Mined Bitcoin Worth £165 Million Lost in Council Tip
A decade ago, Bitcoin worth £165 million was mistakenly thrown away in a council tip. James Howells, a tech enthusiast, had his hard drive, containing 8,000 Bitcoins, accidentally discarded by his wife. Now, he is seeking legal access to the landfill site in order to search for the lost cryptocurrency.
A Misplaced Treasure
James, who was a Bitcoin miner in the early stages of the crypto boom, lost his digital keys due to a small oversight in 2013. The hard drive is believed to be buried deep in a Newport landfill.
A Generous Proposal
In an attempt to retrieve his lost fortune, James has proposed a deal to Newport City Council. He offers to donate £50 in Bitcoin to each resident of Newport if he is allowed to excavate the landfill. His goal is to raise awareness about cryptocurrency and alleviate poverty in the area.
Council’s Resistance
Unfortunately, Newport City Council has been unresponsive to James’ request. Despite his attempts to meet with the council’s senior leadership, he has been unable to gain their cooperation.
The Retrieval Plan
If granted access to the site, James plans to use AI-powered mechanical arms, along with environmental health and data retrieval experts, to sift through the landfill and locate his lost Bitcoin.
Hot Take
James Howells’ quest to find his lost Bitcoin highlights the potential risks and challenges of storing digital assets. It also raises questions about the responsibility of individuals and institutions in safeguarding valuable cryptocurrencies. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of cryptocurrency ownership and retrieval.