Summary:
James Howells lost 8,000 bitcoins worth £620 million in a landfill.
Newport council plans to close the landfill for a solar farm by 2025-26.
Howells estimates his hard drive is buried under 100,000 tonnes of waste.
He is considering purchasing the landfill site to search for his lost fortune.
Howells plans to appeal a court ruling that dismissed his case.
The Bitcoin Treasure Hunt
James Howells, a Newport resident, is on a mission to recover 8,000 bitcoins worth approximately £620 million that he accidentally lost in a landfill. His pursuit has led him to seek permission to search the site where he believes the hard drive containing his fortune lies.
The Newport council has plans to close the landfill site in the 2025-26 financial year and intends to convert it into a solar farm to power new waste collection vehicles. Howells expressed his surprise at the council's decision, especially since they previously claimed that allowing him to search would negatively impact the local community.
1.4 million tonnes of waste are currently housed in the landfill, and Howells estimates that his hard drive is buried under about 100,000 tonnes of trash. He has indicated a willingness to purchase the landfill site to facilitate his search, stating, "I would be potentially interested in purchasing the landfill site."
In addition to exploring the purchase of the site, Howells plans to appeal a recent court ruling that dismissed his case. The judge determined that there were no grounds for his claim due to the significant time lapse since the hard drive was lost, stating that there was "no realistic prospect" of success at trial.
Understanding Bitcoin
Bitcoin is a form of cryptocurrency—completely virtual and lacking physical coins or notes. While it can be used for purchases, acceptance among retailers is limited. Furthermore, trading and mining Bitcoin are illegal in countries like China, and its use is restricted in nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
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