jameshowells
330,942 views
51 Discussing
Hot
Latest
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ $๐ฐ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ
๐๏ธ๐ธA true crypto tragedyโฆ
Let me tell you about a man named ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐น๐น๐โa guy who accidentally threw away a hard drive with ๐ด,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ on it.
Yep. You read that right.
๐ด,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ. ๐๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐ถ๐ป. ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ.
Today? Thatโs worth $๐ณ๐ฌ๐ฌ+ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ก.
FOUR. HUNDRED. MILLION. DOLLARS.
๐๐ป ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ณ๐ถ๐น๐น.
๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐๐ฆ๐ธ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต, ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐ด.
Imagine mining Bitcoin back in 2009 like, โ LOL this internet money is funny โ..โฆand then throwing away the equivalent of a small country's GDP with your old USB cables.
๐ฃ๐น๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐๐:
He knows exactly where the drive was tossed. Heโs been begging the city to let him dig up the dump. Heโs offered to give them a ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ. Heโs teamed up with ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐, ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐๐, ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐. All to search through ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ต for one stupid little hard drive.
But the city said:
โ๐ก๐ฎ๐ต, ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐๐.โ
___________________
Bro. Messy? It's generational wealth sitting under banana peels.
A reminder that early crypto stories werenโt just about gainsโthey were also about ๐๐ป๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐น๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ, ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต... ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ต.
So next time you misplace a USB stick? Just remember: Youโre probably not losing half a billion bucks. (Probably.)
๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐:
๐ง Back up your wallets.
๐๏ธ Never underestimate whatโs in the trash.
#crypto #loss #JamesHowells
๐๏ธ๐ธA true crypto tragedyโฆ
Let me tell you about a man named ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐น๐น๐โa guy who accidentally threw away a hard drive with ๐ด,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ on it.
Yep. You read that right.
๐ด,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ. ๐๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐ถ๐ป. ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ.
Today? Thatโs worth $๐ณ๐ฌ๐ฌ+ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ก.
FOUR. HUNDRED. MILLION. DOLLARS.
๐๐ป ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ณ๐ถ๐น๐น.
๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐๐ฆ๐ธ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต, ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐ด.
Imagine mining Bitcoin back in 2009 like, โ LOL this internet money is funny โ..โฆand then throwing away the equivalent of a small country's GDP with your old USB cables.
๐ฃ๐น๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐๐:
He knows exactly where the drive was tossed. Heโs been begging the city to let him dig up the dump. Heโs offered to give them a ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ. Heโs teamed up with ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐, ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐๐, ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐. All to search through ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ต for one stupid little hard drive.
But the city said:
โ๐ก๐ฎ๐ต, ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐๐.โ
___________________
Bro. Messy? It's generational wealth sitting under banana peels.
A reminder that early crypto stories werenโt just about gainsโthey were also about ๐๐ป๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐น๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ, ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต... ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ต.
So next time you misplace a USB stick? Just remember: Youโre probably not losing half a billion bucks. (Probably.)
๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐:
๐ง Back up your wallets.
๐๏ธ Never underestimate whatโs in the trash.
#crypto #loss #JamesHowells
๐ Buried Millions: The Man Who Spent a Decade Chasing a Digital Ghost
In 2013, James Howells โ an IT engineer from Newport, Wales โ made one fateful mistake.
He tossed an old hard drive into the trashโฆ
That hard drive held 8,000 Bitcoin.
Today, thatโs worth over $750 million.
With a single careless throw, he lost a fortune โ and it never stopped haunting him.
๐ง 10 Years of Obsession, Hope, and Heartbreak
For over a decade, James didnโt just regret the loss โ
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:
โPermission denied.โ
Still, he kept going.
Rain, mud, rejection โ nothing could stop the man chasing a digital dream buried in garbage.
โ๏ธ 2025: The Final Blow
This year, his last hope vanished.
The UK High Court officially ended the fight:
Even if James finds the drive โ he has no legal right to retrieve it.
Ten years of passion, planning, and painโฆ
Gone.
โItโs finished. Thereโs nothing more I can do.โ
โ James Howells, 2025
๐ง A Heartbreaking Reminder
This is more than just a crypto story.
