Newport, Wales – James Howells, a British man who inadvertently discarded a hard drive containing approximately 8,000 bitcoin worth over $1 billion in 2013, has faced another setback in his decade-long quest to recover his digital fortune.
Howells, who acquired the bitcoin in 2009 during the cryptocurrency’s early days, mistakenly threw away the hard drive in 2013, believing it contained old university files. Since then, he has tirelessly campaigned to gain access to the landfill site in Newport, Wales, where he believes the device is buried. His efforts have included proposing to share a portion of the recovered bitcoin with local authorities and enlisting the help of artificial intelligence, robots, and even dogs to aid in the search.
However, local officials have consistently denied his requests, citing concerns about the environmental impact of digging through the landfill and the potential release of hazardous materials. On September 9th, a UK High Court ruled against Howells, stating that he had no legal grounds for a claim. The court further rejected Howells' demand for £715 million in compensation if he were denied access to the landfill.
Despite the setback, Howells remains determined. “The judge acknowledged that I am still the owner of the bitcoin, even though the council physically possesses the hard drive,” he said. "This gives me hope, and I will continue to fight in higher courts until I find my bitcoin.”
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