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3471Haliey Welch, best known as the “Hawk Tuah” girl who went viral in 2024, is reportedly off the hook with the Securities and Exchange Commission. After launching a meme coin called $HAWK in December 2024—which crashed 95% within hours—Welch says the SEC has officially closed its investigation into her with no charges or penalties.
“For the past few months, I’ve been cooperating with all the authorities and attorneys, and finally, that work is complete,” Welch told TMZ.
Her attorney, James Sallah, confirmed the outcome: “The SEC closed the investigation without making any findings against, or seeking any monetary sanctions from, Haliey. Because they did not bring any action against her, there are no restrictions on what she can do in regards to crypto or securities in the future.”
Coffeezilla and the Internet React
Popular YouTuber and crypto critic Coffeezilla reacted with a scathing post on X: “Crime is legal.”
His response summed up the frustration shared by many online, who believe Welch should have faced consequences after promoting a token that tanked and left new investors holding the bag.
Comments flooded social media. One user wrote, “If you buy a meme coin named Hawk Tuah, it is natural selection,” while another added, “What crime?” Others were more cynical: “This is what happens when your entire government is corrupt,” and, “She hit ‘em with that hawk tuah.”
While some defended her, saying she didn’t do anything illegal, others called out the SEC for dropping the ball. “This is what the SEC should have protected people from,” one user posted. “Not all that other stupid litigation with Ripple.”
No Sympathy and Some Beef
Welch, who had gone mostly quiet after the crash, resurfaced recently in a leaked podcast episode with FaZe CEO Ricky Banks, where she called Coffeezilla a “big scary guy” and joked she’d never want to talk to him.
Coffeezilla clapped back, revealing that Welch’s legal team had actually invited him on her show. “Haliey Welch’s lawyer invited me on the show. In fact, he really, really wanted me on their show and kept telling me how much Haliey Welch liked me,” he said in a video, showing screenshots of the invite.
According to the message, Welch wanted a “friendly” longform conversation about crypto. Coffeezilla declined, saying he wasn’t interested in talking until there were more answers about the token launch.
What’s Next for Welch?
Welch says she’s done with crypto. Sources told TMZ she’s cut ties with the LLC behind the coin and won’t be promoting it anymore. She’s focusing instead on her “Talk Tuah” podcast and a planned documentary.
“Happy to be starting back up again,” Welch said, though she made it known that doesn’t include any new financial ventures.
Still, for many observers, the situation left a bad taste. As one commenter summed it up, “This is what you get when you buy sh*tcoins.”
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