Itโs a warning etched in heartbreak:
Bitcoin doesnโt forgive.
Lose your private key, and itโs gone forever.
One small mistake can cost you a lifetime of fortune.
James didnโt 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 โ an IT engineer from Newport, Wales โ made one fateful mistake.
He tossed an old hard drive into the trashโฆ
That hard drive held 8,000 Bitcoin.
Today, thatโs worth over $750 million.
With a single careless throw, he lost a fortune โ and it never stopped haunting him.
๐ง 10 Years of Obsession, Hope, and Heartbreak
For over a decade, James didnโt just regret the loss โ
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:
โPermission denied.โ
Still, he kept going.
Rain, mud, rejection โ nothing could stop the man chasing a digital dream buried in garbage.
โ๏ธ 2025: The Final Blow
This year, his last hope vanished.
The UK High Court officially ended the fight:
Even if James finds the drive โ he has no legal right to retrieve it.
Ten years of passion, planning, and painโฆ
Gone.
โItโs finished. Thereโs nothing more I can do.โ
โ James Howells, 2025
๐ง A Heartbreaking Reminder
This is more than just a crypto story.
Itโs a warning etched in heartbreak:
Bitcoin doesnโt forgive.
Lose your private key, and itโs gone forever.
One small mistake can cost you a lifetime of fortune.
James didnโt 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
UK man who lost 8,000 bitcoin in landfill says he hasnโt 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 itโs 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 hereโs where we stand โ If they wonโt sell, thereโs 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 itโs 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 hereโs where we stand โ If they wonโt sell, thereโs 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
๐จ๐จ 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 $BTC in landfill says he hasnโt 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 itโs 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 hereโs where we stand โ If they wonโt sell, thereโs 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 itโs 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 hereโs where we stand โ If they wonโt sell, thereโs 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 Bitcoinโlong 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 Bitcoinโs price skyrocketed, that discarded hard driveโs value soared โ 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. Heโs proposed high-tech, multi-million dollar excavation projects, collaborated with AI and data recovery experts, and secured private backing โ but local authorities continue to block his efforts.
The Takeaway
James Howellsโ story is a powerful reminder for every crypto investor:
Lose your keys, lose your coins.
In the world of digital assets, security isnโt just important โ itโs 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 Bitcoinโs price skyrocketed, that discarded hard driveโs value soared โ 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. Heโs proposed high-tech, multi-million dollar excavation projects, collaborated with AI and data recovery experts, and secured private backing โ but local authorities continue to block his efforts.
The Takeaway
James Howellsโ story is a powerful reminder for every crypto investor:
Lose your keys, lose your coins.
In the world of digital assets, security isnโt just important โ itโs everything.
#CryptoHistory #bitcoin #JamesHowells #LostBTC #Write2Earn
๐จBREAKING:๐จ
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
๐ธ After 12 years, James Howells is giving up the hunt for his lost hard drive with 8,000 BTC (~$950M ๐ฑ).
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. ๐๐พ
#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. ๐๐พ
#Bitcoin #Crypto #LostTreasure #JamesHowells $BTC
๐ธ UK Man Who Lost 8,000 BTC in Landfill Says: โI Havenโt Given Upโ
Remember James Howells โ 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 todayโs Bitcoin price ($114,231), and it's buried somewhere in a landfill in Newport, Wales.
๐ Lost, But Not Forgotten
Howells mined the BTC years ago but mistakenly tossed the drive during a home clean-up.
Since then, heโs spent over a decade trying to get permission to dig it up โ but local officials keep saying no.
๐ค From AI to Tokenization
Heโs tried AI tech to help locate it.
He even offered $33Mโ$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 walletโs value to raise funds.
Butโฆ
๐ The Newport Council didnโt respond.
๐ซ Not Giving Up, Just Switching Tactics
Despite rumors online, Howells says he hasnโt given up.
๐ โIโm just no longer trying to buy or dig the landfill,โ he said.
Heโs stopped negotiations with the council โ but still has other plans in the works.
๐ฎ Whatโs Next?
James may be done with the landfill, but heโs not done with the mission to recover the value of his BTC.
Weโll be watching to see what he does with his token idea and whether his Bitcoin ever makes a comeback.
