A computer engineer is embroiled in a legal battle to recover £620 million worth of Bitcoin believed to be buried in a Newport landfill. James Howells, who accidentally discarded a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins in 2013, asserts that the drive lies within an area containing 100,000 tonnes of waste at the Docks Way landfill. The site, encompassing over 1.4 million tonnes of waste, is slated for closure in the 2025-26 financial year, adding urgency to Howells' quest.
The mishap occurred when Howells’ ex-girlfriend unintentionally threw away the hard drive that held the digital fortune. Since then, Howells has been relentless in his attempts to access the site to retrieve the lost cryptocurrency. His efforts have included legal action against Newport City Council, which he sued for access. However, Judge Keyser dismissed the case, prompting Howells to consider appealing the decision and seek £495 million in compensation.
"The council planning on closing the landfill so soon is quite a surprise, especially since it claimed at the High Court that closing the landfill to allow me to search would have a huge detrimental impact on the people of Newport, whilst at the same time they were planning to close the landfill anyway." – Mr Howells
Bitcoin, while a digital asset with growing global interest, faces regulatory restrictions in several countries. Trading and mining Bitcoin is illegal in China, and its use is limited in places like Saudi Arabia and Qatar. However, Bitcoin remains a viable option for purchasing products and services despite its limited acceptance among retailers.
The Newport Council has yet to comment on the situation. As Howells moves forward with his legal strategies, he remains hopeful about overturning the court's decision and gaining access to the landfill before its impending closure.
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