UK IT engineer offers council $72 million to search for lost bitcoin treasure in dumpsites
Every treasure, physical or digital, is worth looking for even if the odds are stacked against you. A man who mistakenly threw away his bitcoin holdings seven years ago is back in the hunt and is offering an incentive to the authorities.
James Howells, a 35-year-old IT engineer in Newport mistakenly threw away a hard drive containing 7,500 bitcoins instead of an empty hard drive he meant to get rid of.
After realizing his costly mistake, Howells asked the council permission to search the site but his request has not been granted. To push for approval, the engineer is offering 25% (around $72 million) of his lost bitcoin holdings in the form of a Covid Relief Fund for the residents in the city.
7,500 BTC is too much to lose
7,500 bitcoins (approximately $290 million) is a lot of money to leave lying around in a landfill site and Howell is willing to take his chances despite the huge task of locating the hard drive, and the possibility that even if he finds it, it may no longer be working.“The way the landfill operated in 2013 was when a general waste bin was full, it was given a serial number, it was dragged off to the open pit and it was buried. It was also given a grid reference number,” said Howell.
Howell is convinced that if he is given access to landfill records and possibly identifies the week he mistakenly got rid of the hard drive; he can identify the serial number of the bin that the hard drive was in and eventually identify where the grid reference is located.
He says he wants to sit down with the authorities and present to them the action plan of what he wants to do. There is a hedge fund willing to provide the funds required for the search
Howell wants to concentrate the search on one specific area. He is also confident that he will be able to recover the bitcoins despite the time the hard-drive has been buried.
“There is no guarantee of that [it still working] because of the environment it’s been in, but there are things that give me confidence," said Howell.
The city has acknowledged that it has been contacted multiple times since 2014 to retrieve the lost bitcoins.
However, the city has held back on approving the search because the cost could run into millions, and there is no guarantee that the bitcoins will be recovered. The council also argues that they cannot grant excavation licenses due to the huge impact on the environment and surroundings.
100% Success Money Back Guarantee
If our approach doesn’t outperform the overall crypto market during your subscription, we’ll give you a full refund of your membership. No questions asked. For quarterly and monthly subscribers this is applicable once your subscription runs for 6 consecutive months.
Take your next step towards crypto success
$799/year
Get everything you need to actively manage your portfolio and stay ahead. Ideal for investors seeking regular guidance and access to tools that help make informed decisions.
For your security, all orders are processed on a secured server.
What’s included in Pro:
Success Guarantee, if we don’t outperform the market, you get 100% back, no questions asked
24/7 access to experts with 50+ years’ experience
All of our top token picks for 2025
Our latest memecoins pick with 50X potential
On hand technical analysis on any token of your choice
Weekly livestreams & ask us anything with the team
Daily insights on Macro, Mechanics, and On-chain
Curated list of top upcoming airdrops (free money)
Our track record speaks for itself
With over 2.4M tokens and widespread misinformation in crypto, we cut
through the noise and consistently find winning assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trust Cryptonary's calls?
Yes. We've consistently identified winners across multiple cycles. Bitcoin under $1,000, Ethereum under $70, Solana under $10, WIF from $0.003 to $5, PopCat from $0.004 to $2, SPX blasting past $1.70, and our latest pick has already 200X'd since June 2025. Everything is timestamped and public record.
Do I need to be an experienced trader or investor to benefit?
No. When we founded Cryptonary in 2017 the market was new to everyone. We intentionally created content that was easy to understand and actionable. That foundational principle is the crux of Cryptonary. Taking complex ideas and opportunities and presenting them in a way a 10 year old could understand.
What makes Cryptonary different from free crypto content on YouTube or Twitter?
Signal vs noise. We filter out 99.9% of garbage projects, provide data backed analysis, and have a proven track record of finding winners. Not to mention since Cryptonary's inception in 2017 we have never taken investment, sponsorship or partnership. Compare this to pretty much everyone else, no track record, and a long list of partnerships that cloud judgements.
Why is there no trial or refund policy?
We share highly sensitive, time-critical research. Once it's out, it can't be "returned." That's why membership is annual only. Crypto success takes time and commitment. If someone is not willing to invest 12 months into their future, there is no place for them at Cryptonary.
Do I get direct access to the Cryptonary team?
Yes. You will have 24/7 to the team that bought you BTC at $1,000, ETH at $70, and SOL at $10. Through our community chats, live Q&As, and member only channels, you can ask questions and interact directly with the team. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience which you can tap into every single day.
How often is content updated?
Daily. We provide real-time updates, weekly reports, emergency alerts, and live Q&As when the markets move fast. In crypto, the market moves fast, in Cryptonary, we move faster.
How does the success guarantee work?
If our approach to the market doesn’t beat the overall crypto market during your subscription, we’ll give you a full refund of your membership fee. No questions asked. For quarterly and monthly subscribers this is applicable once your subscription runs for 6 consecutive months.
Recommended from Cryptonary
