A British man is taking legal action against his local council for £640 million after a hard drive containing a massive amount of Bitcoin was discarded in a landfill. James Howells, who previously worked in IT, lost access to the digital currency back in 2013 when he accidentally threw away the hard drive, which he had believed contained 8,000 Bitcoins.
Howells has been campaigning for years to recover the hard drive from the Newport landfill in Wales, where he believes it remains buried. The Bitcoins, which were valued at approximately £640 million at the time of his filing, have since skyrocketed in value, further intensifying his desire to retrieve the drive.
The council has expressed concerns about the environmental impact and cost of digging through the landfill, which could involve significant resources and time. Despite this, Howells argues that the potential return is worth the effort, claiming he has already invested considerable time and money in the pursuit.
In his lawsuit, Howells is seeking compensation from the council, alleging negligence in their disposal of waste and failure to assist in his recovery efforts. The case has drawn significant public interest, highlighting ongoing debates about the value of digital assets and the responsibilities of local authorities.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the situation raises questions about the future of cryptocurrency and the lengths to which individuals will go to reclaim lost fortunes.
