JamesHowells
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🚀James Howell’s Lost Bitcoin Wallet Now Worth Over $930 Million
— The Epic Quest to Recover a Digital Fortune 💰💾
Back in Bitcoin’s early days, James Howell was a true pioneer, mining around 8,000 Bitcoins when few believed in their value. But a costly mistake turned his fortune into a buried treasure — he accidentally threw away the hard drive containing his Bitcoin wallet, now resting deep in a Newport landfill. 🗑️🔒
The Early Days & The Costly Mistake
In 2009, Howell was among the first to run Bitcoin software and mine thousands of coins. By 2013, unaware of Bitcoin’s skyrocketing price, he discarded the hard drive holding his wallet — a decision that changed everything. 😞⚡
Race Against Time & Legal Roadblocks
As Bitcoin’s value soared during the 2013 bull run, James realized his lost wallet could be worth nearly $10 million. He reached out to Newport City Council and landfill operators but faced constant legal hurdles, with his attempts to recover the hard drive repeatedly blocked. 🏛️🚫
Is Recovery Still Possible?
Though the hard drive’s case likely suffered environmental damage, experts believe advanced forensic tech might still recover the digital data inside. Over 10 years, James offered a 25% share, a formal £25M offer, expert recovery teams, and legal action — but all were met with silence or rejection. 🔍💔
A New Hope: Ceiniog Coin & Community Power
Never giving up, James launched a bold new plan: tokenize the lost Bitcoin wallet by creating Ceiniog coin — a cryptocurrency that mirrors the exact amount of lost Bitcoin. This token will help fund excavation efforts by inviting the community to buy in. If successful, token holders could earn Bitcoin rewards from the recovered wallet! 💎📈
Ceiniog coin is more than a fundraiser — it’s a Bitcoin-focused DeFi utility launching late 2025, integrating with platforms like Stacks, Runes, and Ordinals. James aims to revive Bitcoin’s original purpose as peer-to-peer electronic cash, not just a store of value. 🔗🔥
Despite endless challenges, James Howell’s determination shines bright, sparking hope that this lost treasure may one day be reclaimed. 🌟✨
#LostBitcoin #JamesHowells #CeiniogCoin #BitcoinRecovery #CryptoCommunity $BTC
Back in Bitcoin’s early days, James Howell was a true pioneer, mining around 8,000 Bitcoins when few believed in their value. But a costly mistake turned his fortune into a buried treasure — he accidentally threw away the hard drive containing his Bitcoin wallet, now resting deep in a Newport landfill. 🗑️🔒
The Early Days & The Costly Mistake
In 2009, Howell was among the first to run Bitcoin software and mine thousands of coins. By 2013, unaware of Bitcoin’s skyrocketing price, he discarded the hard drive holding his wallet — a decision that changed everything. 😞⚡
Race Against Time & Legal Roadblocks
As Bitcoin’s value soared during the 2013 bull run, James realized his lost wallet could be worth nearly $10 million. He reached out to Newport City Council and landfill operators but faced constant legal hurdles, with his attempts to recover the hard drive repeatedly blocked. 🏛️🚫
Is Recovery Still Possible?
Though the hard drive’s case likely suffered environmental damage, experts believe advanced forensic tech might still recover the digital data inside. Over 10 years, James offered a 25% share, a formal £25M offer, expert recovery teams, and legal action — but all were met with silence or rejection. 🔍💔
A New Hope: Ceiniog Coin & Community Power
Never giving up, James launched a bold new plan: tokenize the lost Bitcoin wallet by creating Ceiniog coin — a cryptocurrency that mirrors the exact amount of lost Bitcoin. This token will help fund excavation efforts by inviting the community to buy in. If successful, token holders could earn Bitcoin rewards from the recovered wallet! 💎📈
Ceiniog coin is more than a fundraiser — it’s a Bitcoin-focused DeFi utility launching late 2025, integrating with platforms like Stacks, Runes, and Ordinals. James aims to revive Bitcoin’s original purpose as peer-to-peer electronic cash, not just a store of value. 🔗🔥
Despite endless challenges, James Howell’s determination shines bright, sparking hope that this lost treasure may one day be reclaimed. 🌟✨
#LostBitcoin #JamesHowells #CeiniogCoin #BitcoinRecovery #CryptoCommunity $BTC
💔 James Howells Finally Ends His 12-Year Search for 8,000 BTC Buried in Landfill
After more than a decade chasing what many called the world’s most expensive piece of e-waste, James Howells has officially ended his search for the hard drive that once stored the keys to 8,000 Bitcoin.
In 2013, the Welsh IT engineer accidentally threw the drive into a Newport landfill. Back then, the BTC was worth only a few thousand dollars. Today, that treasure would be valued at nearly $950 million.
Over the years, Howells tried everything, offering millions to local authorities, proposing AI-powered search operations, hiring environmental experts and even exploring robotic digging. He faced relentless legal, environmental and logistical barriers. Each plan was met with rejection or insurmountable costs.
This week, Howells confirmed what many feared: the physical excavation dream is over. The landfill has continued to expand over the years and the once-reachable layers of waste have now made recovery virtually impossible.
Though the Bitcoin remains lost beneath tonnes of rubbish, the story has cemented itself as one of crypto’s most legendary cautionary tales.
#Bitcoin #CryptoNews #JamesHowells #LostBTC
After more than a decade chasing what many called the world’s most expensive piece of e-waste, James Howells has officially ended his search for the hard drive that once stored the keys to 8,000 Bitcoin.
In 2013, the Welsh IT engineer accidentally threw the drive into a Newport landfill. Back then, the BTC was worth only a few thousand dollars. Today, that treasure would be valued at nearly $950 million.
