James Howells battles Newport council for access to a landfill where he claims a hard drive with Bitcoin lies buried.
Bitcoin Lawsuit Over Landfill Treasure
James Howells, a Bitcoin miner, is suing Newport council to recover a hard drive he claims is worth £600 million. He addressed the press outside the court on Tuesday, according to BBC. Howells asserts that his former partner mistakenly discarded the drive in 2013. It reportedly contains a Bitcoin wallet he mined during the cryptocurrency’s infancy.
Council Resists Excavation Demand
The council has urged a High Court judge to dismiss the lawsuit. They argue there is no obligation to excavate the Docksway landfill. Environmental permits prevent disturbance of the site, and property discarded at landfills is legally owned by the council.
Allegations of “Bribery” Spark Controversy
Howells proposed donating 10% of the Bitcoin’s value to the local community if allowed access to the site. Council barrister James Goudie KC labeled this a “bribe,” alleging it encouraged unlawful decision-making.
Howells Defends Claim as Legal Dispute
Howells’ lawyer, Dean Armstrong KC, rejected the “bribery” claims as baseless. He emphasized the need to resolve ownership issues through a full trial. “We seek a declaration of rights over the Bitcoin,” Armstrong said during the Cardiff court hearing.
Environmental and Legal Hurdles
The council argues public interest outweighs Howells’ claim. The passage of time and environmental concerns complicate the case further. Goudie stressed that Bitcoin enthusiasts “are not above the law,” citing potential negative precedents if the council complied.
Court Decision Pending
Judge Keyser KC reserved his decision, determining whether the case will proceed to trial. Howells maintains that recovering the hard drive is feasible with expert excavation plans. His legal team claims it is not a “needle in a haystack” scenario.
Crypto Mining and Its Perils
Howells’ story highlights the challenges of early crypto adoption. Lost wallets represent a significant portion of the total Bitcoin supply. The case may set a precedent for similar disputes involving digital assets and ownership rights.
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