๐ฌ 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 todayโs Bitcoin price ($114,231), and it's buried somewhere in a landfill in Newport, Wales.
๐ Lost, But Not Forgotten
Howells mined the BTC years ago but mistakenly tossed the drive during a home clean-up.
Since then, heโs spent over a decade trying to get permission to dig it up โ but local officials keep saying no.
๐ค From AI to Tokenization
Heโs tried AI tech to help locate it.
He even offered $33Mโ$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 walletโs value to raise funds.
Butโฆ
๐ The Newport Council didnโt respond.
๐ซ Not Giving Up, Just Switching Tactics
Despite rumors online, Howells says he hasnโt given up.
๐ โIโm just no longer trying to buy or dig the landfill,โ he said.
Heโs stopped negotiations with the council โ but still has other plans in the works.
๐ฎ Whatโs Next?
James may be done with the landfill, but heโs not done with the mission to recover the value of his BTC.
Weโll be watching to see what he does with his token idea and whether his Bitcoin ever makes a comeback.
๐ฌ Would you buy a token linked to this lost BTC story?
#BTCRecovery #JamesHowells #BitcoinLost #CryptoHistory #BTC
$BTC
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 โ the man who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins โ 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 โ 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, "Iโve done everything I can. Itโs time to let go."
James Howellsโ story stands as a legendary example of cryptoโs unforgiving nature. His experience is a stark reminder that, in the world of decentralized finance, losing access to your private keys means losing everything โ permanently.#JamesHowells
After 12 long years of relentless efforts, James Howells โ the man who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins โ 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 โ 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, "Iโve done everything I can. Itโs time to let go."
James Howellsโ story stands as a legendary example of cryptoโs unforgiving nature. His experience is a stark reminder that, in the world of decentralized finance, losing access to your private keys means losing everything โ permanently.#JamesHowells
From Trash to Treasure: The $450 Million Bitcoin Blunder ๐๏ธ๐ป๐ธ
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! ๐ธ๐ฑ Imagine tossing out a pizza and realizing years later it was actually a gold mine. ๐
The Great Landfill Hunt ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธโ๏ธ
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, โNope, you canโt dig here! Itโs bad for the environment!โ ๐๐ซ Howells probably thought, โ$450 million for a little digging? Why is this such a big deal?โ ๐คทโโ๏ธ๐๏ธ
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. ๐ง๐ Still, Howells hasnโt given up hope. Maybe one day, technology will save the day! ๐คโจ
The Most Expensive Trash Story in the Digital Age ๐พ๐
This story is a perfect example of how digital assets can have real-world value. Howellsโ ordeal teaches us a valuable lesson: Secure your digital assets, or you might end up digging through a landfill for your lost fortune! ๐ก๏ธ๐ป
#Bitcoin #JamesHowells ๏ฟผ
The Great Landfill Hunt ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธโ๏ธ
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, โNope, you canโt dig here! Itโs bad for the environment!โ ๐๐ซ Howells probably thought, โ$450 million for a little digging? Why is this such a big deal?โ ๐คทโโ๏ธ๐๏ธ
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. ๐ง๐ Still, Howells hasnโt given up hope. Maybe one day, technology will save the day! ๐คโจ
The Most Expensive Trash Story in the Digital Age ๐พ๐
This story is a perfect example of how digital assets can have real-world value. Howellsโ ordeal teaches us a valuable lesson: Secure your digital assets, or you might end up digging through a landfill for your lost fortune! ๐ก๏ธ๐ป
#Bitcoin #JamesHowells ๏ฟผ
Ngฦฐแปi ฤร n รng Mแบฅt 8.000 BTC Trong Bรฃi Rรกc Giแป Muแปn Mua Lแบกi Cแบฃ Khu ฤแบฅt ฤแป Tรฌm Lแบกi Tร i Sแบฃn
#JamesHowells , mแปt kแปน sฦฐ mรกy tรญnh ngฦฐแปi Anh, ฤรฃ mแบฅt 8.000 Bitcoin trong mแปt bรฃi rรกc แป Newport, Wales cรกch ฤรขy 11 nฤm. Sแป BTC nร y hiแปn trแป giรก khoแบฃng 780 triแปu USD, vร รดng ฤรฃ dร nh hฦกn mแปt thแบญp kแปท ฤแป tรฌm cรกch ฤร o lแบกi chiแบฟc แป cแปฉng bแป chรดn vรนi.