Over the years, Howells tried everything, offering millions to local authorities, proposing AI-powered search operations, hiring environmental experts and even exploring robotic digging. He faced relentless legal, environmental and logistical barriers. Each plan was met with rejection or insurmountable costs.
This week, Howells confirmed what many feared: the physical excavation dream is over. The landfill has continued to expand over the years and the once-reachable layers of waste have now made recovery virtually impossible.
Though the Bitcoin remains lost beneath tonnes of rubbish, the story has cemented itself as one of crypto’s most legendary cautionary tales.
#Bitcoin #CryptoNews #JamesHowells #LostBTC
The Wild Twist of the “Unluckiest Man” Who Lost $900 Million in Bitcoin
After 12 years of treasure hunting in a landfill, James Howells has finally called it quits. But instead of surrendering, he’s flipping the script—turning tragedy into crypto and forcing the world to recognize the 8,000 lost bitcoins.
The Bold Twist: “If I can’t dig it up, I’ll tokenize it!”
“No, I’ve never truly given up,” Howells clarified. He explained that he’s merely abandoned the futile negotiations with the city council and the plan to buy back the landfill. Now, he’s shifting from a physical battle to a digital offensive.
This marks the moment when the story transforms from a personal tragedy into an unprecedented financial experiment. Howells’ new strategy hinges on a daring legal argument: “The city council may own the land and the physical hard drive, but they do not own the data inside. The 8,000 bitcoins are legally mine, and the law recognizes that.”
And he intends to enforce that ownership—not with excavators, but with blockchain technology.
Enter Ceiniog Coin
His new project is called Ceiniog Coin, a cryptocurrency built on Bitcoin’s layer-2 network. The plan is to tokenize the entire 8,000 lost BTC into 800 billion Ceiniog Coins. Each token will be pegged symbolically to one satoshi (the smallest unit of Bitcoin), directly reflecting the value of the buried treasure.
Put simply, Howells is declaring: “Since I can’t physically access the bitcoins, I’ll create a new asset that represents my legal ownership of them. That hard drive in the landfill will become the ultimate vault—one that no one can open, but everyone can see and trade ownership of its contents.”
This is a direct challenge to traditional legal and bureaucratic systems. Howells defiantly states: “To those gatekeepers who’ve blocked me for over a decade: You can shut the gates, bury the courts, but you can’t block the blockchain. Crypto has won.”
Ceiniog Coin: Genius Innovation or High-Stakes Memecoin?
Howells is attempting the seemingly impossible: turning 8,000 inaccessible bitcoins into a tradable form of value through Ceiniog Coin. If successful, this could be a groundbreaking precedent in the digital ownership of locked or disputed assets—redefining the boundaries of financial innovation.
What makes this coin unique isn’t just the massive BTC backing it, but the dramatic story behind it. In the crypto world, where emotion and belief often drive asset value, a compelling narrative can be more powerful than the technology itself.
And that may be the key: Ceiniog Coin could become the ultimate symbol of the memecoin era—a digital asset whose value is shaped by hype, belief, and the legend of a $900 million treasure buried deep beneath a landfill.
When the Story Is Worth More Than the Money
Ultimately, James Howells’ journey has transcended the realm of a simple asset loss. It’s become a classic lesson in the risks of self-custody, a prolonged battle between individual and authority, and now, a pioneering experiment in the divide between physical and digital ownership in the blockchain age.
The world will have to wait and see whether James Howells goes down in history as a genius who turned disaster into opportunity—or simply the unluckiest man in crypto, who found the most creative way to tell his tale of loss. Either way, he’s ensured that his story will never be buried.
#JamesHowells #BTC #Notcoin #CryptoIn401(k) #BTCUnbound
The Bold Twist: “If I can’t dig it up, I’ll tokenize it!”
“No, I’ve never truly given up,” Howells clarified. He explained that he’s merely abandoned the futile negotiations with the city council and the plan to buy back the landfill. Now, he’s shifting from a physical battle to a digital offensive.
This marks the moment when the story transforms from a personal tragedy into an unprecedented financial experiment. Howells’ new strategy hinges on a daring legal argument: “The city council may own the land and the physical hard drive, but they do not own the data inside. The 8,000 bitcoins are legally mine, and the law recognizes that.”
And he intends to enforce that ownership—not with excavators, but with blockchain technology.
Enter Ceiniog Coin
His new project is called Ceiniog Coin, a cryptocurrency built on Bitcoin’s layer-2 network. The plan is to tokenize the entire 8,000 lost BTC into 800 billion Ceiniog Coins. Each token will be pegged symbolically to one satoshi (the smallest unit of Bitcoin), directly reflecting the value of the buried treasure.
Put simply, Howells is declaring: “Since I can’t physically access the bitcoins, I’ll create a new asset that represents my legal ownership of them. That hard drive in the landfill will become the ultimate vault—one that no one can open, but everyone can see and trade ownership of its contents.”
This is a direct challenge to traditional legal and bureaucratic systems. Howells defiantly states: “To those gatekeepers who’ve blocked me for over a decade: You can shut the gates, bury the courts, but you can’t block the blockchain. Crypto has won.”
Ceiniog Coin: Genius Innovation or High-Stakes Memecoin?
Howells is attempting the seemingly impossible: turning 8,000 inaccessible bitcoins into a tradable form of value through Ceiniog Coin. If successful, this could be a groundbreaking precedent in the digital ownership of locked or disputed assets—redefining the boundaries of financial innovation.
What makes this coin unique isn’t just the massive BTC backing it, but the dramatic story behind it. In the crypto world, where emotion and belief often drive asset value, a compelling narrative can be more powerful than the technology itself.
