From FBI Raid to Exoneration: How Haliey Welch Navigated the HAWK Memecoin Fallout

The viral internet sensation known as “Hawk tuah girl” recently revealed details about regulatory scrutiny she faced following the troubled launch of her namesake cryptocurrency token. During a May 21 episode of her podcast, Haliey Welch disclosed that federal agents conducted investigations into her involvement with the HAWK memecoin before ultimately concluding she had no culpability.

The Unexpected Government Visit

The regulatory probe began in an unusual manner. Welch recounted how FBI agents appeared at her grandmother’s residence seeking to question her about the cryptocurrency project. Her grandmother, caught off guard by the visit, immediately contacted Welch in distress. The agents subsequently obtained Welch’s phone and conducted an extended interrogation, questioning her extensively about her role in the token’s promotion and her knowledge of cryptocurrency matters.

The Securities and Exchange Commission followed with its own investigation, requesting access to her device for a period of two to three days. Both agencies ultimately reached the same conclusion—Welch bore no legal responsibility for what transpired.

Understanding the HAWK Memecoin Collapse

The token bearing Welch’s catchphrase launched in early December and rapidly declined, shedding approximately 90% of its value almost immediately. Blockchain analysis firms identified suspicious trading patterns, with insider wallets and aggressive traders acquiring and selling vast quantities of tokens at the initial offering. Fraud allegations surrounded the project, with critics claiming it operated as a scheme designed to exploit retail investors.

A group of affected HAWK investors initiated legal action in December against alleged creators, including individuals associated with the Tuah the Moon Foundation and overHere Limited. Notably, Welch was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Welch’s Account: Manipulation and Regret

During her podcast appearance, Welch acknowledged her limited understanding of cryptocurrency prior to the HAWK project. She emphasized that she had “trusted the wrong people” in overseeing the token’s rollout. According to her narrative, an undisclosed company maintained control of her social media account, posting promotional videos without her direct involvement. She claimed to have received scripts to record, which were subsequently uploaded by associates whose identities she could not publicly disclose for legal reasons.

On launch day, Welch sensed complications unfolding. She was positioned for a live interview with YouTube personality Coffeezilla, a crypto commentator known for his investigative content. During the broadcast, those coordinating the project allegedly instructed her to mute the stream. Welch described feeling unprepared and uninformed about Coffeezilla’s expertise in cryptocurrency matters, stating she felt “eaten up” by the encounter.

Financial Exposure and Accountability

Welch clarified that her compensation consisted solely of a marketing fee, with zero earnings derived from the token itself. She stated that available funds were directed toward legal defense and public relations costs. Despite being exonerated by regulatory authorities, she expressed genuine remorse about misleading her fanbase. “It makes me feel really bad that they trusted me,” she reflected, acknowledging that her lack of crypto knowledge should have prevented her participation in such ventures.

Her legal representative, James Sallah, confirmed to media outlets in March that the SEC had officially closed its investigation without issuing findings against Welch or pursuing financial penalties.

This case underscores the intersection of social media influence, cryptocurrency ventures, and regulatory oversight—a space where well-intentioned internet personalities can become entangled in schemes orchestrated by more experienced actors.