James Howells, a former IT worker from Wales, is locked in a legal battle with Newport City Council as he seeks to excavate a landfill to recover a hard drive containing the key to 8,000 Bitcoin he mined in 2009.
Worth £569 million today, the hard drive was accidentally discarded nearly a decade ago by his then-partner, Halfina Eddy-Evans, who claims she took it to the tip at his request.
Howells, who has narrowed its location to an area containing 100,000 tonnes of waste, has vowed to transform Newport with 10% of the proceeds if he retrieves the fortune. Despite his determination, the council has repeatedly refused permission, citing environmental concerns and legal limitations.
Halfina, the mother of Howells’ two sons, insists she had no idea the hard drive contained Bitcoin, dismissing any responsibility for its loss.
Howells, who had initially deemed the drive useless, is now suing the council for nearly £500 million in damages, accusing it of withholding his property.
The council has stated that his claim lacks merit, and a hearing is scheduled for December 3 to determine the case’s future. While the saga continues to draw public attention, Halfina expressed her wish for closure, stating, “I hope he finds it… I’m tired of hearing about it.”
