The saga of James Howells and his $716 million (£569 million) Bitcoin fortune, lost in a Welsh landfill nearly a decade ago, has taken a surprising twist.
Halfina Eddy-Evans, Howells’ former partner, revealed that she disposed of the hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin at his request.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Eddy-Evans stated, “Losing it was not [her] fault,” explaining that she only threw the hard drive away because Howells asked her to.
Howells’ story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of managing digital assets like cryptocurrencies and the importance of proper custody to prevent financial loss.
One hard drive, a million-dollar mistake
In 2013, Howells accidentally disposed of the hard drive while clearing old computer parts.
Bitcoin’s value was far lower at the time, and the potential fortune stored on the drive went unnoticed.
According to Eddy-Evans, she took the hard drive to a landfill after being “begged” to remove unwanted belongings.
It wasn’t until later that Howells realized the drive held 8,000 Bitcoin he mined in 2009, back when Bitcoin was worth less than $1 per token.
Today, the cryptocurrency is valued at over $94,000, making the lost assets worth more than $716 million.
Legal and environmental hurdles
Howells has since appealed to Newport City Council multiple times to allow excavation of the landfill, but his requests have been denied.
The council cited environmental risks and logistical challenges in sifting through 110,000 tons of waste.
Despite rejections, Howells proposed funding the excavation himself and pledged to donate 10% of recovered funds to the council, but his offers were also declined.
Now, Howells is suing the council for £495 million ($647 million) in damages over the refusal.
Lessons in crypto custody
This case underscores the importance of secure storage for cryptocurrency holders.
Whether using online wallets, app-based wallets, or hardware wallets, it’s vital to store private keys and recovery phrases securely.
Multiple copies in safe deposit boxes or encrypted storage can prevent catastrophic losses and ensure long-term financial safety.
