Haliey Welch Opens Up About Crypto Scandal and FBI Investigation
Internet personality Haliey Welch, widely known as the “Hawk Tuah girl,” has spoken publicly about being investigated by US federal authorities following a failed cryptocurrency launch linked to her viral fame. Despite intense scrutiny from both the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Welch says she was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing.
The influencer recently addressed the saga on her podcast, where she shared the unexpected chain of events that followed the launch of a memecoin created in her name and image.
Image 1: Haliey Welch (Source: Reddit)
From Viral Fame to Crypto Trouble
Welch shot to internet stardom in mid-2023 after a humorous and cheeky comment she made during a street interview gained massive attention online. The clip, and her exaggerated “hawk tuah” expression, turned into a viral catchphrase, making her a recognisable figure on social media.
Capitalising on that fame, a group launched a cryptocurrency called HAWK in December. The coin was clearly tied to Welch’s internet persona, and her social media platforms were used to promote it. However, within hours of its release, the coin’s value nosedived. Blockchain analysts flagged suspicious trading activity, suggesting that insiders may have bought large amounts of the coin early and sold them off quickly to profit—leaving everyday buyers with worthless tokens.
As the value of the coin crashed and complaints from investors mounted, US authorities took notice.
Federal Scrutiny and Being ‘Set Up’
According to Welch, the FBI became involved shortly after the token collapsed. She recounted how federal agents unexpectedly visited her grandmother’s home in search of her. The visit left her family shaken, and she was forced to quickly cooperate with investigators.
She handed over her phone to the authorities and later underwent questioning related to her involvement in the crypto scheme. The SEC also requested access to her phone for a separate inquiry, which she complied with. In both cases, she says she was eventually told she was not at fault and no charges were filed.
Welch has since revealed that she had minimal understanding of how cryptocurrency works at the time. She claims she was drawn into the project by others she now believes took advantage of her inexperience. A marketing company, which she hasn’t identified due to legal constraints, allegedly took control of her X account and managed its content during the coin’s promotion. Welch says she was simply given pre-written scripts to record on video, with no real grasp of what she was endorsing.
When launch day arrived, Welch said she sensed something wasn’t right. She was abruptly asked to participate in a live stream alongside a YouTuber named Coffeezilla, who is well known for investigating crypto scams. Welch admitted she had no idea who he was and wasn’t warned about his background, which left her unprepared when he began questioning the legitimacy of the HAWK token.
Image 2: Haliey Welch (Source NewsBreak)
No Profit, Just Consequences
Welch insists she didn’t earn any profits from the coin’s success—or failure. She says she received a flat fee for marketing, which she spent entirely on lawyers and PR consultants after the controversy exploded. She maintains that she didn’t receive a share of the crypto itself and never intended to mislead her followers.
Despite avoiding legal consequences, Welch has expressed guilt and disappointment over how things played out. She acknowledged that many of her fans invested in the coin because they trusted her, and she regrets encouraging them to support something she didn’t fully understand.
She has since taken responsibility for her role, admitting that she allowed others to make decisions for her and failed to ask enough questions. It was, she says, a hard lesson in what can happen when fame meets inexperience.
Legal Action Against Others Involved
While Welch has walked away from the ordeal without charges, the same can’t be said for the individuals behind the creation and launch of the HAWK token. A group of investors filed a lawsuit in December against several people and entities involved in the coin’s promotion. The suit targets Alex Schultz, the Tuah the Moon Foundation, launch platform overHere Limited, and its founder, Clinton So.
The lawsuit alleges that the parties promoted and sold the coin illegally, treating it as an unregistered security under US law. Welch, however, is not named as a defendant in that case.
