A landfill site in Newport, Wales, that allegedly holds a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin is set to shut down, according to reports.
The site, located east of Cardiff, is expected to close during the 2025-26 financial year, as confirmed by BBC News on February 9. A Newport council spokesperson stated that the landfill, in operation since the early 2000s, is nearing the end of its lifespan. The council has planned a structured closure and capping of the site over the next two years.
Additionally, the council has secured approval for a solar farm on part of the land, a project that was given the green light in August.
Lost Bitcoin Fortune and Legal Battle
The landfill reportedly contains a hard drive belonging to local IT worker James Howells, who claims it was accidentally discarded in 2013. Howells believes the drive holds 8,000 BTC, mined in 2009, which would be worth approximately $768 million today.
For over a decade, Howells has been engaged in a legal dispute with Newport council. He sought permission to excavate the landfill to retrieve the hard drive, offering the council a share of the Bitcoin if recovered. Alternatively, he demanded compensation for the loss.
However, in January, a judge dismissed his case, ruling that he had no realistic chance of success in court. Despite Howells’ claims that AI experts could locate the hard drive without any cost to the public, the council refused excavation. In October, officials cited environmental concerns, stating that digging up the site would have a significant negative impact on the surrounding area.
The Bigger Picture: Lost Bitcoin Supply
The 8,000 BTC in question is just a fraction of the vast amount of Bitcoin considered permanently lost. According to Web3 executive Al Leong, nearly 3 million BTC—about 13% of the total supply—may be irretrievable.
Meanwhile, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has suggested that advancements in quantum computing could eventually unlock Bitcoin from lost wallets, potentially reintroducing significant amounts into circulation. Some analysts warn that such a development could create selling pressure on the cryptocurrency market.
