A tale of lost cryptocurrency, a Welsh landfill, and a decade-long legal saga is being brought to screens as part of a gripping new documentary project. LEBUL Entertainment announced it has acquired exclusive rights to the story of James Howells, the British engineer who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin — now worth over $800 million.
The upcoming multi-platform production, titled “The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells,” will span a premium docuseries, podcast, and social media campaign, weaving together elements of financial obsession, environmental controversy, and digital-age treasure hunting.
A Lost Fortune in the Trash
The story began in 2013, when Howells — an early Bitcoin miner — mistakenly discarded a hard drive during a house cleanout. The device was later buried in a massive landfill in Newport, Wales, along with millions of tons of municipal waste. At the time, Bitcoin was trading at just a few hundred dollars per coin. Today, the trove would be worth upwards of $800 million.
Since realizing the loss, Howells has spent over a decade petitioning the Newport City Council for permission to excavate the landfill. He’s offered to share the potential fortune with the city and its residents, at one point proposing a £495 million compensation deal. However, local authorities — citing environmental hazards, property rights, and public liability — have repeatedly denied his requests.
Courts, Crypto, and Controversy
In early 2025, Howells suffered a major setback when the Cardiff High Court rejected his latest appeal. The city has announced plans to shut down the landfill in the coming fiscal year and convert part of the site into a solar farm. Despite this, Howells has vowed to continue fighting — including potential appeals to the UK Supreme Court or even attempting to purchase the landfill outright.
“This isn’t just content,” said Reese Van Allen, President of Unscripted Entertainment at LEBUL. “It’s a live-action tech thriller with nearly a billion dollars on the line.”
Streaming Interest and Crypto Sponsorship
LEBUL’s adaptation is already generating buzz in both entertainment and crypto circles. The company confirmed interest from global streaming platforms and cryptocurrency firms seeking sponsorship or integration into the project.
Howells’ tale, often likened to a real-world treasure hunt, has captivated crypto enthusiasts for years. But this docuseries will offer a deeper look at the man behind the headlines — his obsession, frustration, and legal battles, set against the backdrop of a city balancing green policy with buried riches.
Tech Meets Drama
As debates over e-waste, privacy, and digital assets continue to escalate globally, “The Buried Bitcoin” promises to strike a timely chord. The series will blend archival footage, dramatic reenactments, and exclusive interviews, painting a cinematic portrait of one man’s quest to recover a lost digital fortune — and a society’s reluctance to let him try.
Release dates and streaming details are expected to be announced later this year.
