Summary:
James Howells has been searching for a hard drive with 8,000 bitcoins since 2013.
His latest legal bid to access the landfill was rejected by a judge, marking another setback in his quest.
The bitcoin on the hard drive is worth approximately $750 million at current prices.
Despite the ruling, Howells vows to continue fighting for his lost fortune.
The Lost Bitcoin Fortune
A British man, James Howells, has been on a relentless quest for a hard drive containing 8,000 bitcoins since 2013, which he accidentally discarded. This hard drive, now buried in a landfill, is worth a staggering $750 million at current bitcoin prices.
Legal Battles and Setbacks
For nearly a decade, Howells has fought to gain access to the Newport City Council's landfill in southern Wales, where he believes the hard drive is located. Recently, he faced another setback when a judge rejected his latest legal bid to search for his lost fortune. Judge Keyser KC stated, "I consider that the particulars of the claim do not show any reasonable grounds for bringing this case."
The Discarded Drive
In 2013, Howells mistakenly threw away the hard drive, confusing it with another identical one that was blank. As of now, the value of bitcoin is approximately $94,600, making the total worth of the cryptocurrency on that hard drive around $757 million.
Attempts to Recover the Hard Drive
Despite his numerous requests to the council, Howells has been unsuccessful in securing permission to search the landfill. He even proposed sharing a portion of the bitcoin with the council if recovered. In previous discussions, he expressed optimism about utilizing human sorters, robotic dogs, and AI-powered machines to sift through the 110,000 tons of garbage at the site.
Legal Rights and Ownership
Howells's legal efforts included suing the council for access or seeking £495 million ($608 million) in compensation. However, the judge ruled in favor of the council, asserting that the hard drive became their property upon entering the landfill. Judge Keyser KC remarked that the claim had little chance of success if it went to trial.
Continuing the Fight
Despite the ruling, Howells remains determined. He stated, "I'm disappointed they wouldn't let me proceed to trial, but I was encouraged when the judge said that the council might own the physical hard drive, but I am still the owner of the bitcoin." He plans to continue his fight, saying, "Until a higher court tells me no, I'll keep on fighting. Even if I never physically recover those bitcoins, I'll find a way to make something of them."
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