And that may be the key: Ceiniog Coin could become the ultimate symbol of the memecoin era—a digital asset whose value is shaped by hype, belief, and the legend of a $900 million treasure buried deep beneath a landfill.
When the Story Is Worth More Than the Money
Ultimately, James Howells’ journey has transcended the realm of a simple asset loss. It’s become a classic lesson in the risks of self-custody, a prolonged battle between individual and authority, and now, a pioneering experiment in the divide between physical and digital ownership in the blockchain age.
The world will have to wait and see whether James Howells goes down in history as a genius who turned disaster into opportunity—or simply the unluckiest man in crypto, who found the most creative way to tell his tale of loss. Either way, he’s ensured that his story will never be buried.
#JamesHowells #BTC #Notcoin #CryptoIn401(k) #BTCUnbound
After 12 Years, James Howells Finally Gives Up on Recovering His $500 Million$BTC Bitcoin Hard Drive
After 12 long years of relentless efforts, James Howells — the man who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins — has finally given up on his mission to retrieve it.
In 2013, the Welsh IT engineer mistakenly discarded the hard drive during a routine house clean-up in Newport, Wales. At the time, Bitcoin was worth only a few hundred dollars. Today, those lost coins are valued at over $500 million, making it one of the most infamous personal losses in crypto history.
Howells spent more than a decade trying to persuade the Newport City Council to allow an organized excavation of the landfill where the hard drive is believed to be buried. His proposals included multimillion-dollar, high-tech recovery plans involving AI, robotic dogs, and expert dig teams — all self-funded and environmentally conscious.
Despite gaining global media attention and backing from private investors, the council consistently denied his requests, citing environmental, legal, and health concerns.
Now, after 12 years of rejection, financial stress, and emotional exhaustion, Howells has officially ended his search. In his own words, "I’ve done everything I can. It’s time to let go."
James Howells’ story stands as a legendary example of crypto’s unforgiving nature. His experience is a stark reminder that, in the world of decentralized finance, losing access to your private keys means losing everything — permanently.#JamesHowells
After 12 long years of relentless efforts, James Howells — the man who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins — has finally given up on his mission to retrieve it.
In 2013, the Welsh IT engineer mistakenly discarded the hard drive during a routine house clean-up in Newport, Wales. At the time, Bitcoin was worth only a few hundred dollars. Today, those lost coins are valued at over $500 million, making it one of the most infamous personal losses in crypto history.
Howells spent more than a decade trying to persuade the Newport City Council to allow an organized excavation of the landfill where the hard drive is believed to be buried. His proposals included multimillion-dollar, high-tech recovery plans involving AI, robotic dogs, and expert dig teams — all self-funded and environmentally conscious.
Despite gaining global media attention and backing from private investors, the council consistently denied his requests, citing environmental, legal, and health concerns.
Now, after 12 years of rejection, financial stress, and emotional exhaustion, Howells has officially ended his search. In his own words, "I’ve done everything I can. It’s time to let go."
James Howells’ story stands as a legendary example of crypto’s unforgiving nature. His experience is a stark reminder that, in the world of decentralized finance, losing access to your private keys means losing everything — permanently.#JamesHowells
💔 Buried Millions: The Man Who Spent a Decade Chasing a Digital Ghost
In 2013, James Howells — an IT engineer from Newport, Wales — made one fateful mistake.
He tossed an old hard drive into the trash…
That hard drive held 8,000 Bitcoin.
Today, that’s worth over $750 million.
With a single careless throw, he lost a fortune — and it never stopped haunting him.
🚧 10 Years of Obsession, Hope, and Heartbreak
For over a decade, James didn’t just regret the loss —
he relentlessly chased it.
He studied landfill maps.
He tracked waste management routes.
He spent years building an $11 million recovery plan using:
AI-powered drones
Robotic arms
Environmental crews
He promised to share 25% of the treasure with Newport.
He begged the city council for access.
But every request ended the same:
“Permission denied.”
Still, he kept going.
Rain, mud, rejection — nothing could stop the man chasing a digital dream buried in garbage.
⚖️ 2025: The Final Blow
This year, his last hope vanished.
The UK High Court officially ended the fight:
Even if James finds the drive — he has no legal right to retrieve it.
Ten years of passion, planning, and pain…
Gone.
“It’s finished. There’s nothing more I can do.”
— James Howells, 2025
🧠 A Heartbreaking Reminder
This is more than just a crypto story.
It’s a warning etched in heartbreak:
Bitcoin doesn’t forgive.
Lose your private key, and it’s gone forever.
One small mistake can cost you a lifetime of fortune.
James didn’t just lose money.
He lost time. Hope. Sleep.
And a piece of himself.
Guard your crypto. Guard it like your life.
Because some mistakes can never be dug back up.
#CryptoTragedy #JamesHowells #BuriedBitcoin #DigitalResponsibility $BTC
In 2013, James Howells — an IT engineer from Newport, Wales — made one fateful mistake.
He tossed an old hard drive into the trash…
That hard drive held 8,000 Bitcoin.
Today, that’s worth over $750 million.
With a single careless throw, he lost a fortune — and it never stopped haunting him.
🚧 10 Years of Obsession, Hope, and Heartbreak
For over a decade, James didn’t just regret the loss —
he relentlessly chased it.
He studied landfill maps.
He tracked waste management routes.
He spent years building an $11 million recovery plan using:
AI-powered drones
Robotic arms
Environmental crews
He promised to share 25% of the treasure with Newport.
He begged the city council for access.
But every request ended the same:
“Permission denied.”
Still, he kept going.
Rain, mud, rejection — nothing could stop the man chasing a digital dream buried in garbage.
⚖️ 2025: The Final Blow
This year, his last hope vanished.
