A Londoner’s years-long quest for an $800 million Bitcoin-containing arduous drive hidden someplace in a Welsh landfill has now been licensed right into a cross-platform documentary collection.
Leisure firm LEBUL introduced this week that it has secured exclusive rights to inform the story of James Howells, the British engineer recognized for shedding entry to eight,000 Bitcoin again in 2013.
Man’s Misplaced Onerous Drive Holds Crypto Fortunes Price A King’s Ransom
Howells, a kind of who mined Bitcoin in its early years, misplaced entry to eight,000 Bitcoin in 2013 when his arduous drive was mistakenly discarded. At present costs, that cryptocurrency hoard is value over $800 million.
The arduous drive ended up in a municipal landfill in Newport, Wales, the place it nonetheless sits regardless of Howells’ quite a few efforts to reclaim it.
“This isn’t content material,” declared Reese Van Allen, Unscripted Leisure President at LEBUL. “It’s a live-action tech thriller with nearly a billion {dollars} at stake.”
The documentary initiative, “The Buried Bitcoin: The Actual-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells,” will characteristic a high-end collection, podcast, and social media push. LEBUL intends to mix facets of environmental strife, cryptocurrency historical past, and particular person resolve of their narrative.
Authorized Fights Ongoing With Native Council
Howells has taken Newport Metropolis Council to court docket a number of instances over the past decade. He’s requested for permission to excavate the landfill and even proposed dividing any cash recovered with each the town and residents. At one time, he requested native officers for £495 million in compensation.
He has again and again lost in court over his protests on grounds of concern for harm to the setting in addition to land legal guidelines. He misplaced lately in 2025 in Cardiff Excessive Courtroom, in accordance with experiences.
It’s extra of a urgent want because the council will shut the dump within the 12 months 2025-2026 and construct a part of it as a photo voltaic farm.
Engineer Refuses To Give Up Search
Regardless of persistent setbacks, Howells is decided to get well his misplaced fortune. As reported, he’s mulling an attraction to the Supreme Courtroom. He has additionally intimated that he might try and purchase the whole landfill property to get entry to the situation.
“Howells’ story, at instances likened to a up to date treasure hunt, will now discover its option to extra individuals as LEBUL turns a bit of discarded e-waste into leisure,” stated one report on the brand new collection.
Leisure Venture Generates Large Curiosity
The documentary collection has already piqued the curiosity of worldwide streaming channels desirous to distribute the content material. Some cryptocurrency companies have additionally proven curiosity in sponsoring the venture, stated LEBUL.
LEBUL executives are assured that the mix of real-life drama, important monetary stakes, and real-time developments will make the collection engaging to each cryptocurrency followers and normal audiences who should not aware of Bitcoin’s early days.
The agency has but to announce a launch date for any part of the venture.
Featured picture from Gemini Imagen, chart from TradingView