In 2013, James Howells threw out an old hard drive.
On it? 7,500 BTC — now worth $742 million.
12 years of legal battles.
Drones, AI-powered search plans, excavation proposals.
All to dig through trash in Newport, Wales.
Today, the hunt is officially over.
The fortune is lost.
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One wrong move.
One drive.
A lifetime of regret.
Bitcoin doesn’t care about mistakes.
Lose your keys, lose your coins — permanently.
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This isn’t just a story.
It’s a warning:
🧠 Not your keys, not your crypto.
🔒 Self-custody is freedom — and final.
💀 There are no second chances in crypto.
RIP 7,500 BTC
2013–∞