Computer Engineer’s Plan to Recover $765M in Lost Bitcoin in 100k Tons of Scrap
A treasure buried in a Welsh landfill 🌍
Buried in a landfill in Wales is a hard drive holding Bitcoin worth a jaw-dropping $765 million, according to computer engineer James Howells. Howells accidentally discarded the smartphone-sized drive in 2013, but the local council has consistently denied him permission to search for it, citing environmental concerns and ownership disputes.
credit.Unsplash
A new twist: solar farm plans spark new hope ☀️
Now, a fresh development has emerged: Newport Council plans to close the landfill site within the next 12 months to transform it into a solar farm powering the council’s new garbage trucks. This decision has sparked a new idea for Howells on how he might finally retrieve his lost fortune.
“I would be potentially interested in purchasing the landfill site,” Howells revealed. “I’ve discussed this option with investment partners, and it’s very much on the table.”
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The challenge: 1.4 million tons of waste 🏋️♂️
The landfill contains more than 1.4 million tons of waste, and Howells believes the hard drive is buried in an area holding around 100,000 tons. To locate it, he plans to use a combination of human sorters, robot dogs, and an AI-powered machine capable of spotting a hard drive on a conveyor belt. However, there’s a risk the drive may be damaged beyond recovery.
credit. Unsplash
The potential reward 💸
If successful, Howells has stated he would keep 30% of the recovered Bitcoins, with another 30% going to the recovery team, 30% to investors, and the remaining portion shared among local causes and Newport residents.
From $75 million to $765 million 📈
Back in 2020, Digital Trends reported the Bitcoin on the hard drive was worth $75 million, but its value has surged to $765 million. Despite the potential fortune, Howells admitted to Business Insider in 2022 that he tries not to focus on the wealth it could bring, “otherwise you just drive yourself crazy.”
