Haliey Welch, also known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” gained significant attention this summer after a viral street interview in which she shared candid sex advice. Since then, she has ventured into podcasting and established an animal charity, successfully transforming her online presence into that of an influencer. However, this rise in fame has brought some controversial endorsements, including support for X (formerly Twitter), its owner Elon Musk, and Tesla’s Cybertruck.
Recently, Welch became involved in the cryptocurrency realm, particularly with bitcoin and meme coins like Dogecoin, which she acquired due to Musk’s association with it. Embracing her status as a “Queen of Memes,” she launched a new cryptocurrency called $HAWK on the blockchain platform Solana. Marketed as a legitimate venture, this coin quickly attracted attention but also skepticism within the crypto community.
Initially, $HAWK experienced a dramatic surge in value, skyrocketing by 900 percent and approaching a market cap of nearly half a billion dollars. However, excitement turned to dismay as the coin’s value plummeted by approximately 95 percent just hours later, prompting accusations of it being a pump-and-dump scheme. Observers noted concerning patterns, such as insiders allegedly offloading their stakes for significant profit while a small group controlled a large portion of the coin’s supply.
In an attempt to address growing concerns, Welch and her team hosted an audio event on X Spaces, yet their efforts were met with skepticism. Notably, YouTuber Coffeezilla openly criticized the launch, labeling it a disaster and questions about transaction fees remained unresolved. The situation worsened as details emerged about Welch’s financial incentives, revealing she received substantial advances for promoting $HAWK.
As criticisms mounted, Welch’s response appeared inadequate, and the consequences for her credibility and the trust of her followers remain uncertain. Despite the backlash, one positive aspect is that this episode serves as a cautionary tale for both influencers and investors about the importance of due diligence and awareness in the volatile world of cryptocurrency.
Summary: Haliey Welch, known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” launched a cryptocurrency called $HAWK amid hopes of gaining further fame, only to face a dramatic collapse in its value shortly after launch, leading to accusations of financial misconduct and poor management. Her case exemplifies the risks associated with influencers entering the crypto space without sufficient knowledge, and highlights the need for more responsible practices in cryptocurrency promotions.