The UK High Court officially ended the fight:
Even if James finds the drive — he has no legal right to retrieve it.
Ten years of passion, planning, and pain…
Gone.
“It’s finished. There’s nothing more I can do.”
— James Howells, 2025
🧠 A Heartbreaking Reminder
This is more than just a crypto story.
It’s a warning etched in heartbreak:
Bitcoin doesn’t forgive.
Lose your private key, and it’s gone forever.
One small mistake can cost you a lifetime of fortune.
James didn’t just lose money.
He lost time. Hope. Sleep.
And a piece of himself.
Guard your crypto. Guard it like your life.
Because some mistakes can never be dug back up.
#CryptoTragedy #JamesHowells #BuriedBitcoin #DigitalResponsibility $BTC
𝗧𝗵𝗲 $𝟰𝟬𝟬𝗠 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬
🗑️💸A true crypto tragedy…
Let me tell you about a man named 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀—a guy who accidentally threw away a hard drive with 𝟴,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗕𝗧𝗖 on it.
Yep. You read that right.
𝟴,𝟬𝟬𝟬. 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗶𝗻. 𝗚𝗼𝗻𝗲.
Today? That’s worth $𝟳𝟬𝟬+ 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡.
FOUR. HUNDRED. MILLION. DOLLARS.
𝗜𝗻 𝗔 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹.
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵, 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴.
Imagine mining Bitcoin back in 2009 like, “ LOL this internet money is funny ”..…and then throwing away the equivalent of a small country's GDP with your old USB cables.
𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁:
He knows exactly where the drive was tossed. He’s been begging the city to let him dig up the dump. He’s offered to give them a 𝗰𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲. He’s teamed up with 𝗔𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘀. All to search through 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵 for one stupid little hard drive.
But the city said:
“𝗡𝗮𝗵, 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘆.”
___________________
Bro. Messy? It's generational wealth sitting under banana peels.
A reminder that early crypto stories weren’t just about gains—they were also about 𝘂𝗻𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵... 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵.
So next time you misplace a USB stick? Just remember: You’re probably not losing half a billion bucks. (Probably.)
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆:
🧠 Back up your wallets.
🗑️ Never underestimate what’s in the trash.
#crypto #loss #JamesHowells
🗑️💸A true crypto tragedy…
Let me tell you about a man named 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀—a guy who accidentally threw away a hard drive with 𝟴,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗕𝗧𝗖 on it.
Yep. You read that right.
𝟴,𝟬𝟬𝟬. 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗶𝗻. 𝗚𝗼𝗻𝗲.
Today? That’s worth $𝟳𝟬𝟬+ 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡.
FOUR. HUNDRED. MILLION. DOLLARS.
𝗜𝗻 𝗔 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹.
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵, 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴.
Imagine mining Bitcoin back in 2009 like, “ LOL this internet money is funny ”..…and then throwing away the equivalent of a small country's GDP with your old USB cables.
𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁:
He knows exactly where the drive was tossed. He’s been begging the city to let him dig up the dump. He’s offered to give them a 𝗰𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲. He’s teamed up with 𝗔𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘀. All to search through 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵 for one stupid little hard drive.
But the city said:
“𝗡𝗮𝗵, 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘆.”
___________________
Bro. Messy? It's generational wealth sitting under banana peels.
A reminder that early crypto stories weren’t just about gains—they were also about 𝘂𝗻𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵... 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵.
So next time you misplace a USB stick? Just remember: You’re probably not losing half a billion bucks. (Probably.)
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆:
🧠 Back up your wallets.
🗑️ Never underestimate what’s in the trash.
#crypto #loss #JamesHowells
UK man who lost 8,000 $BTC in landfill says he hasn’t given up, pivots to tokenizing legal claim
James Howells, the man who has been hunting down his lost hard drive containing 8,000 $BTC , addressed circulating reports claiming that he has given up on his 12-year search.
In 2013, a British IT engineer accidentally threw out his hard drive containing Bitcoin he had mined a few years earlier, which ended up in a landfill site in Newport.
As bitcoin's value soared exponentially over the following years, Howells sought permission to excavate the landfill, only to have his request rejected by the regional council. Howells explored other options, such as using AI to help locate the hard drive. With today's bitcoin price of $114,231, Howell's lost hard drive is worth around $915 million.
Earlier this week, several social media posts emerged saying that Howells has officially ended his quest to recover the lost bitcoin.
"No, I have not 'given up," Howells told The Block via direct message on social media platform X. "The story going around is partially true, but not in the way it’s being framed."
Howells explained that on July 1, he made a formal offer of between $33 million and $40 million in value to acquire and excavate the Newport landfill site, sent to the Newport City Council's leader, legal team and a member of its parliament.
To raise funds for the acquisition, Howells had announced plans to launch an Ordinals-based token in October, representing 21% of the lost wallet's value.
Despite the sizable amount of the offer, Newport representatives have not replied or acknowledged the offer, according to Howells.
"So here’s where we stand — If they won’t sell, there’s no need for a token sale to buy the landfill," Howells said. "I am no longer pursuing the purchase of the landfill, I am no longer pursuing excavation or remediation, I am no longer pursuing dialogue with the council or its representatives."
#BTCRecovery #JamesHowells #btc #theblock #cryptominister
James Howells, the man who has been hunting down his lost hard drive containing 8,000 $BTC , addressed circulating reports claiming that he has given up on his 12-year search.
In 2013, a British IT engineer accidentally threw out his hard drive containing Bitcoin he had mined a few years earlier, which ended up in a landfill site in Newport.
As bitcoin's value soared exponentially over the following years, Howells sought permission to excavate the landfill, only to have his request rejected by the regional council. Howells explored other options, such as using AI to help locate the hard drive. With today's bitcoin price of $114,231, Howell's lost hard drive is worth around $915 million.
