James Howells, a British IT worker, has spent over a decade trying to recover a hard drive containing bitcoin now worth nearly $800 million. After multiple failed attempts to obtain permission to search a landfill where he believes the device was discarded, Howells has come up with a new plan—buying the landfill himself.
A Costly Mistake
In August 2013, Howells mistakenly threw away the hard drive while cleaning his house. At the time, he thought it was an empty device with no important data and placed it in a trash bag, which was later taken to the landfill by his then-partner. Only later, as bitcoin’s value began to soar, did he realize that the drive he had discarded contained private keys to thousands of bitcoins he had mined years earlier—back when the cryptocurrency was relatively unknown.
When he first lost the device, the bitcoin it contained was worth around $9 million. Over the years, as the cryptocurrency market has surged, that amount has grown exponentially. Today, the bitcoin stored on that hard drive is valued at nearly $800 million, making it one of the most expensive mistakes in financial history.
The Challenge of Recovering the Hard Drive
Bitcoin transactions require a private key, a crucial cryptographic identifier that allows users to access and transfer their funds. Without this key, the funds are essentially locked away forever. Judge Andrew Keyser, who ruled on Howells’ case in January, acknowledged that the hard drive contained “a record” of that key, comparing its loss to someone throwing away a piece of paper with a password written on it.
However, retrieving the device is no simple task. The landfill where Howells’ hard drive was likely disposed of is a massive site, filled with years’ worth of compacted waste. Digging through it would not only be incredibly costly but also pose significant environmental risks.
Newport City Council, which oversees the landfill, has repeatedly refused Howells’ requests to excavate the site. A council spokeswoman explained their position, saying, “The council has told Mr. Howells on multiple occasions that excavation is not possible under our licensing permit. Digging up the landfill would have a huge environmental impact on the surrounding area.”
Additionally, even if the drive were found, there’s no guarantee it would still be functional after years of exposure to the elements. Electronic devices can degrade over time, especially in landfill conditions where moisture, heat, and chemicals could cause severe damage.
A New Plan: Buying the Landfill
Despite these setbacks, Howells remains determined to recover his lost fortune. With the council unwilling to grant him access, he is now exploring the possibility of purchasing the landfill outright. By taking control of the site, he hopes to conduct a thorough, organized search for the device on his own terms.
In previous proposals, Howells suggested using advanced technology, including artificial intelligence and robotic systems, to sift through the landfill in a methodical and environmentally responsible manner. He has also claimed to have investors willing to fund the excavation. However, none of his past plans have been approved, leading him to consider the more drastic approach of acquiring the entire landfill.
Whether or not this latest strategy will succeed remains to be seen. Legal, environmental, and financial obstacles still stand in his way. However, for Howells, the prospect of regaining access to his lost bitcoin is worth the effort. “I know it’s there, and I know it’s worth recovering,” he has previously stated.
With cryptocurrency continuing to gain mainstream adoption, the value of bitcoin may rise even further in the coming years—making Howells’ lost hard drive an even more painful memory. But if he can find a way to gain control of the landfill and successfully retrieve the device, his decade-long search may finally come to an end, turning one of the biggest blunders in crypto history into an incredible comeback story.