Haliey Welch, the creator behind the viral catchphrase “Hawk Tuah,” is facing severe backlash after her cryptocurrency, Hawk Tuah Coin (HAWK), crashed dramatically from a $490 million market cap to just $36.6 million within hours of its launch.
The drastic drop has led investors to accuse Welch of engaging in a pump-and-dump scheme, which allegedly left many with significant financial losses.
As the controversy escalated on social media, disgruntled fans became vocal critics, calling for accountability and justice. A prominent law firm has even offered to represent those impacted, hinting at potential legal actions against Welch.
In response to the growing furore, Welch took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend herself. She claimed that neither she nor her team profited from the launch and detailed their attempts to thwart early token sniping by imposing high fees, which they later removed. “Team hasn’t sold one token, and not one KOL was given a free token. We tried to stop snipers through high fees at launch on @MeteoraAG. Fees have now been dropped,” Welch stated.
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However, her statements did little to appease critics, who quickly highlighted inconsistencies in her defence. Accusations of misleading information and possible insider trading intensified, with some predicting severe legal repercussions for her actions.
As Welch continues to deny any misconduct, the situation surrounding the Hawk Tuah Coin suggests she may face a difficult path ahead, both legally and in public opinion. With her credibility and career at risk, the community and her followers keenly observe how this controversy unfolds, questioning whether Welch can recover her reputation or if this marks the onset of her downfall.