Earlier this week, several social media posts emerged saying that Howells has officially ended his quest to recover the lost bitcoin.
"No, I have not 'given up," Howells told The Block via direct message on social media platform X. "The story going around is partially true, but not in the way it’s being framed."
Howells explained that on July 1, he made a formal offer of between $33 million and $40 million in value to acquire and excavate the Newport landfill site, sent to the Newport City Council's leader, legal team and a member of its parliament.
To raise funds for the acquisition, Howells had announced plans to launch an Ordinals-based token in October, representing 21% of the lost wallet's value.
Despite the sizable amount of the offer, Newport representatives have not replied or acknowledged the offer, according to Howells.
"So here’s where we stand — If they won’t sell, there’s no need for a token sale to buy the landfill," Howells said. "I am no longer pursuing the purchase of the landfill, I am no longer pursuing excavation or remediation, I am no longer pursuing dialogue with the council or its representatives."
#BTCRecovery #JamesHowells #btc #theblock #cryptominister
🚨🚨 After 12 years, #JamesHowells , the man who accidentally threw away a hard drive with 8000 #bitcoin in 2013 (now worth $950M), has finally ended his search
#News #crypto $BTC
#News #crypto $BTC
UK man who lost 8,000 bitcoin in landfill says he hasn’t given up, pivots to tokenizing legal claim
James Howells, the man who has been hunting down his lost hard drive containing 8,000 BTC, addressed circulating reports claiming that he has given up on his 12-year search.
In 2013, a British IT engineer accidentally threw out his hard drive containing Bitcoin he had mined a few years earlier, which ended up in a landfill site in Newport.
As bitcoin's value soared exponentially over the following years, Howells sought permission to excavate the landfill, only to have his request rejected by the regional council. Howells explored other options, such as using AI to help locate the hard drive. With today's bitcoin price of $114,231, Howell's lost hard drive is worth around $915 million.
Earlier this week, several social media posts emerged saying that Howells has officially ended his quest to recover the lost bitcoin.
"No, I have not 'given up," Howells told The Block via direct message on social media platform X. "The story going around is partially true, but not in the way it’s being framed."
Howells explained that on July 1, he made a formal offer of between $33 million and $40 million in value to acquire and excavate the Newport landfill site, sent to the Newport City Council's leader, legal team and a member of its parliament.
To raise funds for the acquisition, Howells had announced plans to launch an Ordinals-based token in October, representing 21% of the lost wallet's value.
Despite the sizable amount of the offer, Newport representatives have not replied or acknowledged the offer, according to Howells.
"So here’s where we stand — If they won’t sell, there’s no need for a token sale to buy the landfill," Howells said. "I am no longer pursuing the purchase of the landfill, I am no longer pursuing excavation or remediation, I am no longer pursuing dialogue with the council or its representatives."
#BTCRecovery #JamesHowells #btc #theblock #cryptominister
James Howells, the man who has been hunting down his lost hard drive containing 8,000 BTC, addressed circulating reports claiming that he has given up on his 12-year search.
In 2013, a British IT engineer accidentally threw out his hard drive containing Bitcoin he had mined a few years earlier, which ended up in a landfill site in Newport.
As bitcoin's value soared exponentially over the following years, Howells sought permission to excavate the landfill, only to have his request rejected by the regional council. Howells explored other options, such as using AI to help locate the hard drive. With today's bitcoin price of $114,231, Howell's lost hard drive is worth around $915 million.
Earlier this week, several social media posts emerged saying that Howells has officially ended his quest to recover the lost bitcoin.
"No, I have not 'given up," Howells told The Block via direct message on social media platform X. "The story going around is partially true, but not in the way it’s being framed."
Howells explained that on July 1, he made a formal offer of between $33 million and $40 million in value to acquire and excavate the Newport landfill site, sent to the Newport City Council's leader, legal team and a member of its parliament.
To raise funds for the acquisition, Howells had announced plans to launch an Ordinals-based token in October, representing 21% of the lost wallet's value.
Despite the sizable amount of the offer, Newport representatives have not replied or acknowledged the offer, according to Howells.
"So here’s where we stand — If they won’t sell, there’s no need for a token sale to buy the landfill," Howells said. "I am no longer pursuing the purchase of the landfill, I am no longer pursuing excavation or remediation, I am no longer pursuing dialogue with the council or its representatives."
#BTCRecovery #JamesHowells #btc #theblock #cryptominister
The Programmer Who Lost 8,000 BTC: The Costliest Mistake in Crypto History
Back in 2009, James Howells, a technical engineer from Newport, UK, was an early explorer of Bitcoin—long before it made headlines. Using an old laptop, he mined around 8,000 BTC when Bitcoin was still a niche concept, virtually worthless and known only to a handful of tech enthusiasts.
The Critical Mistake: Tossing Away a Fortune
After mining, Howells saved the private keys to his digital wallet on an external hard drive. But in 2013, during a routine office cleanup, he mistakenly threw the drive out, believing it was junk. By the time he realized the blunder, it had already been buried in a local landfill.
What seemed like a small oversight quickly became a financial tragedy. As Bitcoin’s price skyrocketed, that discarded hard drive’s value soared — at its peak, worth over $480 million.
The Recovery Mission: Millions Buried in the Trash
Since then, Howells has spent years trying to get permission from the Newport City Council to dig up the landfill. He’s proposed high-tech, multi-million dollar excavation projects, collaborated with AI and data recovery experts, and secured private backing — but local authorities continue to block his efforts.
The Takeaway
James Howells’ story is a powerful reminder for every crypto investor:
Lose your keys, lose your coins.
