Kategorie: Bitcoin News

Bitcoin news about the Bitcoin (BTC) blockchain and its crypto ecosystem.

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UK man looks to buy landfill site amid search for $784m lost Bitcoin

  • James Howells claims to have lost a hard drive with 8,000 BTC at a landfill site in 2013.
  • The man now wants to buy the landfill site as the search for the lost BTC worth over $784 million continues.

James Howells, the man who has been in search of his lost bitcoin worth over $784 million since 2013 is seeking to buy a landfill.

Howell claims to have mistakenly discarded a hard drive that contained 8,000 BTC and is seeking to buy the landfill site where he lost it in an attempt to recover his fortune.

The man filed a lawsuit in a bid to have the Newport Council dig up the landfill to try and find the lost bitcoin.  In over 10 years Newport Council has made no attempts to try to recover the discarded bitcoin.

The quest for lost BTC

James Howells reported that his fiance discarded the hard drive containing cryptocurrency estimated to have a market value of $784 million in the landfill site in 2013. In an attempt to get his crypto assets back, Howells wants to buy the landfill site.

BBC recently reported that Howells has approached various investors with a bid to potentially buy the whole landfill site.

Since 2013, Howells claims that Newport city council have disregarded his plea to be allowed to search for his fortune. The city council has announced plans to have the landfill site converted to a solar farm. They have since acquired planning permission to establish a solar power firm on the site.

Howells had filed a lawsuit against the council seeking legal grounds to hunt for the accidentally discarded bitcoin. In January, a high court judge made a ruling dismissing the case that required Newport council to forcefully allow Howells to search for his bitcoin.

During the hearing, Howells noted that Newport council claimed that granting him a search warrant would have detrimental effects on the people around Newport. Plans to close the landfill were also underway, and that would be soon.

After failed attempts to have the council retrieve the hard drive worth millions for him, Howells offered to buy the whole landfill.

“I have discussed this option recently with investment partners and it is very much on the table,” he said, according to the BBC.

The post UK man looks to buy landfill site amid search for $784m lost Bitcoin appeared first on CoinJournal.

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BTC briefly touches $94k amid sentiment-driven dip

  • BTC fell below $95k as sellers intensified pressure.
  • As well as the sentiment, key events to watch out for this week include tariffs news, Fed chair Jerome Powells testimony and CPI data release.

Bitcoin (BTC) has witnessed notable downside pressure since recoiling from the all-time high reached in 2024 amid Trump’s victory in the US election.

The benchmark crypto asset has broken to year-to-date highs with bulls largely unfazed. However, the past few days have seen BTC struggle below the psychological $100k level.

BTC chart by CoinMarketCap

On Feb. 10, the price of BTC flipped negative to briefly touch lows of $94.7k. While it has bounced to above $97k at the time of writing, analysts at QCP Capital say the market is cautious.

What next for Bitcoin, altcoins

Notably, the dip that pushed Bitcoin price to lows of $94,745 appears to be more of sentiment-driven than a reflection of a fundamental shift in broader markets’ risk appetite. QCP analysts opine that volatility will remain skewed toward puts for the next couple months.

Among key things to watch out for is also Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell’s testimony and the upcoming consumer price index data. Trump’s latest tariff move involving a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum could also fuel further uncertainty.

“A feedback loop is emerging—Trump watches the markets, and the markets test his resolve. Will this embolden him further or force a pivot?” the analysts noted, pointing to the issue of tariffs and the market reaction.

Despite the potential impact of a short term outlook, whales are strengthening to suggest long term confidence in Bitcoin performance.

According to crypto analyst and YouTuber ‘CryptoJack’, 14,000 BTC have moved on-chain to suggest whales may be making moves amid an expected bull market.

Bitcoin traded near $98k as of 11:30 am CET, with bulls likely to target $100k if positive vibes surge.

The post BTC briefly touches $94k amid sentiment-driven dip appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Bitcoin hard drive containing $780m lost forever as UK landfill site is set to close

  • James Howells lost his court battle against Newport City Council in January
  • The judge ruled that there were “no reasonable grounds” for succeeding at a full trial
  • Today, Howells’ Bitcoin would be worth around $780 million

A UK landfill site where a man lost his hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin is reportedly set to close in the 2025-26 financial year.

The site, in Newport, Wales, “has been in exploitation since the early 2000s and is coming to the end of its life, therefore the council is working on a planned closure and capping of the site over the next two years,” said a council spokesperson.

