$800M in Bitcoin Rotting in Trash—Now It's Headed to Your TV Screen

A jaw-dropping $800 million bitcoin treasure buried in a landfill is being transformed into a global media project, blending real-time drama, tech innovation, and environmental warfare.

The Buried Bitcoin Docuseries Unleashes the Craziest Landfill Treasure Hunt Ever

Los Angeles-based entertainment media company Lebul announced on April 29 that it has acquired the exclusive rights to develop a multimedia adaptation of James Howells’ ongoing attempt to recover 8,000 BTC lost in a Welsh landfill—an endeavor now valued at nearly $800 million. The initiative will span multiple platforms, including a premium docuseries, a podcast, and an expansive social media campaign designed to engage a global audience.

“Dubbed The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells, a story chronicling James’ mission to recover the mistakenly discarded hard drive, now worth over $800 million from twelve years ago, while overcoming the numerous practical and bureaucratic obstacles standing in the way,” the company described, adding:

The series will blend cinematic storytelling with real-time global stakes, blockchain technology, and environmental innovation.

The series marks the first official adaptation of Howells’ story, which has captivated tech enthusiasts and crypto watchers alike for over a decade. The engineer’s years-long effort includes navigating municipal restrictions, engaging with environmental agencies, and leveraging cutting-edge recovery methods.

Howells, a Welsh IT engineer, accidentally discarded a hard drive containing 8,000 BTC into the Docksway landfill in Newport, Wales, in 2013. Despite assembling a team of technical and environmental experts and securing private funding to carry out a controlled excavation, Newport City Council has repeatedly denied him access to the site, citing environmental risks and asserting legal ownership of all landfill contents. After 10 years of petitioning local authorities and pursuing legal action, the High Court dismissed Howells’ case in January 2025, concluding that it had “no realistic prospect of succeeding.” Undeterred by the ruling, Howells is now considering purchasing the landfill before its planned closure in 2025–26 in order to launch the search independently.

Lebul’s leadership emphasized the high-stakes nature of the story and its cultural relevance. Reese Van Allen, president of unscripted entertainment at Lebul, stressed: “This isn’t just content.” He described:

It’s a live-action tech thriller with nearly a billion dollars on the line—and Lebul is proud to bring it to the world.

The company is positioning the venture as a bridge between traditional storytelling and digital innovation, supported by a global team of producers and strategists. With interest already emerging from major streaming services, crypto companies, and brand sponsors, the production is expected to draw wide attention as it explores the dramatic intersection of technology, wealth, and persistence.