In 2013, Welsh IT professional James Howells accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins, now worth approximately $742 million. His attempt to recover the lost cryptocurrency has spanned 12 years, involving legal battles and ambitious technological plans.
Howells initially overlooked the hard drive, which held the private key to his Bitcoin wallet. At the time, Bitcoin’s value was modest, but it skyrocketed over the years, turning the discarded drive into a highly valuable asset.
Determined to retrieve the hard drive, Howells proposed using artificial intelligence-equipped drones and robots to search the Newport landfill, while aiming to minimize environmental damage. However, the Newport City Council denied permission due to ecological concerns, including toxic gas release and groundwater contamination risks. British law also complicates recovery efforts, as discarded items in landfills are property of the site and subject to strict regulations.
In 2024, a British judge ruled that the likelihood of successfully recovering the drive was negligible, citing deterioration after more than a decade underground. Consequently, Howells has officially ended his recovery attempts.
His unusual story will be featured in an upcoming documentary titled The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells, scheduled for release in late 2025. Produced by American company LEBUL, the film will chronicle his technological ambitions and legal struggles while exploring broader themes of digital wealth and resilience.
James Howells’s experience highlights the risks inherent in digital assets, where a single mistake can lead to massive financial loss. It also illustrates the challenges of balancing innovative recovery methods with environmental and legal restrictions. His journey stands as a modern cautionary tale about the volatility of cryptocurrencies and the human determination to overcome adversity.