‘Hawk Tuah’ Meme Star Cleared by FBI and SEC in $400M HAWK Token Collapse, Says She’s Done With Crypto

• Haliey Welch, known for the “Hawk Tuah” meme, says the FBI and SEC have cleared her.
• Despite being the face of the coin, she was not named in the investor lawsuit.
• Welch says she regrets getting involved, feels she let fans down, and is completely done with crypto.

Haliey Welch, the viral internet sensation behind the “Hawk Tuah” meme, has spoken publicly about her involvement in the failed HAWK meme coin project. 

She claims the FBI and the SEC have cleared her of wrongdoing after a months-long investigation into the token’s dramatic rise and fall.

HAWK Token’s Rise and Fall Triggers Federal Probes

The HAWK token launched on December 4, 2024, in partnership with Web3 launchpad OverHere Limited. It briefly soared to a market cap of $400 million before plunging over 90% amid allegations of insider manipulation. In the days following the crash, investors accused the team behind the project of orchestrating a pump-and-dump scheme.

Related: 50 Cent’s X Hacked in Latest Crypto Pump-and-Dump Scheme

FBI Interrogation and SEC Probe

In a recent podcast episode, Welch revealed that she was questioned by the FBI, who reportedly visited her grandmother’s home shortly after the collapse. “They interrogated me, asking me questions and everything else related to crypto,” Welch said. She added that investigators looked through her communications with anyone connected to the project.

Following that, the SEC launched a separate inquiry, during which Welch said she submitted her phone for review. According to her, both agencies ultimately cleared her of any legal involvement.

“I wasn’t named in the lawsuit, none of that,” she said. “So legally, I was not in trouble because I didn’t do anything. And I have proof that I didn’t do anything.”

Not Named in Investor Lawsuit

After the HAWK token crash, a group of investors who claimed to have lost around $151,000 filed a lawsuit against key figures tied to the launch, including Alex Larson Schultz, OverHere Limited, Clinton So, and the Tuah the Mood Foundation. Welch, despite being the public face of the coin, was not named as a defendant in the case.

She stated she was advised not to speak publicly during the legal process, which is why she remained silent until now.

Related: Is Haliey Welch Really in the Clear? SEC Hasn’t Confirmed HAWK Probe End

“I Trusted the Wrong People”

Welch said she was approached by multiple crypto teams pitching token launches tied to her viral fame. Despite initial hesitation, she eventually accepted one of the proposals, not realizing the complexity and legal risks involved.

“I did not have enough knowledge about crypto to get involved with it, and I knew that, but I got talked into it,” Welch explained. “I trusted the wrong people that screwed me.”

She said her involvement was limited to social media promotion and that she only received a marketing fee, adding that she “did not make a dime” from the token’s launch or performance.

Done with Crypto

Now, the 23-year-old influencer says she is completely done with crypto and will not entertain any more Web3-related offers. “If someone ever presents me another idea about anything crypto-related, I’ll probably smack them in the face,” Welch said.

Welch also expressed remorse for her fans who lost money. She acknowledged that her promotion may have encouraged others to invest in the doomed project. “I let them down,” she said.