UK Bitcoin Landfill Case Takes a Wild Turn: $660 Million Hard Drive in a UK Dump: Why Authorities Still Say ‘No!

The UK Court of Appeals has denied a man’s request for a permit to search a landfill for a hard drive containing private keys to 8,000 Bitcoin. James Howells, also known as the UK Bitcoin Landfill guy, has expressed his displeasure at government authorities through a post on X. While Howells has already gone to extraordinary lengths to get his way back to his lost fortune, the Royal Court of the UK remains stern in their decision.

In the latest development in the UK Bitcoin landfill case, through a post on the social media website X on March 14, Howells announced that his plea to excavate the Newport landfill was denied. Howells posted an image of the official document, where his appeal stood refused by the judge, citing ‘no real prospect of success’ and that there is no other compelling reason that this should be heard further. 

Appeal request to the Royal Court of Appeal: refused

The Great British Injustice System strikes again…

The state always protects the state.

Next stop: ECHR pic.twitter.com/KFYRSbsEPo

— James Howells (@howelzy) March 14, 2025

James Howells had mined 8,000 Bitcoin tokens in the early 2010s, storing the credentials to his wallet on a hard drive. In 2013, he mistakenly discarded the hard drive containing those private keys, losing all his tokens. Ever since he has been vying for permission to scavenge the Newport landfill in hopes of finding said hard drive. Given the Bitcoin price today, the value of Howells’ lost holdings stands at $660 million. 

“Appeal request to the Royal Court of Appeal: refused, Next stop: ECHR”: Howells on X

Howells also hinted that he will now broach the UK Bitcoin landfill case with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). It has been revealed that Howells plans to complain against the UK Royal Court for denying him the Right to Property and the Right to a Fair Trial after his $495 million lawsuit against the Newport City Council was dismissed earlier this year. 

Last month, he also claimed to have secured funding to buy the Newport landfill in order to seek his lost fortune. In any case, if Howells can secure the hard drive, it will make for one of the most incredible stories in the crypto circuit.  

Bitcoin Price Now: BTC Fluctuates, Vies For $84K Consolidation Again

The Bitcoin price in the last 24 hours has shown rapid action on the charts, again highlighting the volatility of the market.  Bitcoin price today has tested key support and resistance levels. The price stood at $84,310 at the start of the day. The price seemed to be on a downtrend but soon found support around the $83,700 mark. From there, Bitcoin tested the $84,400 resistance level several times, before finally finding a downward breakout that would take it to $82,400.

Chart 1, analyzed by raodevansh18, published on TradingView, March 17, 2025

The RSI heavily oversold conditions, hinting at a trend reversal as Bitcoin started rising, spiking skywards and reaching its 24-H high of $85,000. As the buying trend lost steam, the price stumbled downwards, eventually finding support at $82,000 at 23:05 UTC. Ever since, Bitcoin has been on an upward trend, facing rejection at $83,800. 

What’s Next For Bitcoin Price Today: Bitcoin Price Prediction

Between market unpredictability and institutional movements, Bitcoin price prediction is quite challenging. A death cross in the early hours of March 17 led the price downward, and Bitcoin is predicted to rubberband back to challenge the resistance levels. Analyzing recent trends, investors are making their Bitcoin price prediction, suggesting that BTC could soon break past the $84,200 resistance. However, as buying pressure rises again, a short reversal may occur. The magnitude of this reversal will determine how the rest of the day goes. If the downtrend picks up steam, the $82,000 may very well be in a spot of bother.