In the world of digital assets, security isn’t just important — it’s everything.
#CryptoHistory #bitcoin #JamesHowells #LostBTC #Write2Earn
The Critical Mistake: Tossing Away a Fortune
After mining, Howells saved the private keys to his digital wallet on an external hard drive. But in 2013, during a routine office cleanup, he mistakenly threw the drive out, believing it was junk. By the time he realized the blunder, it had already been buried in a local landfill.
What seemed like a small oversight quickly became a financial tragedy. As Bitcoin’s price skyrocketed, that discarded hard drive’s value soared — at its peak, worth over $480 million.
The Recovery Mission: Millions Buried in the Trash
Since then, Howells has spent years trying to get permission from the Newport City Council to dig up the landfill. He’s proposed high-tech, multi-million dollar excavation projects, collaborated with AI and data recovery experts, and secured private backing — but local authorities continue to block his efforts.
The Takeaway
James Howells’ story is a powerful reminder for every crypto investor:
Lose your keys, lose your coins.
In the world of digital assets, security isn’t just important — it’s everything.
#CryptoHistory #bitcoin #JamesHowells #LostBTC #Write2Earn
🚨BREAKING:🚨
JAMES HOWELLS HAS FINALLY GIVEN UP HIS SEARCH FOR THE HARD DRIVE HE ACCIDENTALLY THREW AWAY IN 2013 THAT HELD 8,000 BITCOIN, NOW WORTH $950 MILLION
$BTC #JamesHowells #BinanceHODLerTOWNS #FOMCMeeting
$BTC
$ETH
JAMES HOWELLS HAS FINALLY GIVEN UP HIS SEARCH FOR THE HARD DRIVE HE ACCIDENTALLY THREW AWAY IN 2013 THAT HELD 8,000 BITCOIN, NOW WORTH $950 MILLION
$BTC #JamesHowells #BinanceHODLerTOWNS #FOMCMeeting
$BTC
$ETH
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🗑️💸 James Howells does not give up
The Brit who lost 8,000 BTC in a landfill in 2013 —now valued at over $900 million— is changing strategy.
🔍 The new:
• After years of failed attempts to excavate the Newport landfill, Howells now plans to tokenize his legal claim.
• He will launch a smart token called Ceiniog Coin (INI) on a Bitcoin layer 2.
• This token will represent his legal ownership of the lost BTC, even though the municipal council owns the physical hard drive.
🎯 Goal:
• Create a Web3 ecosystem backed by the 8,000 BTC.
• Leverage future updates of the Bitcoin network.
• Expected launch: after October, with an ICO later on.
This twist turns a story of loss into a narrative of legal and blockchain innovation.
#BinanceSquare #Binance #JamesHowells #Write2Earn #BinanceSquareTalks
The Brit who lost 8,000 BTC in a landfill in 2013 —now valued at over $900 million— is changing strategy.
🔍 The new:
• After years of failed attempts to excavate the Newport landfill, Howells now plans to tokenize his legal claim.
• He will launch a smart token called Ceiniog Coin (INI) on a Bitcoin layer 2.
• This token will represent his legal ownership of the lost BTC, even though the municipal council owns the physical hard drive.
🎯 Goal:
• Create a Web3 ecosystem backed by the 8,000 BTC.
• Leverage future updates of the Bitcoin network.
• Expected launch: after October, with an ICO later on.
This twist turns a story of loss into a narrative of legal and blockchain innovation.
#BinanceSquare #Binance #JamesHowells #Write2Earn #BinanceSquareTalks
💸 After 12 years, James Howells is giving up the hunt for his lost hard drive with 8,000 BTC (~$950M 😱).
He accidentally tossed it in 2013 and begged Newport city to help search the landfill. They refused. Now the crypto treasure is officially gone forever. 💀💾
#Bitcoin #Crypto #LostTreasure #JamesHowells $BTC
He accidentally tossed it in 2013 and begged Newport city to help search the landfill. They refused. Now the crypto treasure is officially gone forever. 💀💾
#Bitcoin #Crypto #LostTreasure #JamesHowells $BTC
💸 UK Man Who Lost 8,000 BTC in Landfill Says: “I Haven’t Given Up”
Remember James Howells — the British man who accidentally threw away a hard drive with 8,000 BTC back in 2013?
That drive is now worth around $915 million at today’s Bitcoin price ($114,231), and it's buried somewhere in a landfill in Newport, Wales.
📉 Lost, But Not Forgotten
Howells mined the BTC years ago but mistakenly tossed the drive during a home clean-up.
Since then, he’s spent over a decade trying to get permission to dig it up — but local officials keep saying no.
🤖 From AI to Tokenization
He’s tried AI tech to help locate it.
He even offered $33M–$40M to buy and dig the site.
In October, he planned to launch a token (based on Bitcoin Ordinals) tied to 21% of the lost wallet’s value to raise funds.
But…
👉 The Newport Council didn’t respond.
🚫 Not Giving Up, Just Switching Tactics
Despite rumors online, Howells says he hasn’t given up.
🔊 “I’m just no longer trying to buy or dig the landfill,” he said.
He’s stopped negotiations with the council — but still has other plans in the works.
🔮 What’s Next?
James may be done with the landfill, but he’s not done with the mission to recover the value of his BTC.
We’ll be watching to see what he does with his token idea and whether his Bitcoin ever makes a comeback.
💬 Would you buy a token linked to this lost BTC story?
#BTCRecovery #JamesHowells #BitcoinLost #CryptoHistory #BTC
$BTC
That drive is now worth around $915 million at today’s Bitcoin price ($114,231), and it's buried somewhere in a landfill in Newport, Wales.