According to the BBC, a solar farm will be built on part of the site after it received planning permission last August.

Lost battle

In January, James Howells lost his court battle against Newport City Council to recover his lost hard drive. In 2013, his former partner mistakenly threw it out in a black bin bag.  Judge Keyser KC, the Circuit Commercial Judge for Wales, dismissed Howells’ case. At the time, Keyser stated there were no “reasonable grounds” for succeeding at a full trial.

Over the last 12 years, Howells tried to engage with Newport City Council to recover his lost hard drive, but was “largely ignored.”

At the time of his loss, his assets – that he mined in 2009 – were worth around $1.3 million. Today, they would be valued at over $780 million.

The post Bitcoin hard drive containing $780m lost forever as UK landfill site is set to close appeared first on CoinJournal.

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BlackRock plans to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Europe

  • BlackRock is planning to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Switzerland.
  • This move follows the success of BlackRock’s US Bitcoin ETF.
  • The Bitcoin ETP could boost crypto adoption with the EU’s MiCA regulations.

BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, is gearing up to launch a Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) in Europe, marking another significant step in the firm’s expansion into the cryptocurrency market. The new ETP product is set to be registered in Switzerland.

This move follows the resounding success of BlackRock’s $58 billion US Bitcoin ETF. The success of BlackRock’s US Bitcoin ETF, which by early February 2025 had gathered $57.5 billion in net assets, speaks volumes about the investor appetite for such products.

CEO Larry Fink’s remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted Bitcoin’s potential as a hedge against currency debasement, suggesting a broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies as an alternative store of value.

This European venture is anticipated to attract both institutional and retail investors looking for exposure to Bitcoin without the complexities of direct cryptocurrency ownership.

Switzerland is becoming a digital asset innovation in Europe

The decision to domicile the ETP in Switzerland was strategic, leveraging the country’s reputation as a hub for digital asset innovation, particularly within its “Crypto Valley” in Zug.

Switzerland’s progressive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies has made it an attractive location for BlackRock to extend its Bitcoin investment offerings beyond North American borders.

The choice of Switzerland not only aligns with BlackRock’s aim to capitalize on crypto-friendly regulations but also positions the firm to lead in the European market.

Notably, the plans to launch an ETP in Europe comes at a time when the European Union is navigating its own regulatory path through the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which was established in 2023.

The MiCA framework aims to ensure consumer protection and market integrity, providing a stable environment for crypto investments.

Despite the European crypto market capitalizing at $17.3 billion — far less than the US’s $116.4 billion — BlackRock’s move could significantly boost the sector.

BlackRock’s entry into this market underscores the growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies, a trend that has been further propelled by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024.

The post BlackRock plans to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Europe appeared first on CoinJournal.

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MicroStrategy rebrands to Strategy, remains focused on Bitcoin

  • Strategy unveils a new Bitcoin logo and orange color scheme representing its Bitcoin strategy
  • Saylor is expected to discuss the rebrand during the company’s earnings call on Wednesday evening
  • Strategy currently has 471,107 Bitcoin in reserve worth $45.8 billion

MicroStrategy, the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, has announced it’s rebranded to Strategy and unveiled a new Bitcoin logo.

In a post on X, Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy, simply said: “new brand, same strategy,” with an image of him in front of the company’s new logo.

In an announcement released on February 5, Strategy said the rebrand was a “natural evolution of the company, reflecting its focus and broad appeal.” The stylized “B” in the new logo represents Strategy’s Bitcoin strategy while the orange color highlights “energy, intelligence, and Bitcoin,” according to the press release.

Strategy’s stock ticket, MSTB, remains the same.

The rebrand comes ahead of the company’s earnings call on Wednesday evening, during which Saylor is expected to discuss it.

Bitcoin buying strategy

Since 2020, Strategy has employed a Bitcoin buying strategy; however, over the past year, it has ramped up its efforts. In November, Saylor announced that the company was raising $21 billion from a stock sale so it could buy more Bitcoin.

According to data from SaylorTracker, the company currently has 471,107 Bitcoin worth $45.8 billion.

Claiming that Bitcoin represents digital capital, Saylor urged Microsoft to adopt Bitcoin, stating that “Bitcoin represents the greatest digital transformation of the 21st century.”

Other companies following in Strategy’s Bitcoin buying footsteps include Metaplanet, which is aiming to increase its Bitcoin holdings to 10,000 in 2025.

The post MicroStrategy rebrands to Strategy, remains focused on Bitcoin appeared first on CoinJournal.