In the world of cryptocurrency, stories of astronomical gains and gut-wrenching losses abound. But few tales are as jaw-dropping as that of James Howells, a man from Wales who inadvertently threw away a fortune in Bitcoin — one that has grown to over $800 million today.
Let’s dive into this fascinating saga of lost wealth, bureaucratic hurdles, and the ticking clock that could make a millionaire dream fade into the abyss.
Back in 2013, James Howells, an IT worker from Newport, Wales, mistakenly discarded a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin. At the time, Bitcoin was valued at $100 per coin, putting the lost treasure at $800,000. While devastating then, today’s soaring Bitcoin prices have turned his loss into an $800 million tragedy.
So, how did it happen? In a twist of irony, it wasn’t James himself who threw away the hard drive — it was an accidental mistake by his ex-partner. Little did they know, that small error would become a legendary crypto horror story.