Kแบฟ Hoแบกch "ฤร o Vร ng" Bแบฅt Thร nh
Howells ฤรฃ nhiแปu lแบงn xin phรฉp chรญnh quyแปn thร nh phแป Newport ฤแป tรฌm kiแบฟm แป cแปฉng, nhฦฐng ฤแปu bแป tแปซ chแปi. Lรฝ do ฤฦฐแปฃc ฤฦฐa ra lร viแปc khai quแบญt bรฃi rรกc cรณ thแป gรขy rแปงi ro vแป mรดi trฦฐแปng vร lร m giรกn ฤoแบกn hoแบกt ฤแปng cแปงa thร nh phแป.
Khรดng bแป cuแปc, Howells tแปซng ฤแป xuแบฅt mแปt kแบฟ hoแบกch tรฌm kiแบฟm tiรชn tiแบฟn vแปi sแปฑ hแป trแปฃ cแปงa trรญ tuแป nhรขn tแบกo (AI), robot cรดng nghiแปp vร cรกc chuyรชn gia mรดi trฦฐแปng, ฤแบฃm bแบฃo khรดng gรขy tรกc ฤแปng tiรชu cแปฑc. Tuy nhiรชn, chรญnh quyแปn vแบซn tแปซ chแปi.
Thua Kiแปn, Nhฦฐng Khรดng Bแป Cuแปc
Thรกng trฦฐแปc, Howells ฤรฃ kiแปn thร nh phแป Newport ra tรฒa ฤแป yรชu cแบงu quyแปn ฤร o bรฃi rรกc. Nhฦฐng thแบฉm phรกn Keyser KC ฤรฃ bรกc ฤฦกn, tuyรชn bแป rแบฑng แป cแปฉng bแป xem lร rรกc thแบฃi vร thuแปc quyแปn sแป hแปฏu cแปงa thร nh phแป.
Sau thแบฅt bแบกi nร y, Howells nghฤฉ ra mแปt chiแบฟn lฦฐแปฃc tรกo bแบกo hฦกn: mua lแบกi cแบฃ bรฃi rรกc.
Mua Lแบกi Bรฃi Rรกc ฤแป Tแปฑ ฤร o
Bรฃi rรกc nร y dแปฑ kiแบฟn sแบฝ ฤรณng cแปญa vร o nฤm 2026 vร ฤฦฐแปฃc chuyแปn ฤแปi thร nh mแปt trang trแบกi nฤng lฦฐแปฃng mแบทt trแปi. Nแบฟu thร nh cรดng mua lแบกi, Howells sแบฝ khรดng cแบงn xin phรฉp chรญnh quyแปn ฤแป khai quแบญt vร tรฌm lแบกi แป cแปฉng cแปงa mรฌnh.
โTรดi hoร n toร n nghiรชm tรบc trong viแปc mua lแบกi bรฃi rรกc,โ Howells nรณi vแปi BBC. รng cลฉng tiแบฟt lแป rแบฑng mรฌnh ฤรฃ liรชn hแป vแปi cรกc nhร ฤแบงu tฦฐ ฤแป tร i trแปฃ cho kแบฟ hoแบกch nร y.
Hiแปn tแบกi, chรญnh quyแปn #Newport vแบซn chฦฐa ฤฦฐa ra phแบฃn hแปi vแป khแบฃ nฤng bรกn lแบกi bรฃi rรกc nร y. Nhฦฐng nแบฟu ฤiแปu ฤรณ xแบฃy ra, James Howells cรณ thแป sแบฝ trแป thร nh triแปu phรบ Bitcoin ngay sau khi tรฌm lแบกi ฤฦฐแปฃc chiแบฟc แป cแปฉng cแปงa mรฌnh.
