James Howells believes his lost Bitcoin hard drive, worth approximately £598 million, is buried in a Newport landfill after it was mistakenly discarded in 2013.

The Newport City Council plans to close the landfill to build a solar farm, arguing that allowing Howells to search would negatively impact local residents.

Despite the setback, Howells is considering appealing the judge's decision and remains hopeful about acquiring the landfill.

Howells has expressed frustration with the council's lack of understanding of cryptocurrency, suggesting that Newport could have benefitted economically if they had engaged with the technology.

He criticized the council for not recognizing the potential economic benefits of recovering the hard drive and has repeatedly requested their assistance.

Howells' pursuit of the Bitcoins has turned into a public saga, capturing global attention and raising questions about persistence in overcoming obstacles.

The case raises important legal questions regarding ownership and recovery of lost cryptocurrency, which may set precedents for future cases.

If successful, Howells intends to keep 30% of the Bitcoins, allocate 30% to the recovery team, and distribute the remaining 40% among investors and local causes.

In 2021, Howells offered Newport City Council a quarter of his fortune for assistance in retrieving the hard drive, but the council refused, citing environmental regulations and high excavation costs.

Howells plans to employ human sorters, robot dogs, and an AI-powered machine designed to identify hard drives on a conveyor belt to locate the drive.

Since the loss of his Bitcoin, its value has significantly increased, leading to frustration for Howells as he watches the growing worth of his lost wallet.

The outcome of Howells' efforts remains uncertain as he continues to fight against time and local authorities to reclaim his lost wealth.