📉 Lost, But Not Forgotten
Howells mined the BTC years ago but mistakenly tossed the drive during a home clean-up.
Since then, he’s spent over a decade trying to get permission to dig it up — but local officials keep saying no.
🤖 From AI to Tokenization
He’s tried AI tech to help locate it.
He even offered $33M–$40M to buy and dig the site.
In October, he planned to launch a token (based on Bitcoin Ordinals) tied to 21% of the lost wallet’s value to raise funds.
But…
👉 The Newport Council didn’t respond.
🚫 Not Giving Up, Just Switching Tactics
Despite rumors online, Howells says he hasn’t given up.
🔊 “I’m just no longer trying to buy or dig the landfill,” he said.
He’s stopped negotiations with the council — but still has other plans in the works.
🔮 What’s Next?
James may be done with the landfill, but he’s not done with the mission to recover the value of his BTC.
We’ll be watching to see what he does with his token idea and whether his Bitcoin ever makes a comeback.
💬 Would you buy a token linked to this lost BTC story?
#BTCRecovery #JamesHowells #BitcoinLost #CryptoHistory #BTC
$BTC
From Trash to Treasure: The $450 Million Bitcoin Blunder 🗑️💻💸
James Howells, an IT guy from Newport, Wales, made a mistake in 2013 that turned him into the star of one of the most expensive trash stories ever. He threw away an old hard drive. The problem? It contained 7,500 Bitcoins! Back then, Bitcoin was worth just a few dollars, so no big deal, right? Fast forward to 2021, and that trash drive was worth $450 million! 💸😱 Imagine tossing out a pizza and realizing years later it was actually a gold mine. 🍕
The Great Landfill Hunt 🕵️♂️⛏️
When Howells realized his mistake, he sprang into action. He asked the local council for permission to dig up the Newport landfill. But the authorities said, “Nope, you can’t dig here! It’s bad for the environment!” 🌍🚫 Howells probably thought, “$450 million for a little digging? Why is this such a big deal?” 🤷♂️🗑️
He even proposed using AI and robotic digging equipment to minimize environmental impact. But the landfill was massive, and finding the drive was like searching for a needle in a haystack. 🧐🔍 Still, Howells hasn’t given up hope. Maybe one day, technology will save the day! 🤖✨
The Most Expensive Trash Story in the Digital Age 💾💔
This story is a perfect example of how digital assets can have real-world value. Howells’ ordeal teaches us a valuable lesson: Secure your digital assets, or you might end up digging through a landfill for your lost fortune! 🛡️💻
#Bitcoin #JamesHowells 
The Great Landfill Hunt 🕵️♂️⛏️
When Howells realized his mistake, he sprang into action. He asked the local council for permission to dig up the Newport landfill. But the authorities said, “Nope, you can’t dig here! It’s bad for the environment!” 🌍🚫 Howells probably thought, “$450 million for a little digging? Why is this such a big deal?” 🤷♂️🗑️
He even proposed using AI and robotic digging equipment to minimize environmental impact. But the landfill was massive, and finding the drive was like searching for a needle in a haystack. 🧐🔍 Still, Howells hasn’t given up hope. Maybe one day, technology will save the day! 🤖✨
The Most Expensive Trash Story in the Digital Age 💾💔
This story is a perfect example of how digital assets can have real-world value. Howells’ ordeal teaches us a valuable lesson: Secure your digital assets, or you might end up digging through a landfill for your lost fortune! 🛡️💻
#Bitcoin #JamesHowells 
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The Man Who Lost 8,000 BTC in a Landfill Now Wants to Buy the Entire Land to Retrieve His Assets
#JamesHowells , a British computer engineer, lost 8,000 Bitcoins in a landfill in Newport, Wales, 11 years ago. This amount of BTC is currently worth about 780 million USD, and he has spent over a decade trying to find a way to dig up the buried hard drive.
Failed "Gold Digging" Plan
Howells has repeatedly sought permission from the Newport city authorities to search for the hard drive, but has been denied each time. The reason given is that excavating the landfill could pose environmental risks and disrupt city operations.
Failed "Gold Digging" Plan
Howells has repeatedly sought permission from the Newport city authorities to search for the hard drive, but has been denied each time. The reason given is that excavating the landfill could pose environmental risks and disrupt city operations.
James Howells Ends Hunt for Lost $742M Bitcoin — What’s Next?
After 12 years, James Howells has officially given up his search for the hard drive with 8,000 lost Bitcoins—worth over $740 million today! Despite numerous attempts and big hopes, local authorities blocked recovery efforts, calling it a no-go.
This story is a powerful reminder: always back up your crypto safely! Losing access means losing everything, no matter the value.
What’s your take? Should there be more support for crypto recovery missions, or is this just a tough lesson for all of us? Drop your thoughts below!
#LostBitcoin #JamesHowells #CryptoLessons #BinanceSquare #TrumpVsMusk
$BTC $ETH $SOL
After 12 years, James Howells has officially given up his search for the hard drive with 8,000 lost Bitcoins—worth over $740 million today! Despite numerous attempts and big hopes, local authorities blocked recovery efforts, calling it a no-go.
This story is a powerful reminder: always back up your crypto safely! Losing access means losing everything, no matter the value.
What’s your take? Should there be more support for crypto recovery missions, or is this just a tough lesson for all of us? Drop your thoughts below!
#LostBitcoin #JamesHowells #CryptoLessons #BinanceSquare #TrumpVsMusk
$BTC $ETH $SOL
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The Digital Tragedy of James Howells: When the Future Was Buried in a Landfill
Twelve years of obsession, millions lost, and a brutal lesson about the fragility of digital wealth. The story of James Howells, the Welsh engineer who unknowingly threw away a hard drive with 8,000 bitcoins (now valued at 742 million euros) in 2013, has come to an end. His battle against bureaucracy, technology, and time culminates in a bitter defeat, symbolizing the inherent risks of cryptocurrencies: where a trivial mistake can bury a fortune.
