Zinger Key Points
- U.K. waste management experts say there is zero chance of recovering Bitcoin from a landfill.
- James Howells insists AI object detection and advanced excavation can retrieve the hard drive without damaging the stored data.
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James Howells, the man behind a $775 million Bitcoin BTC/USD treasure hunt, is pushing back against waste management experts claiming recovering the lost fortune impossible.
What Happened: A U.K. waste expert said the chances of recovering a lost hard drive containing 7,500 BTC from a Newport landfill are 1 in 902 million, essentially zero, due to the landfill's massive size and waste accumulation over the years, The Block reported.
Howells strongly disputed this assessment, claiming their calculations are baseless.
He argued that his team has access to advanced excavation techniques, including AI-powered object detection and sophisticated waste material tracking, which vastly improve their chances of locating the hard drive.
He also pointed out that only a small amount of data is needed—his Bitcoin wallet file is just 32KB, and the private key is only 3-4KB.
The Story So Far…
James Howells, a computer engineer from South Wales, has been engaged in a long-running legal battle to gain access to the landfill or acquire it outright in hopes of retrieving his estimated $669 million fortune.
Despite legal setbacks, he continues to pursue access to the landfill or explore acquiring the site.
He has also been in discussions with potential investors and claims to have “a few options on the table” to either buy the Newport Docksway landfill site or appeal the court's decision.
Also Read: Bitcoin Languishes Below $88,000 As Spot ETFs See $1 Billion Outflows On Tuesday
Why It Matters: UK waste management firm Business Waste warns the hard drive could likely be irreparably damaged due to environmental exposure and compacting.
Howells insists advanced AI and excavation techniques improve his odds and is considering alternative funding strategies if legal efforts fail.
What's Next: The Newport landfill is set to close in 2025-2026 with plans to convert part of the site into a solar farm, potentially making recovery efforts even harder.
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