This Man Fought for 8,000 Bitcoins (BTC) Worth $660 Million Buried in a Dumpster!

Jakarta, Pintu News—A British man, James Howells, is back in the spotlight after taking his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In 2013, he lost 8,000 Bitcoins BTC1.18%->Current BTC PriceRp 1.391.028.9641.18%Market CapRp 33.034 TriliunTrading VolumeRp 1.590 TriliunCirculating SupplyRp 19.797.675 that were accidentally thrown into a landfill.

With a current value equivalent of IDR 10.8 trillion (USD 660 million), Howells is not giving up despite the UK courts rejecting his request to dig up the waste at the site.

With time running out before the dump closes, will Howells finally be able to get his treasure back?

10.8 Trillion IDR in Bitcoin Buried, UK Court Continues to Reject

James Howells was one of the early investors in cryptocurrency who lost 8,000 BTC after accidentally dumping a hard drive containing his private keys into Docksway Landfill, Newport, UK. Since realizing his mistake, he has made various applications to the courts and local government to be allowed to conduct a search.

However, the UK Court of Appeal again rejected his request, with Judge Christopher Nugee stating that Howells’ bid had no “real prospect of success.”

According to Crypto Times, in a ruling filed on March 13, 2025, the judge confirmed that there was no compelling reason to reopen the case. The decision further minimizes Howells’ chances of unearthing the site before it closes in 2025 or 2026.

Read also: 5 ‘Made in USA’ coins that are the talk of the town ahead of Eid 2025

Take the Case to the European Court of Human Rights

Unhappy with the UK court’s decision, Howells announced on March 14, 2025 that he would take his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In a post on social media X (formerly Twitter), he called the UK legal system a “system of injustice” and believed that his rights as an asset owner had been violated.

Howells argued that the UK courts violated his rights to property ownership and a fair trial, so he deserved the opportunity to regain his Bitcoin (BTC).

Although the ECHR does not have the power to overturn UK court decisions, ruling in favour of the Howells could provide political pressure on the UK courts to reconsider their choices.

Read also: Peter Schiff: “The Bitcoin (BTC) Bubble is About to Burst!”, What Does It Mean?

Why are UK Authorities Refusing Bitcoin Searches?

Despite the immense value of the buried Bitcoins, local authorities continue to refuse excavation requests on the grounds that the search is high-risk and difficult. Newport City Council argues that:

1. The search process would be very expensive and time-consuming due to the large volume of waste.
2. The environmental impact can be harmful, as excavation of the dumpsite can cause soil and air pollution.
3. The hard drive’s condition after being buried for more than a decade is not guaranteed.

However, Howells remains optimistic and has devised a search plan based on AI and robotic technology to increase the chances of finding the hard drive. He also claims to have received financial backing from investors who are ready to help cover the cost of the search if it is authorized.

Time is Running Out. Can Bitcoin Be Saved?

Currently, Bitcoin (BTC) buried in the Newport dumpsite is at risk of losing forever if Howells does not obtain a search license soon. With plans to close the dump in the next 1-2 years, time is running out.

However, court decisions that continue to reject his requests are slimmer his chances. What is the fate of his 8,000 BTC? Will he manage to salvage his IDR10.8 trillion worth of crypto assets, or will this be one of the most lost Bitcoins in cryptocurrency history?

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*Disclaimer

This content aims to enrich readers’ information. Pintu collects this information from various relevant sources and is not influenced by outside parties. Note that an asset’s past performance does not determine its projected future performance. Crypto trading activities have high risk and volatility, always do your own research and use cold cash before investing. All activities of buying and selling bitcoin and other crypto asset investments are the responsibility of the reader.

Reference:

• Crypto Times. British Man Takes 8,000 BTC Landfill Battle to Human Rights Court. Accessed March 19, 2025.
• Featured Image: Generated by AI