Liแปu รดng cรณ thแปฑc sแปฑ tรฌm thแบฅy kho bรกu tiแปn sแป hay ฤรขy chแป lร mแปt giแบฅc mฦก xa vแปi? Hรฃy cรนng chแป xem! ๐
#anhbacong
Kแบฟ Hoแบกch "ฤร o Vร ng" Bแบฅt Thร nh
Howells ฤรฃ nhiแปu lแบงn xin phรฉp chรญnh quyแปn thร nh phแป Newport ฤแป tรฌm kiแบฟm แป cแปฉng, nhฦฐng ฤแปu bแป tแปซ chแปi. Lรฝ do ฤฦฐแปฃc ฤฦฐa ra lร viแปc khai quแบญt bรฃi rรกc cรณ thแป gรขy rแปงi ro vแป mรดi trฦฐแปng vร lร m giรกn ฤoแบกn hoแบกt ฤแปng cแปงa thร nh phแป.
Khรดng bแป cuแปc, Howells tแปซng ฤแป xuแบฅt mแปt kแบฟ hoแบกch tรฌm kiแบฟm tiรชn tiแบฟn vแปi sแปฑ hแป trแปฃ cแปงa trรญ tuแป nhรขn tแบกo (AI), robot cรดng nghiแปp vร cรกc chuyรชn gia mรดi trฦฐแปng, ฤแบฃm bแบฃo khรดng gรขy tรกc ฤแปng tiรชu cแปฑc. Tuy nhiรชn, chรญnh quyแปn vแบซn tแปซ chแปi.
Thua Kiแปn, Nhฦฐng Khรดng Bแป Cuแปc
Thรกng trฦฐแปc, Howells ฤรฃ kiแปn thร nh phแป Newport ra tรฒa ฤแป yรชu cแบงu quyแปn ฤร o bรฃi rรกc. Nhฦฐng thแบฉm phรกn Keyser KC ฤรฃ bรกc ฤฦกn, tuyรชn bแป rแบฑng แป cแปฉng bแป xem lร rรกc thแบฃi vร thuแปc quyแปn sแป hแปฏu cแปงa thร nh phแป.
Sau thแบฅt bแบกi nร y, Howells nghฤฉ ra mแปt chiแบฟn lฦฐแปฃc tรกo bแบกo hฦกn: mua lแบกi cแบฃ bรฃi rรกc.
Mua Lแบกi Bรฃi Rรกc ฤแป Tแปฑ ฤร o
Bรฃi rรกc nร y dแปฑ kiแบฟn sแบฝ ฤรณng cแปญa vร o nฤm 2026 vร ฤฦฐแปฃc chuyแปn ฤแปi thร nh mแปt trang trแบกi nฤng lฦฐแปฃng mแบทt trแปi. Nแบฟu thร nh cรดng mua lแบกi, Howells sแบฝ khรดng cแบงn xin phรฉp chรญnh quyแปn ฤแป khai quแบญt vร tรฌm lแบกi แป cแปฉng cแปงa mรฌnh.
โTรดi hoร n toร n nghiรชm tรบc trong viแปc mua lแบกi bรฃi rรกc,โ Howells nรณi vแปi BBC. รng cลฉng tiแบฟt lแป rแบฑng mรฌnh ฤรฃ liรชn hแป vแปi cรกc nhร ฤแบงu tฦฐ ฤแป tร i trแปฃ cho kแบฟ hoแบกch nร y.
Hiแปn tแบกi, chรญnh quyแปn #Newport vแบซn chฦฐa ฤฦฐa ra phแบฃn hแปi vแป khแบฃ nฤng bรกn lแบกi bรฃi rรกc nร y. Nhฦฐng nแบฟu ฤiแปu ฤรณ xแบฃy ra, James Howells cรณ thแป sแบฝ trแป thร nh triแปu phรบ Bitcoin ngay sau khi tรฌm lแบกi ฤฦฐแปฃc chiแบฟc แป cแปฉng cแปงa mรฌnh.
Liแปu รดng cรณ thแปฑc sแปฑ tรฌm thแบฅy kho bรกu tiแปn sแป hay ฤรขy chแป lร mแปt giแบฅc mฦก xa vแปi? Hรฃy cรนng chแป xem! ๐
#anhbacong
๐ฐ After 12 Years, the Man Who Lost $742M in Bitcoin Gets a Surprising Ending
The story of James Howells isn't over just yetโฆ
Back in 2013, James Howells, an IT specialist from Newport, UK, accidentally threw away an old hard drive. It wasnโt just any driveโit 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 landfillโcomplete with drones, AI scanning, and robotic diggers.
