Man Offers to Buy Landfill to Recover $800 Million Bitcoin Key

Feb 13, 2025 at 9:29 PM

In a remarkable turn of events, James Howells, a computer science analyst from South Wales, is taking extraordinary measures to retrieve a hard drive containing a private key worth approximately $800 million in Bitcoin. The hard drive was accidentally discarded in 2013 and has since been buried in a landfill in Newport. Howell's latest proposal involves purchasing the entire landfill site to conduct an extensive search for the lost device before it closes permanently.

Howells' relentless pursuit of his lost fortune began when he realized the immense value of the Bitcoin wallet months after the mishap. Initially, he offered to fund the excavation process and share 25% of the recovered Bitcoin with the Newport City Council. Despite these offers, local authorities have remained skeptical, citing the improbability of success and environmental concerns. Nevertheless, Howells remains undeterred, proposing innovative solutions such as converting the cleaned-up landfill into a park or reusing it as a waste disposal site.

This story underscores the unpredictable nature of cryptocurrency investments and the lengths individuals may go to recover lost assets. It also highlights the importance of secure data management and the potential consequences of mishandling valuable digital information. Howell's determination serves as a reminder that perseverance can sometimes lead to creative problem-solving, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.