James Howells’ £620M Bitcoin Battle: Never Giving Up
For over a decade, James Howells has been fighting to recover a Bitcoin wallet worth £620M that was mistakenly thrown into a Newport landfill in 2013. Despite multiple setbacks, including a High Court dismissal, Howells remains determined to reclaim his lost fortune.
The Fight to Recover the Lost Bitcoin
Howells, an early Bitcoin miner, claims his ex-partner accidentally discarded his hard drive containing 8,000 BTC. Since then, he has:
- Requested permission to search the landfill
- Offered a share of the recovered Bitcoin to Newport Council
- Engaged a team of experts to locate the hard drive
However, the council denied excavation, citing environmental concerns and legal ownership of discarded waste.
Legal Battle: High Court to Court of Appeal
In January 2025, a High Court judge dismissed Howells’ legal challenge, stating his claim had no reasonable grounds. Now, he is taking his case to the Court of Appeal, representing himself with the help of AI technology.
“AI is an amazing tool. It helped me understand court processes, and I believe I have seven solid legal grounds,” Howells told BBC News.
His legal argument now focuses on:
- The council’s plan to close the landfill in 2025-26, which was not disclosed in court
- The ownership dispute, as he claims the hard drive was discarded without his consent
- The cost-saving benefits of fully excavating the site
Buying the Landfill: A New Strategy
Howells is also exploring a new option: buying the landfill from the Newport Council. He claims to have preliminary agreements with investors from the Middle East and the US to finance the purchase.
“If the council shows willingness to sell, the funding will be there,” he said.
However, Newport Council has not indicated any intention to sell and has instead secured planning permission for a solar farm on part of the site.
Why Bitcoin’s Value Keeps Rising
Bitcoin’s value has surged, especially after Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, as his administration is seen as pro-crypto. Experts predict further price increases, making Howells’ pursuit even more crucial.
Billy Bambrough, editor of the CryptoCodex newsletter, explained:
“Crypto markets saw massive gains in 2020 and late 2024. Many investors made fortunes, while others lost heavily.”
Will James Howells Ever Give Up?
Despite losing legal battles, facing council opposition, and dealing with logistical challenges, James Howells refuses to give up.
“This is my 9 to 5. This is my final battle – like Braveheart,” he declared.
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