James Howells, a computer engineer from Newport, is once again working to recover a lost hard drive that contains 8,000 bitcoins, now valued at approximately £620 million, which he mistakenly discarded in 2013.
According to a report from the BBC, Howells is now contemplating purchasing the landfill where he believes the hard drive is buried, as Newport City Council is unwilling to grant him access.
Howells has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with the council, having previously sued for permission to search a landfill site or sought £495 million in compensation. A judge dismissed his case, stating it lacked legal merit. Despite this, Howells is determined to appeal and seek investors to buy the landfill potentially.
The council is planning to shut down and cap a landfill operational since the early 2000s, with closure scheduled for the 2025-26 financial year to make way for a solar farm that will power the city’s electric bin lorries. Howells argues this contradicts the council’s earlier claim that excavating the site would significantly disrupt the community.
Beyond the Bitcoin dispute, the landfill’s closure also carries financial implications for Newport City Council. Officials anticipate a revenue shortfall of £777,000 next year and £198,000 the following year due to the site’s shutdown. However, the city’s household waste recycling centre will remain operational, ensuring that waste management services continue despite the landfill’s impending closure.
In another parallel development, Bitcoin Depot expanded its holdings with a $5 million purchase, bringing its total to 71.5 BTC, valued at over $7 million. CEO Brandon Mintz emphasized the company’s belief in Bitcoin as a key financial asset, expecting long-term shareholder value appreciation. Founded in 2016, Bitcoin Depot has grown into the most prominent crypto ATM operator, with 8,213 kiosks across North America. Its growth culminated in a Nasdaq listing in July 2023 under the ticker BTM.
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