But his plans hit a wall. ๐ซ
Local authorities rejected the operation, citing environmental risksโincluding 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.
๐ฌ A Los Angeles-based production company has acquired the rights to turn Jamesโ saga into a documentary series, podcast, and short-form videos, all under the title:
โThe Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells.โ
Now, instead of digging through a landfill, Howells is telling his story to the world. โThis project is a way to show my journey and inspire others,โ he shared. โAnd noโI havenโt given up.โ
---
๐ Moral of the story?
In crypto and in life, one lost file can cost a fortuneโbut persistence and storytelling might just turn loss into legacy.
๐ฅ Would you watch The Buried Bitcoin?
$BTC
$ETH
$BNB
#BigTechStablecoin #TrumpVsMusk #JamesHowells #TrumpTariffs #SaylorBTCPurchase
The story of James Howells isn't over just yetโฆ
Back in 2013, James Howells, an IT specialist from Newport, UK, accidentally threw away an old hard drive. It wasnโt just any driveโit 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 landfillโcomplete with drones, AI scanning, and robotic diggers.
But his plans hit a wall. ๐ซ
Local authorities rejected the operation, citing environmental risksโincluding 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.
๐ฌ A Los Angeles-based production company has acquired the rights to turn Jamesโ saga into a documentary series, podcast, and short-form videos, all under the title:
โThe Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells.โ
Now, instead of digging through a landfill, Howells is telling his story to the world. โThis project is a way to show my journey and inspire others,โ he shared. โAnd noโI havenโt given up.โ
---
๐ Moral of the story?
In crypto and in life, one lost file can cost a fortuneโbut persistence and storytelling might just turn loss into legacy.
๐ฅ Would you watch The Buried Bitcoin?
$BTC
$ETH
$BNB
#BigTechStablecoin #TrumpVsMusk #JamesHowells #TrumpTariffs #SaylorBTCPurchase
James Howells Ends Hunt for Lost $742M Bitcoin โ Whatโs Next?
After 12 years, James Howells has officially given up his search for the hard drive with 8,000 lost Bitcoinsโworth 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.
Whatโs 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 Bitcoinsโworth 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.
Whatโs 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
๐จ LOST $765M IN BITCOIN? UK COURT SAYS NO DIGGING! ๐ฑ๐ฐ
Imagine accidentally throwing away a hard drive containing 8,000 BTCโnow worth a jaw-dropping $765 MILLION! ๐คฏ Thatโs 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! ๐ซโ
๐ฅ Why the Denial?
๐น Local authorities claim that digging up the landfill would cause environmental risks and legal chaos. ๐โ๏ธ
๐น Howells argues this is a massive injustice and is now taking his fight to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)โhis last hope! โก
๐ฅ What Happens Next?
Will the ECHR step in and finally give him the green light to dig? ๐๏ธ Or will his lost Bitcoin fortune stay buried forever? ๐จ๐ธ
๐ฌ Do you think he should be allowed to search for his lost BTC? Drop your thoughts below! โฌ๏ธ๐ฅ
#LostBitcoin #CryptoDrama #BTC #JamesHowells #Bitcoin
๐ฅ Why the Denial?
๐น Local authorities claim that digging up the landfill would cause environmental risks and legal chaos. ๐โ๏ธ
๐น Howells argues this is a massive injustice and is now taking his fight to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)โhis last hope! โก
๐ฅ What Happens Next?
Will the ECHR step in and finally give him the green light to dig? ๐๏ธ Or will his lost Bitcoin fortune stay buried forever? ๐จ๐ธ
๐ฌ Do you think he should be allowed to search for his lost BTC? Drop your thoughts below! โฌ๏ธ๐ฅ
#LostBitcoin #CryptoDrama #BTC #JamesHowells #Bitcoin
After 12 Years, the 8,000 $BTC Dream Is Over
#JamesHowells the man who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 $BTC back in 2013, has finally ended his search. After spending over a decade trying to recover it, from offering rewards to proposing robotic excavation. His legal efforts have come to a dead end in 2025.
