**Hailey Welch Disappears Amid $HAWK Cryptocurrency Scandal**
Hailey Welch, the social media star famously dubbed the “Hawk Tuah” girl, appears to have retreated from the limelight. Her well-liked weekly podcast, *Talk Tuah*, has not produced a new episode in two weeks, and Welch has been inactive on her social media platforms during the same period. Notably, there was no prior communication regarding any break for the show.
Welch gained viral attention over the summer when she popularized the phrase “Hawk Tuah” in a quick video that went viral. She capitalized on her new fame by launching a merchandise line and subsequently a podcast that surged to the top of Spotify’s rankings. Everything seemed to be thriving—until Welch entered the cryptocurrency space.
### The Rise and Fall of $HAWK
On December 4, Welch promoted the debut of her Hawk Tuah-themed cryptocurrency, $HAWK. The memecoin initially skyrocketed in value, hitting a market cap in the hundreds of millions. However, this success was short-lived, as the coin’s value plummeted almost right away, resulting in substantial financial losses for many investors.
Investigations into the incident uncovered that a majority of $HAWK tokens were concentrated in a few wallets. Critics claimed that insiders had been granted pre-launch access to the cryptocurrency, allowing them to sell off their shares for a profit after the launch. This left Welch’s supporters, many of whom had invested in $HAWK, suffering significant losses.
In light of the criticism, Welch and her crypto associates at OverHere held a live Spaces stream on X (formerly Twitter) to discuss the matter. The stream quickly became tense, with listeners—including noted YouTube crypto analyst Coffeezilla—criticizing Welch and her team. However, before any meaningful responses could be offered, Welch suddenly interjected.
### “Anywho, I’m Gonna Go to Bed”
During the late-night December 5 stream, Welch chimed in, remarking, “Hey guys! I hate to interrupt you, Nick, but hello there. Anywho, I’m gonna go to bed and I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” That offhand remark marked the last instance Welch has been heard from in public.
### Fallout and Finger-Pointing
While Welch has stayed quiet, her associates at OverHere have sought to deflect responsibility. In a recent statement, the group targeted Alex Larson Schultz, also referred to as Doc Hollywood, asserting he “controlled all token decisions, fees, [and the] treasury.” Schultz, who is a music producer, DJ, and crypto promoter and also the son-in-law of comedian Howie Mandel, has yet to reply to these claims.
Mashable attempted to reach Welch for comments but has not received a reply. The *Talk Tuah* podcast, which launched on September 3, had consistently delivered weekly episodes until December 3, just one day prior to the $HAWK launch. Welch’s social media profiles have also remained dormant since the cryptocurrency’s plummet.
### Legal Issues Ahead
The turmoil surrounding $HAWK is far from concluded. Investors who incurred losses in the memecoin have initiated a lawsuit against its creators, claiming they unlawfully sold unregistered securities. This legal development could force Welch or other members of the $HAWK team to eventually address the situation.
For now, Welch’s fans and critics are left pondering: Where is Hailey Welch, and what lies ahead for the “Hawk Tuah” narrative?