- Social media influencer Hailey Welch, known as the “Hawk Tuah girl,” says she was traumatized by the HAWK memecoin collapse and ensuing public backlash.
- The HAWK token surged to a $490 million market cap before crashing over 91% the next day, with investor losses estimated at $200,000.
- While Welsh claims ignorance and FBI clearance, crypto investigator ZachXBT publicly criticized her decision to launch the token despite warnings.
In a Friday interview with Andrew Callaghan of the Channel 5 YouTube channel, internet personality Hailey Welch revealed the severe personal toll of promoting the failed HAWK memecoin in late 2024. Welch, famous as the “Hawk Tuah girl,” stated the incident and subsequent backlash left her traumatized and fearing for her safety.
She told Callaghan, “I got talked into doing something that I didn’t know anything about.” Consequently, Welch cooperated with a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe in 2025, which she says cleared her of any wrongdoing. She further claimed no technical expertise or possession of the launch funds.
Her lawyer estimated retail investor losses totaled $200,000, according to her Channel 5 discussion. However, the social media fallout was devastating, with Welch receiving death threats and being forced into hiding. “I was starting to get death threats and everything else,” she explained.
Not everyone accepted her account, as onchain investigator ZachXBT expressed little sympathy. He argued she proceeded with the launch despite widespread warnings from crypto communities. The HAWK memecoin itself skyrocketed to a $490 million market cap upon its December 2024 launch.
Market data from DEXScreener shows it then crashed over 91% the next day, falling below $42 million. This rapid collapse was widely characterized as a rug pull, leading to an investor lawsuit alleging unregistered securities.
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