Hawk Tuah girl Hailey Welch reportedly walks away clean after the crypto scam as SEC close investigation

Hailey Welch, nicknamed the "Hawk Tuah" girl, has survived scrutiny of her involvement in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) probe into a cryptocurrency scheme that has left investors reeling. As per an exclusive TMZ report, without filing any charges against Welch, the SEC has closed its inquiry into $HAWK, a so-called meme token that Welch has promoted and subsequently distanced herself from.

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SEC is not filing any charges

Following months of investigation, the SEC closed its inquiry into Welch’s connection to $HAWK. The token had grown rapidly before the value crashed, provoking claims that it was a pump-and-dump. Although numerous investors lost money, Welch’s attorney, James Sallah, said there were no findings of wrongdoing against her; she will not be subject to any financial penalties or restrictions on future business endeavors.

"For the past few months, I've been cooperating with all the authorities and attorneys, and finally, that work is complete," said Hailey to TMZ.

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Rise and Fall of $HAWK Token

The $HAWK token was created in December 2024, using Welch's viral fame on the internet. Her "Hawk Tuah" catchphrase had launched her to social media stardom, and crypto fans were quick to cash in on her fame. At first, the coin caught on, with investors hoping to surf meme culture into the black.

But in the following weeks, the value of the token plummeted, sparking speculation of market manipulation. Investors have alleged that the token’s developers had engineered a classic pump-and-dump scheme, in which the price is artificially pumped up before the key insiders dump their holdings, leaving the rest holding worthless assets.

As lawsuits and complaints began piling up, regulation authorities were called upon to investigate.

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Welch immediately distances herself from the Crypto project

Faced with swirling controversy, Welch sought to distance herself from the token, claiming she was simply a promotional figure and had not been involved in the coin’s management or finances.

She posted the following on X:

“I am fully cooperating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted, as well as to help uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and resolve this matter.”

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What’s Next for Welch?

Now that the SEC’s investigation is in the rearview mirror, Welch is turning her attention to new endeavors. Some say she has severed ties with the LLC that promoted $HAWK and is now focusing her efforts on a podcast called Talk Tuah and a forthcoming documentary project.

In any case, Welch has a large online following and is still profiting from her viral internet fame despite the controversy. Whether her brand will completely bounce back from the crypto scandal is yet to be seen, but as of now, she has emerged from the controversy without any legal ramifications.

Meanwhile, the investors affected by the collapse of the $HAWK token continue to seek justice. However, several lawsuits against the developers of the cryptocurrency are ongoing, raising many questions about who exactly profited from the failed project.