Haliey Welch, higher referred to as “Hawk Tuah Woman,” 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 telephone to the SEC, however was in the end “cleared” of wrongdoing.
“They went by way of my telephone, so that they cleared me. I used to be good to go,” she stated. “I want we knew then what we all know now.” She additionally dodged direct accountability, as a substitute framing herself as an unwitting pawn: “I don’t have something to cover.”
However Welch’s motorized device 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 said she was “excited to be a part of meme tradition” and had “realized a lot” whereas working with launch companions to convey $HAWK to life.
The token, which launched on Solana, briefly hit a $491 million market cap earlier than plunging beneath $100 million in hours. Welch’s crew claimed the undertaking was legally compliant and backed by a Cayman basis, and stated 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 in response to Solscan and lots of of these holders by no means offered thus losses had been by no means realized. The $180,000 determine doesn’t embrace these holders.
Commentators on her podcast aren’t shopping for the story.
“She admits that she did not know something about it however determined to endorse it anyway and put it up for sale?” one YouTube remark learn. “You must have by no means connected your self to one thing you did not perceive,” one other stated.
HAWK costs are down 99% since its December peak, sitting at a tiny $104,000 market capitalization as of Tuesday morning.