Haliey Welch, the internet sensation known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding her cryptocurrency meme coin, $HAWK, for the first time in detail. In a recent episode of her podcast *Talk Tuah*, Welch revealed that she had no understanding of how cryptocurrency worked when she launched the Hawk Tuah coin on the Solana blockchain in December 2024. She admitted, “I couldn’t tell you how crypto worked the day that coin launched… so that screwed me” and expressed regret for those who trusted her and suffered losses.
The $HAWK token experienced a dramatic crash shortly after its launch, plummeting by approximately 95% within hours. It initially reached a market capitalization near $500 million before collapsing to around $25 million, causing significant financial losses for investors. The rapid decline led to allegations of a rug pull, and a lawsuit was filed against the coin’s developers for unlawful promotion and sale of the token. However, Welch clarified that she only received a marketing fee and did not profit from the coin itself.
Following the crash, Welch faced intense legal scrutiny. She disclosed that the FBI visited her grandmother’s home, where she was questioned and her phone was examined. Welch described the interrogation as stressful but stated she was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing. Subsequently, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also investigated her, reviewing her phone data. The SEC closed the investigation without filing any charges or sanctions against her.
Welch attributed her involvement in the crypto project to being misled and trusting the wrong people. She said her management was approached by a cryptocurrency firm that proposed the collaboration, and although skeptical, she agreed to promote the coin based on promises of a marketing fee and charitable contributions. She emphasized that she was not involved in the coin’s management or operations and was given scripts to read for promotional videos.
After months of silence and a social media hiatus, Welch has returned to public life, relaunching her podcast and distancing herself from the crypto venture. She has parted ways with the LLC behind the coin and announced she will no longer engage in cryptocurrency projects. Additionally, Welch is reportedly involved in a documentary exploring her rise to fame and the bizarre circumstances surrounding the Hawk Tuah meme coin saga.
Welch’s story highlights the risks of celebrity involvement in crypto projects without full understanding and the potential fallout when such ventures fail. Despite the controversy, Welch maintains she had no malicious intent and is committed to cooperating with legal teams to help those affected.
