Haliey Welch, higher often called “Hawk Tuah Woman,” is now distancing herself from final December’s failed HAWK memecoin — regardless of beforehand calling it a completely compliant, fan-focused token she was proud to launch.
In a brand new episode of her Discuss Tuah podcast, Welch claimed she was questioned by the FBI and handed over her telephone to the SEC, however was in the end “cleared” of wrongdoing.
“They went by means of my telephone, so that they cleared me. I used to be good to go,” she mentioned. “I want we knew then what we all know now.” She additionally dodged direct accountability, as an alternative framing herself as an unwitting pawn: “I don’t have something to cover.”
However Welch's newest feedback — claiming she didn’t perceive crypto and felt “sick” that followers trusted her — stand in sharp distinction to her authentic announcement in November 2024.
On the time, Welch mentioned she was “excited to be a part of meme tradition” and had “discovered a lot” whereas working with launch companions to deliver $HAWK to life.
The token, which launched on Solana, briefly hit a $491 million market cap earlier than plunging under $100 million in hours. Welch’s staff claimed the challenge was legally compliant and backed by a Cayman basis, and mentioned her tokens would vest over three years.
Welch claims consumer losses are far decrease
She went on to assert that whereas initially buyer losses had been estimated to be as excessive as $1.2 million, the actual loss determine stands at $180,000.
Nonetheless, there are nonetheless 10,149 token holders based on Solscan and plenty of of these holders by no means bought thus losses had been by no means realized. The $180,000 determine doesn’t embody these holders.
Commentators on her podcast aren’t shopping for the story.
“She admits that she didn't know something about it however determined to endorse it anyway and put it up for sale?” one YouTube remark learn. “It is best to have by no means connected your self to one thing you didn't perceive,” one other mentioned.
HAWK costs are down 99% since its December peak, sitting at a tiny $104,000 market capitalization as of Tuesday morning.
