💰 Man Seeks to Purchase City Dump in Hopes of Recovering $750 Million in Lost Bitcoin
In a fascinating twist, James Howells, the British man who inadvertently discarded a hard drive containing 7,500 bitcoins in 2013, is now considering an ambitious move to buy the city dump where the device is believed to be buried. The hard drive's value has soared to nearly $750 million over the years, and Howells is determined to recover what he considers his lost fortune.
Howells, who accidentally threw away the device 12 years ago, has been tirelessly appealing to the local authorities in Newport for help in retrieving the hard drive. Despite numerous requests and several plans to sort through the waste in exchange for a share of the bitcoin if found, his efforts have been rejected by the city council. Officials have cited legal, environmental, and economic concerns as reasons for not supporting his search. A court also dismissed Howells' lawsuit, in which he sought either access to the landfill or compensation for his potential losses.
However, as news surfaced that the city landfill is set to close, Howells now sees an opportunity to purchase the site and conduct his own search. This news came as a surprise, as Howells had been under the impression that the site would remain open for a few more years. With the city council already planning to close the landfill and build a solar power plant on part of the land, Howells is now exploring the possibility of negotiating a purchase with investment partners. He sees this as a potential final chance to reclaim his fortune.
While the Newport City Council has not commented on Howells’ plans, city officials have previously argued that the hard drive became their property once it entered the landfill. Howells, however, remains hopeful that he may still be able to recover the device and the wealth that goes with it, despite the ongoing challenges and legal hurdles.