Bitcoin News Roundup: Lost Fortunes, Major Investments, Politics & Milestones

After 12 Years of Failed Attempts, the Man Who Lost His Hard Drive Containing $742M in Bitcoin Finally Ends His Search

James Howells, an IT worker from Newport, South Wales, has officially ended his 12-year quest to recover a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins, now valued at $742 million, which he accidentally discarded in 2013. At the time of loss, the Bitcoins were worth $8 million, but the value has since skyrocketed, making this one of the most infamous cases of lost digital wealth.

Howells proposed an ambitious recovery plan involving AI-powered drones and robotic systems to search the Newport landfill, offering to fund the project himself. However, the Newport City Council denied permission due to environmental and legal concerns, including the risk of releasing toxic gases and violating UK waste management laws, which state that anything disposed of in a landfill becomes the property of the site.

After 11 years of legal battles and technical assessments, a British judge ruled in 2024 that Howells’ efforts had “no realistic prospect” of success, citing the likely destruction of the hard drive after a decade in harsh landfill conditions and the expiration of legal time limits for such claims. Despite the setback, Howells’ story will be featured in a documentary series titled “The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells,” produced by LEBUL and set for release in late 2025.

“This is the first time I’ve been able to show the world exactly what we want to do at the landfill site,” Howells said. Despite the court ruling against him, he insists, “I’m not giving up the fight.”

Year of Loss	Bitcoins Lost	Value at Loss	Current Value
2013	8,000 BTC	$8 million	$742 million

Howells’ recovery efforts spanned over a decade and included high-tech proposals.
Legal and environmental barriers ultimately prevented the search.
A documentary will chronicle his journey, set for release in late 2025.

Key Takeaway: James Howells’ story highlights the risks of digital asset management and the irreversible consequences of lost private keys, as well as the legal and environmental complexities of recovering lost cryptocurrency. (Source: The Daily Galaxy)

New MicroStrategy Preferred, a Bitcoin Play, Should Yield 10% or More

MicroStrategy is launching a new preferred stock offering that is positioned as a Bitcoin play, with expectations of yielding 10% or more. The company, known for its significant Bitcoin holdings, is targeting investors seeking exposure to cryptocurrency with the added benefit of a high yield.

The preferred stock is designed to attract those who want to participate in Bitcoin’s potential upside while receiving a steady income stream. This move comes as MicroStrategy continues to leverage its Bitcoin strategy to differentiate itself in the market.

MicroStrategy’s new preferred stock is expected to yield 10% or more.
The offering is aimed at investors interested in both Bitcoin exposure and income.

Key Takeaway: MicroStrategy’s innovative preferred stock offering provides a unique opportunity for investors to gain Bitcoin exposure with a high yield, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to cryptocurrency. (Source: Barron's)

Bitcoin ATM Operator CoinFlip to Explore Sale

CoinFlip, a Chicago-based operator of a global network of Bitcoin ATMs, is in the early stages of exploring a potential sale. According to sources familiar with the matter, the company is working with a financial adviser to seek a buyer.

CoinFlip is reportedly considering a valuation of at least $1 billion for the sale, though it remains uncertain whether this target will be achieved. The move comes amid increased dealmaking activity in the cryptocurrency sector.

Company	Industry	Potential Valuation
CoinFlip	Bitcoin ATM Operator	$1 billion (target)

CoinFlip operates a global network of cryptocurrency ATMs.
The company is seeking a buyer and considering a $1 billion valuation.

Key Takeaway: CoinFlip’s potential sale at a $1 billion valuation underscores the growing interest and consolidation in the cryptocurrency infrastructure space. (Source: Bloomberg.com)

At Bitcoin 2025, Crypto Purists and the MAGA Faithful Collide

The Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas brought together 35,000 attendees, including crypto purists and supporters of the MAGA movement. US Vice President JD Vance, the first vice president to own Bitcoin (valued between $250,000 and $500,000 as of August 2024), addressed the crowd, highlighting the administration’s embrace of Bitcoin.

The event featured a mix of political and crypto culture, with Trump’s sons present and a MAGA-themed merchandise table. Some attendees expressed concern that the establishment of a US strategic Bitcoin reserve, ordered by President Trump in March, strays from Bitcoin’s original cypherpunk ideals. Eric Trump, now cofounder and chief strategy officer of American Bitcoin, claimed that Truth Social raised $2.5 billion to build a “bitcoin treasury,” and both he and Donald Trump Jr. predicted Bitcoin could reach between $150,000 and $175,000 within a year.

The conference also saw debate over the politicization of Bitcoin, with some warning that aligning too closely with one party could provoke regulatory backlash. Ross Ulbricht, the former Silk Road operator recently pardoned by Trump, urged the community to “stay true to our principles—freedom, decentralization, and unity.”

“You can own bitcoin today and exit from this fucked-up establishment that's designed to steal from you and redistribute that money towards war and horror,” said Erik Cason, author of Cryptosovereignty.

35,000 attendees gathered at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas.
US Vice President JD Vance owns between $250,000 and $500,000 in Bitcoin.
Truth Social raised $2.5 billion for a bitcoin treasury.
Bitcoin price predictions from Trump’s sons: $150,000–$175,000 within a year.
Debate continues over the politicization of Bitcoin and its original ethos.

Key Takeaway: The Bitcoin 2025 conference highlighted the growing intersection of cryptocurrency and US politics, with both opportunities and risks as Bitcoin becomes increasingly mainstream and politicized. (Source: WIRED)

Bitcoin Life Insurer, Meanwhile, Becomes First Company to Publish Audited Financials Denominated in Bitcoin

Meanwhile Insurance Bitcoin (Bermuda) Limited has become the first company in the world to publish externally audited financial statements denominated entirely in Bitcoin. For 2024, the company reported 220.4 BTC in assets and 25.29 BTC in net income, representing a 300% year-over-year increase.

The financial statements, audited by Harris & Trotter LLP and its digital asset division ht.digital, comply with Bermuda’s Insurance Act 1978 and were approved by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. Meanwhile operates entirely in Bitcoin and is prohibited from liquidating its Bitcoin assets except through policyholder claims, positioning it as a long-term holder. The company also reported 23.02 BTC in net premiums and 4.35 BTC in investment income for 2024, with reserves reviewed and approved by Willis Towers Watson.

Meanwhile offers a Bitcoin Whole Life insurance product, allowing policyholders to save, borrow, and build legacy wealth in BTC, and plans to expand globally in 2025.

Year	Assets (BTC)	Net Income (BTC)	Net Premiums (BTC)	Investment Income (BTC)	YOY Net Income Growth
2024	220.4	25.29	23.02	4.35	300%

First company to publish audited financials denominated in Bitcoin.
220.4 BTC in assets and 25.29 BTC in net income for 2024.
Fully licensed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and operates entirely in BTC.
Plans for global expansion in 2025.

Key Takeaway: Meanwhile’s audited Bitcoin-denominated financials mark a significant milestone in the convergence of Bitcoin and institutional finance, demonstrating the viability of long-term business models based entirely on cryptocurrency. (Source: Bitcoin Magazine)

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