On February 14, 2025, in Newport, Wales, James Howells proposed purchasing a landfill site to recover approximately $800 million worth of bitcoins he lost in 2013. However, the Newport council has rejected his offers, stating that the site is unsuitable for his proposed park and that there are no viable alternatives for a solar farm that must be built on the landfill to meet the city’s climate goals.
- Howells proposes turning landfill into a park.
- Council rejects alternative uses for the site.
- No viable sites for solar farm available.
- Howells offered to clear landfill for reuse.
- Council maintains Howells lost bitcoin ownership.
- Howells considers purchasing the landfill site.
James Howells, who lost a hard drive containing a significant amount of bitcoins, has been pursuing various options to recover his assets. He recently expressed interest in purchasing the landfill site, suggesting that if he cannot convert it into a park, he could clear it for landfill use again. However, the Newport council has firmly stated that Howells forfeited ownership of the bitcoins when the hard drive was discarded and that excavation would incur prohibitively high costs.
The council’s analysis indicates that the landfill site cannot be repurposed as a park. Additionally, they emphasized that the solar farm project is essential to achieving the city’s climate objectives, which could be delayed without the landfill’s use. Howells expressed surprise at the council’s plans to close the landfill, expected in the 2025–26 financial year, and noted that this information was not disclosed during previous legal proceedings.
Howells has stated that he is open to discussions with investment partners regarding the potential purchase of the landfill “as is.” He believes that his plan is logical and could provide a solution to the situation, despite the council’s consistent refusal to assist him. The ongoing conflict highlights the complexities of asset recovery and municipal planning.
In summary, James Howells’ attempts to recover his lost bitcoins by purchasing the Newport landfill have been met with resistance from the city council, which prioritizes its climate goals and the future of the landfill site. The situation remains unresolved as Howells explores his options.
