A man known as James Howells, a British citizen, has concluded his efforts to find the hard drive containing 7,500 bitcoins, which are now valued at approximately $742 million (equivalent to about RM3.5 billion based on current exchange rates). This incident began in 2013 when he accidentally discarded the hard drive into a trash bin at a landfill in Newport, Wales. The news has garnered international attention due to the significant value of the bitcoin involved and Howells' long efforts to recover it.

Case Background

James Howells, an IT engineer, began mining bitcoin in 2009 when this digital currency was still new and relatively unknown. He successfully mined 7,500 bitcoins using his personal computer, which at the time was worth only a few hundred dollars. The bitcoins were stored on a hard drive, but in 2013, while cleaning up his home, his partner accidentally threw the hard drive into a landfill in Newport. At that time, the value of bitcoin was still low, so the loss was not considered significant.

However, as the value of bitcoin soared in the following years, especially in 2017 and beyond, Howells realized that the lost hard drive contained extraordinary wealth. At the peak market value of bitcoin (around $69,000 for one bitcoin in November 2021), the 7,500 bitcoins were worth over $500 million, and now in 2025, their value has reached $742 million.

Efforts to Recover the Hard Drive

Since realizing the loss, Howells has launched various efforts to recover the hard drive. Among the steps he has taken include:

1. Search Proposal at the Landfill Site: Howells sought permission from the Newport City Council to excavate the landfill site in the area believed to contain the hard drive. He offered to fund the excavation operation himself and also share part of the bitcoin value found with the local authorities as an incentive. However, his application was repeatedly rejected on grounds of environmental concerns, high operational costs, and safety risks.

2. High-Tech Search Plan: Howells proposed the use of advanced technology such as robots and filtering systems to search for the hard drive among millions of tons of waste. He also planned to involve experts in waste disposal and detection technology to facilitate the process. However, this proposal did not receive support from the authorities.

3. Investor Support: At one point, Howells gained support from investors interested in financing the search efforts with hopes of obtaining a share of the bitcoin found. However, without permission from the city council, this effort could not proceed.

4. Media Appeal and Publicity: Howells used media platforms to draw the world's attention to his story, hoping that public pressure would influence the authorities to allow the excavation. His story has been widely reported by international media, making it one of the most famous stories related to bitcoin.

Decision to Conclude the Search

After 12 years of struggling with bureaucracy, high costs, and logistical challenges, Howells finally announced that he was concluding his efforts to find the hard drive. Although he did not detail the reasons for this decision, it is likely that factors such as emotional exhaustion, lack of progress, and significant financial costs played a role. He may have also realized that the chances of finding the hard drive in a working condition after years in a landfill were very slim.

Implications and Lessons

James Howells' story serves as an important lesson in the world of cryptocurrency:

- Storage Security: This incident highlights the importance of securely storing private keys and digital assets, such as using hardware wallets or keeping copies of keys in safe locations.

- Bitcoin Volatility: The fluctuating value of bitcoin indicates the potential for significant profits, but also the risk of loss if the assets are not managed well.

- Logistical Challenges: Modern landfills contain millions of tons of waste, making the search for small items like hard drives nearly impossible without significant costs and resources.

Current Status

As of June 2025, the hard drive remains unfound, and the value of bitcoin continues to fluctuate according to the market. Although Howells has concluded his search, his story remains one of the most intriguing tales in cryptocurrency history, highlighting the opportunities and risks that exist within this technology.