Howells, a visionary pioneer who accumulated $BTC when it was worth cents, made a catastrophic slip by discarding the device during a routine cleaning. Since then, his life has become a quixotic odyssey: proposals for excavation with drones and AI, profit-sharing offers with the Newport city council, and legal battles. But authorities blocked his efforts, citing environmental risks and the practical impossibility of sifting through 15,000 tons of waste.
Howells, a visionary pioneer who accumulated $BTC when it was worth cents, made a catastrophic slip by discarding the device during a routine cleaning. Since then, his life has become a quixotic odyssey: proposals for excavation with drones and AI, profit-sharing offers with the Newport city council, and legal battles. But authorities blocked his efforts, citing environmental risks and the practical impossibility of sifting through 15,000 tons of waste.
💰 After 12 Years, the Man Who Lost $742M in Bitcoin Gets a Surprising Ending
The story of James Howells isn't over just yet…
Back in 2013, James Howells, an IT specialist from Newport, UK, accidentally threw away an old hard drive. It wasn’t just any drive—it contained the private keys to a wallet holding 8,000 Bitcoins, worth roughly $8 million at the time.
Fast forward to 2025, and those same coins would now be worth a jaw-dropping $742 million. Realizing the magnitude of the loss, Howells launched a relentless mission to recover the hard drive from a local landfill—complete with drones, AI scanning, and robotic diggers.
But his plans hit a wall. 🚫
Local authorities rejected the operation, citing environmental risks—including potential toxic gas releases and soil contamination. British law also complicated things: anything discarded in a landfill becomes property of the site. Courts ultimately ruled against excavation, arguing the drive likely deteriorated beyond recovery.
Just when the story seemed over, it took an unexpected twist.
🎬 A Los Angeles-based production company has acquired the rights to turn James’ saga into a documentary series, podcast, and short-form videos, all under the title:
“The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells.”
Now, instead of digging through a landfill, Howells is telling his story to the world. “This project is a way to show my journey and inspire others,” he shared. “And no—I haven’t given up.”
---
🔍 Moral of the story?
In crypto and in life, one lost file can cost a fortune—but persistence and storytelling might just turn loss into legacy.
🎥 Would you watch The Buried Bitcoin?
$BTC
$ETH
$BNB
#BigTechStablecoin #TrumpVsMusk #JamesHowells #TrumpTariffs #SaylorBTCPurchase
The story of James Howells isn't over just yet…
Back in 2013, James Howells, an IT specialist from Newport, UK, accidentally threw away an old hard drive. It wasn’t just any drive—it contained the private keys to a wallet holding 8,000 Bitcoins, worth roughly $8 million at the time.
Fast forward to 2025, and those same coins would now be worth a jaw-dropping $742 million. Realizing the magnitude of the loss, Howells launched a relentless mission to recover the hard drive from a local landfill—complete with drones, AI scanning, and robotic diggers.
But his plans hit a wall. 🚫
Local authorities rejected the operation, citing environmental risks—including potential toxic gas releases and soil contamination. British law also complicated things: anything discarded in a landfill becomes property of the site. Courts ultimately ruled against excavation, arguing the drive likely deteriorated beyond recovery.
Just when the story seemed over, it took an unexpected twist.
🎬 A Los Angeles-based production company has acquired the rights to turn James’ saga into a documentary series, podcast, and short-form videos, all under the title:
“The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells.”
Now, instead of digging through a landfill, Howells is telling his story to the world. “This project is a way to show my journey and inspire others,” he shared. “And no—I haven’t given up.”
---
🔍 Moral of the story?
In crypto and in life, one lost file can cost a fortune—but persistence and storytelling might just turn loss into legacy.
🎥 Would you watch The Buried Bitcoin?
$BTC
$ETH
$BNB
#BigTechStablecoin #TrumpVsMusk #JamesHowells #TrumpTariffs #SaylorBTCPurchase
🚨 LOST $765M IN BITCOIN? UK COURT SAYS NO DIGGING! 😱💰
Imagine accidentally throwing away a hard drive containing 8,000 BTC—now worth a jaw-dropping $765 MILLION! 🤯 That’s exactly what happened to James Howells, an IT specialist from Wales. But after 11 years of legal battles, the UK Court of Appeals just shut him down AGAIN! 🚫⛔
💥 Why the Denial?
🔹 Local authorities claim that digging up the landfill would cause environmental risks and legal chaos. 🌍⚖️
🔹 Howells argues this is a massive injustice and is now taking his fight to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)—his last hope! ⚡
🔥 What Happens Next?
Will the ECHR step in and finally give him the green light to dig? 🏗️ Or will his lost Bitcoin fortune stay buried forever? 😨💸
💬 Do you think he should be allowed to search for his lost BTC? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️🔥
#LostBitcoin #CryptoDrama #BTC #JamesHowells #Bitcoin
💥 Why the Denial?
🔹 Local authorities claim that digging up the landfill would cause environmental risks and legal chaos. 🌍⚖️
🔹 Howells argues this is a massive injustice and is now taking his fight to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)—his last hope! ⚡
🔥 What Happens Next?
Will the ECHR step in and finally give him the green light to dig? 🏗️ Or will his lost Bitcoin fortune stay buried forever? 😨💸
💬 Do you think he should be allowed to search for his lost BTC? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️🔥
#LostBitcoin #CryptoDrama #BTC #JamesHowells #Bitcoin
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