidst a significant surge in Bitcoin value, reaching over $100,000 for the first time in December.
