**She’s Back! Viral Sensation Haliey Welch Breaks Her Silence Following $HAWK Crypto Scandal**
Haliey Welch, the viral star behind the iconic “Hawk Tuah” phrase, has made a comeback after being silent for several weeks. Her return comes just a day after Mashable released a report regarding her enigmatic absence following the downfall of her cryptocurrency, $HAWK.
In a message shared with Mashable and posted on her X account on Friday, Welch emphasized her dedication to supporting fans who experienced financial setbacks due to the unsuccessful $HAWK memecoin. She encouraged those affected to reach out to the law firm that is representing investors in a lawsuit against the cryptocurrency’s creators.
### The Vanishing of Haliey Welch
Welch had been out of sight since an X Spaces audio session on Dec. 4, where she and the $HAWK team tried to clarify the coin’s unexpected failure just hours post-launch. During the stream, Welch abruptly concluded her participation, stating, “Anywho, I’m gonna go to bed and I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Nonetheless, she did not appear the following day, leaving fans and investors in uncertainty for over two weeks. Her well-known podcast, *Talk Tuah*, also ceased updates, with no new episodes released since Dec. 3, the day prior to the cryptocurrency launch.
### Welch Responds to the $HAWK Scandal
In her initial public address since the incident, Welch distanced herself from the operational aspects of the $HAWK initiative, asserting that her role was primarily to lend her brand and star power for promotion.
“I take this situation very seriously and wish to speak to my fans, the investors impacted, and the wider community,” Welch articulated in her statement. “I am fully cooperating with and dedicated to aiding the legal team that represents those affected, as well as to uncover the truth, hold accountable those responsible, and resolve this situation. If you have faced losses linked to this, please reach out to Burwick Law using the link provided: [https://www.burwick.law/newclient](https://www.burwick.law/newclient).”
### The Ascent and Decline of $HAWK
Welch introduced $HAWK on Dec. 4, branding the memecoin with her popular slogan. However, akin to many celebrity-endorsed cryptocurrency initiatives, $HAWK soon collapsed in what seems to be a typical “rug pull.” This phrase describes a situation where insiders, typically holding most tokens from a pre-sale, liquidate their holdings shortly following the coin’s public debut, leading to a drastic drop in its value.
In the instance of $HAWK, the market capitalization reportedly fell by millions within hours, resulting in several investors—many of whom were Welch’s fans—reporting losses in the thousands.
### Who’s Accountable?
The aftermath has ignited blame-shifting among those associated with the project. A cryptocurrency company linked to $HAWK, OverHere, issued a statement attributing the coin’s failure to music producer and cryptocurrency promoter Alex Larson Schultz, also known as Doc Hollywood. OverHere asserted that Schultz “controlled all token decisions, fees, treasury,” and other vital components of the venture.
Sources familiar with Welch contend that she was solely a paid promoter with no involvement in the creation or oversight of $HAWK. They claim she was taken advantage of by the project’s organizers looking to benefit from her viral appeal.
### What Lies Ahead for Haliey Welch?
Notwithstanding the controversy, Welch seems eager to progress. Fans of her *Talk Tuah* podcast can feel relieved, as Welch intends to resume the show once she clarifies her participation in the $HAWK affair.
For the moment, Welch’s priority is to aid those affected by the crypto downturn and ensure that accountability is established for the parties involved. Whether she can restore her reputation remains uncertain, but one thing is evident: Haliey Welch is prepared to confront the challenges and rebuild trust with her supporters.