Ex-Partner of James Howells Tosses $716 Million Bitcoin Wallet, Claims It Was at His Request

The saga of James Howells and his $716 million Bitcoin fortune, lost in a Welsh landfill nearly a decade ago, has taken an unexpected turn. Howells’ former partner, Halfina Eddy-Evans, recently revealed that she disposed of the hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin at his request, a decision that has now sparked legal battles and renewed public attention.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Eddy-Evans explained that she followed Howells' instructions to discard the hard drive, and she asserts that "losing it was not [her] fault." The hard drive, which contains a Bitcoin fortune worth over $716 million today, was discarded in 2013 when the cryptocurrency’s value was still relatively low.

A $716 Million Mistake: The Lost Hard Drive

The story began in 2013 when Howells, an IT engineer, mistakenly threw away the hard drive while clearing out old computer parts. At the time, Bitcoin was worth less than $1 per coin, so its potential value went unnoticed. According to Eddy-Evans, she took the drive to a local landfill at Howells’ request, after he “begged” her to dispose of the "unwanted belongings."

It was only years later that Howells realized the drive contained 8,000 Bitcoin he had mined in 2009, during Bitcoin’s early days when its value was negligible. Today, with Bitcoin’s soaring price, the lost fortune is worth a staggering $716 million.

Legal and Environmental Roadblocks

Since discovering the magnitude of the loss, Howells has pursued numerous efforts to retrieve the hard drive from the landfill. He has repeatedly appealed to the Newport City Council for permission to excavate the landfill where the hard drive was discarded. However, the council has consistently denied his requests, citing environmental risks and logistical challenges involved in digging through over 110,000 tons of waste.

Undeterred by these refusals, Howells offered to privately fund the excavation, even pledging $11 million to cover costs and promising to donate 10% of any recovered funds to the council. Despite his offers, the council maintains that its environmental license does not allow such an operation, leaving Howells with no recourse but to pursue legal action. He has since filed a lawsuit seeking £495 million (approximately $647 million) in damages from the council for denying his request to excavate the landfill.

The Dangers of Self-Custody in the Crypto World

This bizarre case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with self-custody of cryptocurrency, where the responsibility for safeguarding digital assets falls entirely on the owner. Eddy-Evans’ comments highlight the importance of secure storage solutions for cryptocurrency holders. Improper storage can lead to losses that, in some cases, are irreversible.

The Howells saga underscores the need for careful planning and secure storage when managing digital assets. Using a hardware wallet, often referred to as a “cold wallet,” is one of the safest ways to store Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies offline, making them less vulnerable to online hacks. Additionally, storing private keys and recovery phrases in multiple secure locations, such as safe deposit boxes or encrypted digital storage, is crucial for protecting funds.

Whether holding assets in online wallets, app-based wallets, or hardware solutions, cryptocurrency owners must prioritize security to avoid potentially catastrophic losses—like losing millions of dollars through simple mistakes or poor storage practices.

Conclusion

As the legal battle over Howells' lost Bitcoin continues, the case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of responsible cryptocurrency management. For Howells, the lost Bitcoin represents not just financial ruin but a missed opportunity that may never be recovered. His ongoing pursuit to excavate the landfill shows the lengths to which people will go to recover lost digital fortunes. Meanwhile, Eddy-Evans’ role in the saga reminds us of the complexities of managing digital assets and the need for proper safeguards to avoid disaster.