Imagine misplacing a hard drive and realising years later it holds a fortune. That’s the reality for James Howells, a Welsh IT worker who accidentally threw away a drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins back in 2013. At today’s prices, that stash is worth an eye-watering $742 million.
The saga began when Howells mistakenly discarded the drive during a clear-out. It ended up in a landfill in Newport, Wales, and as Bitcoin’s value soared, so did his desperation to retrieve it. Over the years, he launched multiple recovery plans, including proposals to excavate the landfill using advanced technology and even offering millions in rewards to the local council.
Despite his efforts, the council repeatedly refused permission, citing environmental and logistical concerns. Howells explored everything from robotic dogs to AI-powered sorting systems, but the sheer scale of the task and legal hurdles proved insurmountable.
After 12 years of lobbying, planning and dreaming, Howells has finally conceded defeat. The hard drive, and its digital treasure, will remain buried beneath tonnes of waste. For him, the decision marks the end of a chapter that captured global attention and highlighted the risks of digital wealth.
While Bitcoin continues to make headlines for its volatility and potential, this story serves as a sobering reminder: in the world of crypto, a simple mistake can cost more than most people will ever earn in a lifetime.
