Ex-partner reveals role in $716M Bitcoin loss

James Howells’ ongoing battle to recover his lost Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) fortune has gained new insights, as his former partner, Halfina Eddy-Evans, disclosed that she discarded the hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin in 2013 at Howells’ request.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Eddy-Evans stated, “Losing it was not [her] fault,” explaining that Howells had asked her to dispose of "unwanted belongings."  

At the time, Bitcoin's value was negligible compared to today, and the significance of the hard drive went unnoticed.  

The cryptocurrency, mined by Howells in 2009 when its value was under $1 per token, is now worth over $716 million.  

Realising the magnitude of the loss, Howells has repeatedly appealed to Newport City Council for permission to excavate the landfill where the hard drive is believed to be located.  

Despite his offer to fund the operation privately, including an $11 million proposal and a pledge to donate 10% of the recovered Bitcoin to the council, his requests have been denied.  

The council cited environmental risks and logistical complexities associated with searching through approximately 110,000 tons of waste.  

In response, Howells has filed a lawsuit against the council, seeking damages of 495 million British pounds (around $647 million).  

The incident highlights the importance of secure cryptocurrency storage.  

Experts advise using offline storage solutions like hardware wallets to safeguard digital assets, alongside maintaining multiple copies of recovery keys in secure locations.  

At the time of reporting, the Bitcoin (BTC) price was $94,583.65.