Haliey Welch, higher often known as “Hawk Tuah Lady,” is now distancing herself from final December’s failed HAWK memecoin — regardless of beforehand calling it a totally compliant, fan-focused token she was proud to launch.
In a new episode of her Discuss Tuah podcast, Welch claimed she was questioned by the FBI and handed over her cellphone to the SEC, however was in the end “cleared” of wrongdoing.
“They went by way of my cellphone, 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 duty, as a substitute 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 “realized a lot” whereas working with launch companions to carry $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 mission was legally compliant and backed by a Cayman basis, and mentioned her tokens would vest over three years.
Welch claims person losses are far decrease
She went on to say that whereas initially buyer losses have been estimated to be as excessive as $1.2 million, the true loss determine stands at $180,000.
Nonetheless, there are nonetheless 10,149 token holders in response to Solscan and plenty of of these holders by no means bought thus losses have 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 on the market?” one YouTube remark learn. “You need to have by no means hooked up 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.