A British convert to virtual currency bitcoin, whose value has in recent days topped US$11,000 ($15,951), had mixed feelings as he contemplated a portfolio ostensibly worth US$108 million ($156m) - but beyond his grasp, buried under tonnes of garbage in a landfill. James Howells was an early convert to the technology long before bitcoin, dubbed "digital gold," became all the rage, its value soaring some 1,400 per cent since the start of the year. Exactly 12 months ago the unit, not accepted by any central banks but steadily gaining traction as a store of value or virtual commodity, was worth US$732 - though its ... (full story)