Hawk Tuah Girl Cleared as SEC Ends Crypto Coin Investigation

Haliey Welch known as the Hawk Tuah girl has announced the SEC has closed its probe into her controversial meme coin with no charges filed. The investigation launched after her HAWK token crashed in December 2024 left investors reeling and sparked allegations of fraud. Welch’s clearance reported by TMZ on March 27 2025 ends months of scrutiny over her role in the crypto fiasco.

The HAWK coin soared to a 490 million dollar market cap shortly after its debut before plunging over 95 percent in hours. Angry investors accused Welch and her team of a pump-and-dump scheme cashing out while fans lost millions. Welch maintained her innocence saying she cooperated fully with authorities to clear her name.

The SEC began its inquiry in late 2024 focusing on whether the coin’s launch violated securities laws. Blockchain data suggested insiders held up to 90 percent of the token supply fueling suspicion. Welch’s attorney James Sallah confirmed the agency found no evidence of wrongdoing on her part.

Welch rose to fame in June 2024 after a viral street interview where her hawk tuah quip became a cultural sensation. She leveraged that fame into a crypto venture hoping to reward fans but the collapse tarnished her reputation. The SEC’s decision lifts a legal cloud though a separate class-action lawsuit against her partners persists.

That lawsuit filed in December targets the coin’s creators overHere Ltd and others not Welch directly. Plaintiffs claim they lost over 150000 dollars alleging the team manipulated the launch for profit. Welch has said she’s cooperating with attorneys to help affected investors recover losses.

The crypto community remains split on her exoneration with some calling it a dodged bullet. Critics argue her inexperience made her a pawn for savvier operators who walked away with millions. Supporters see her as a naive victim of the volatile meme coin market.

Welch has kept a low profile since the scandal pausing her popular Talk Tuah podcast. In a leaked February episode she tearfully recounted the ordeal vowing to donate proceeds to charity. Her clearance could pave the way for a public comeback though trust may be hard to rebuild.

The HAWK saga underscores the risks of celebrity-backed crypto ventures especially for novice investors. Meme coins remain a Wild West with little oversight leaving fans vulnerable to hype and crashes. Welch’s case may spur calls for tougher regulations as the industry grows under Trump’s pro-crypto stance.