At todayโs price, that lost stash is worth more than $900M. Painful, but itโs also one of cryptoโs most cautionary tales: not your keys, not your coinsโฆ not your landfill either.
#ProjectCrypto
#TrumpTariffs
#MarketPullback
#JamesHowells the man who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 $BTC back in 2013, has finally ended his search. After spending over a decade trying to recover it, from offering rewards to proposing robotic excavation. His legal efforts have come to a dead end in 2025.
At todayโs price, that lost stash is worth more than $900M. Painful, but itโs also one of cryptoโs most cautionary tales: not your keys, not your coinsโฆ not your landfill either.
#ProjectCrypto
#TrumpTariffs
#MarketPullback
๐James Howellโs Lost Bitcoin Wallet Now Worth Over $930 Million
โ The Epic Quest to Recover a Digital Fortune ๐ฐ๐พ
Back in Bitcoinโs 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 โ he accidentally threw away the hard drive containing his Bitcoin wallet, now resting deep in a Newport landfill. ๐๏ธ๐
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 Bitcoinโs skyrocketing price, he discarded the hard drive holding his wallet โ a decision that changed everything. ๐โก
Race Against Time & Legal Roadblocks
As Bitcoinโs 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. ๐๏ธ๐ซ
Is Recovery Still Possible?
Though the hard driveโs 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 ยฃ25M offer, expert recovery teams, and legal action โ but all were met with silence or rejection. ๐๐
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 โ 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! ๐๐
Ceiniog coin is more than a fundraiser โ itโs a Bitcoin-focused DeFi utility launching late 2025, integrating with platforms like Stacks, Runes, and Ordinals. James aims to revive Bitcoinโs original purpose as peer-to-peer electronic cash, not just a store of value. ๐๐ฅ
Despite endless challenges, James Howellโs determination shines bright, sparking hope that this lost treasure may one day be reclaimed. ๐โจ
#LostBitcoin #JamesHowells #CeiniogCoin #BitcoinRecovery #CryptoCommunity $BTC
Back in Bitcoinโs 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 โ he accidentally threw away the hard drive containing his Bitcoin wallet, now resting deep in a Newport landfill. ๐๏ธ๐
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 Bitcoinโs skyrocketing price, he discarded the hard drive holding his wallet โ a decision that changed everything. ๐โก
Race Against Time & Legal Roadblocks
As Bitcoinโs 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. ๐๏ธ๐ซ
Is Recovery Still Possible?
Though the hard driveโs 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 ยฃ25M offer, expert recovery teams, and legal action โ but all were met with silence or rejection. ๐๐
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 โ 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! ๐๐
Ceiniog coin is more than a fundraiser โ itโs a Bitcoin-focused DeFi utility launching late 2025, integrating with platforms like Stacks, Runes, and Ordinals. James aims to revive Bitcoinโs original purpose as peer-to-peer electronic cash, not just a store of value. ๐๐ฅ
Despite endless challenges, James Howellโs determination shines bright, sparking hope that this lost treasure may one day be reclaimed. ๐โจ
#LostBitcoin #JamesHowells #CeiniogCoin #BitcoinRecovery #CryptoCommunity $BTC
UK man who lost 8,000 $BTC bitcoin in landfill says he hasnโt 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 itโs 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 hereโs where we stand โ If they wonโt sell, thereโs 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 #BTCโ #theblock #cryptominister $SOL $BNB
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 itโs 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 hereโs where we stand โ If they wonโt sell, thereโs 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 #BTCโ #theblock #cryptominister $SOL $BNB
La Tragedia Digital de James Howells: Cuando el Futuro se Enterrรณ en un Vertedero
Doce aรฑos de obsesiรณn, millones perdidos y una lecciรณn brutal sobre la fragilidad de la riqueza digital. La historia de James Howells, el ingeniero galรฉs que en 2013 arrojรณ sin saberlo un disco duro con 8.000 bitcoins (hoy valorados en 742 millones de euros) a la basura, ha llegado a su fin. Su batalla contra la burocracia, la tecnologรญa y el tiempo culmina en una derrota amarga, simbolizando los riesgos inherentes de las criptomonedas: donde un error trivial puede sepultar una fortuna.
