Crypto’s wildest real-life treasure hunt is set to hit the screen as an $800 million Bitcoin wallet, lost in a Welsh landfill, becomes the focus of a new global docuseries. The saga follows the riveting journey of British engineer James Howells, who accidentally lost access to 8,000 BTC in 2013 when his hard drive was thrown out—a mistake that’s now inspired a multi-platform blockchain storytelling project.
The project, entitled ‘The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells,’ aims to capture the drama of Howells’ decade-long pursuit to recover his lost fortune from Newport’s municipal landfill. Since 2013, with Bitcoin adoption and the price of BTC reaching historic highs, Howells’ story has evolved into a case study in digital asset custody and cryptocurrency security—a cautionary tale for anyone active in DeFi or holding crypto tokens.
The new docuseries is more than a recount of lost riches—it’s a showcase of real-time legal battles and environmental standoffs. Howells has repeatedly taken legal action against Newport City Council, demanding access to the landfill or a share of his lost cryptocurrency, once valuing his case at nearly £495 million. Despite offering to split potential recovered funds with the community, he continues facing resistance due to regulatory, environmental, and property law concerns—a growing issue in the crypto sector as digital assets intersect with real-world infrastructure.
The drama escalated in early 2025 when a major court in Cardiff rejected Howells’ most recent lawsuit. The city plans to close and redevelop the dump into a solar farm in the coming fiscal year. Undaunted, Howells has indicated a willingness to appeal to the Supreme Court or even purchase the entire dump himself. This highlights ongoing regulatory uncertainties in the cryptocurrency world, where fortune and risk often go hand-in-hand. For more expert analysis on crypto security, see our in-depth review of the best crypto wallets (top secure crypto wallets).
The docuseries adaptation stands out by threading expert commentary on DeFi, blockchain history, and environmental impact with Howells’ personal obsession. Streaming platforms and crypto sponsors have expressed interest, reflecting the global fascination with Bitcoin and the challenges of digital asset recovery. In a fast-evolving industry where trust and transparency are paramount, the story reminds crypto holders of the critical importance of private key and hardware wallet management—particularly as digital asset values soar. For a broader look at the future of crypto and decentralized finance, check out our beginner’s guide to cryptocurrency trading (crypto trading for beginners).
With crypto’s profile higher than ever, this real-life treasure hunt blurs the lines between technology, law, and high-stakes entertainment. As the world tunes in, the lost Bitcoin in Wales turns from forgotten e-waste into a captivating lesson on the risks and potential rewards of the blockchain era.