James Howells, an IT engineer, has finally decided to end his years-long quest for a hard drive he accidentally threw away in 2013—one that held the keys to 8,000 Bitcoin. Back when he lost it, those coins were worth around $6.5 million, but today their value has soared to a staggering $950 million. The story has not only become a cautionary tale about digital assets but also a marker of just how much cryptocurrency can change lives—and sometimes, break hearts.
Howells made multiple efforts over the years to get permission from Newport City Council to dig through the landfill where the drive is believed to be buried. Despite hopeful proposals and even offers to share a portion of the Bitcoin's value with the community, he was never granted approval to excavate the site. Now, after more than a decade filled with frustration and what-ifs, Howells has decided it’s finally time to move on, leaving his digital fortune—and a chapter of Bitcoin lore—buried for good.