Howells, pionero visionario que acumulรณ $BTC cuando valรญa cรฉntimos, cometiรณ un desliz catastrรณfico al desechar el dispositivo durante una limpieza rutinaria. Desde entonces, su vida se convirtiรณ en una odisea quijotesca: propuestas de excavaciรณn con drones e IA, ofertas de reparto de ganancias con el ayuntamiento de Newport y pleitos legales. Pero las autoridades bloquearon sus esfuerzos, citando riesgos ambientales y la imposibilidad prรกctica de revolver 15.000 toneladas de desechos.
En 2025, la justicia britรกnica rubricรณ el fracaso. Segรบn la Ley de Residuos, el disco โy su inconmensurable contenidoโ pertenece al vertedero. Para los tribunales, esos bitcoins no existen; solo hay chatarra oxidada. Howells, ahora resignado, encarna la paradoja de una era donde el valor es intangible pero los errores son irrevocables. Su caso es un recordatorio sombrรญo: en el mundo cripto, la soberanรญa financiera exige una custodia impecable. La tecnologรญa descentralizada no perdona descuidos.
#crypto #JamesHowells #Write2Earn
Howells, pionero visionario que acumulรณ $BTC cuando valรญa cรฉntimos, cometiรณ un desliz catastrรณfico al desechar el dispositivo durante una limpieza rutinaria. Desde entonces, su vida se convirtiรณ en una odisea quijotesca: propuestas de excavaciรณn con drones e IA, ofertas de reparto de ganancias con el ayuntamiento de Newport y pleitos legales. Pero las autoridades bloquearon sus esfuerzos, citando riesgos ambientales y la imposibilidad prรกctica de revolver 15.000 toneladas de desechos.
En 2025, la justicia britรกnica rubricรณ el fracaso. Segรบn la Ley de Residuos, el disco โy su inconmensurable contenidoโ pertenece al vertedero. Para los tribunales, esos bitcoins no existen; solo hay chatarra oxidada. Howells, ahora resignado, encarna la paradoja de una era donde el valor es intangible pero los errores son irrevocables. Su caso es un recordatorio sombrรญo: en el mundo cripto, la soberanรญa financiera exige una custodia impecable. La tecnologรญa descentralizada no perdona descuidos.
#crypto #JamesHowells #Write2Earn
๐ฅ๐ฐ Vocรช jogaria fora R$ 4,9 bilhรตes por engano?
Em 2013, James Howells, um tรฉcnico de TI galรชs, cometeu um dos maiores erros da histรณria digital: jogou no lixo um HD com 8.000 Bitcoins โ hoje avaliados em cerca de โฌ770 milhรตes (R$ 4,9 bilhรตes)! ๐ฑ
Desde entรฃo, ele tenta recuperar o disco em um lixรฃo no Paรญs de Gales. Jรก propรดs usar drones, IA e atรฉ comprar o aterro. A cidade nega por riscos ecolรณgicos, mas sua histรณria agora vai virar um documentรกrio, com lanรงamento previsto para o fim de 2025.
๐บ Tรญtulo: The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells
๐ฌ Serรก que ele ainda vai encontrar esse HD? Ou essa serรก a maior fortuna perdida da era cripto?
$BTC
#Bitcoin #Criptomoedas #BTC #JamesHowells #Write2Earn
Em 2013, James Howells, um tรฉcnico de TI galรชs, cometeu um dos maiores erros da histรณria digital: jogou no lixo um HD com 8.000 Bitcoins โ hoje avaliados em cerca de โฌ770 milhรตes (R$ 4,9 bilhรตes)! ๐ฑ
Desde entรฃo, ele tenta recuperar o disco em um lixรฃo no Paรญs de Gales. Jรก propรดs usar drones, IA e atรฉ comprar o aterro. A cidade nega por riscos ecolรณgicos, mas sua histรณria agora vai virar um documentรกrio, com lanรงamento previsto para o fim de 2025.
๐บ Tรญtulo: The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells
๐ฌ Serรก que ele ainda vai encontrar esse HD? Ou essa serรก a maior fortuna perdida da era cripto?
$BTC
#Bitcoin #Criptomoedas #BTC #JamesHowells #Write2Earn
Login to explore more contents