10.02.2025 13:11
The lost hard drive, which is claimed to contain 8,000 Bitcoins worth $768 million and is allegedly buried in a landfill in the city of Newport, United Kingdom, is becoming inaccessible due to the council's decision to close the site in the 2025-26 financial year. The council rejected the excavation request, citing environmental concerns, and approved plans to establish a solar farm at the site.
One of the most interesting stories in the world of cryptocurrency gained a new dimension with the decision of Newport City Council regarding its landfill. James Howells, who claims that 8,000 Bitcoins were found on a hard drive accidentally thrown away by his ex-wife, faced a decade-long legal battle that ended without success as the council prioritized its environmentally friendly energy project.
Closing the Bitcoin Mine at the Landfill in the UK
A spokesperson for Newport City Council announced that the landfill, which has been in use since the early 2000s, has reached the end of its lifespan. The council is working on a planned closure and covering of the site within the next two years.
Howells claimed that the search technology he developed with artificial intelligence experts could locate the hard drive without imposing costs on the council or the public. Nevertheless, the council stated that excavation under environmental permits is not possible and that the project would have a significant negative impact on the environment.
According to Web3 manager Al Leong, the Bitcoins on the lost hard drive represent a small part of the lost Bitcoin reserves, which account for 13% of the total supply. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino predicts that quantum computers may be able to recover Bitcoins from lost wallets in the future.