#UK court halts treasure hunt plan#

A UK court has dismissed IT engineer James Howells' application to search a Newport landfill for a hard drive containing $735 million worth of Bitcoin, citing environmental risks. Howells accidentally discarded the hard drive containing the Bitcoin in 2013 and has been trying to persuade Newport City Council to allow him access to the landfill to excavate. However, the council has consistently refused, arguing that excavation would cause irreversible damage to the environment. Judge Keyser KC ruled that the case had "no realistic prospect of success at trial" and ultimately dismissed Howells' application. The case has sparked debate about the balance between environmental protection and individual property rights, and serves as a reminder of the importance of secure digital asset custody.