The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially closed its investigation into the controversial Hawk Tuah Girl meme coin ($HAWK), clearing viral internet personality Haliey Welch of any wrongdoing.
Welch, who became an overnight sensation after a street interview clip went viral in 2024, confirmed to TMZ that the SEC has concluded its inquiry without issuing any findings or penalties.
“For the past few months, I’ve been cooperating with all the authorities and attorneys, and finally, that work is complete,” Welch said in a statement.
No Charges, No Restrictions
Welch’s attorney, James Sallah, added clarity on 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.”
This decision effectively frees Welch from any regulatory burden tied to the $HAWK meme coin, which had exploded to nearly $500 million in market cap before collapsing to around $3 million, leaving many retail investors with steep losses.
Distancing From the Project
Following the coin’s implosion and subsequent public backlash, Welch distanced herself from the LLC behind the token. Sources close to her say she will not promote or support the project moving forward.
The creators of the $HAWK token, however, are reportedly still facing legal scrutiny, including a lawsuit alleging negligence for launching a crypto token without proper compliance or oversight.
From Meme to Media
Despite the turbulence, Welch’s popularity continues to grow. Alongside her “Talk Tuah” podcast, reports indicate that a Hawk Tuah documentary is in the works—further capitalizing on her viral fame.
Her recent return to social media signals a fresh chapter.
“Happy to be starting back up again,” she told TMZ.
Broader Regulatory Shift
The SEC’s decision to drop the case is part of a wider trend under the current Trump administration, which has been perceived as more crypto-friendly following the resignation of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler.
Several other crypto investigations have recently been dismissed or settled, including those involving Crypto.com, Ripple, Coinbase, and Immutable.
According to Politico, crypto firms like Coinbase, Ripple, Kraken, and Circle have donated seven figures to Trump’s campaign since November 2024—suggesting a closer alignment between the industry and Washington policymakers.
Final Thoughts
While the $HAWK token saga raised questions about influencer accountability in crypto, Haliey Welch has walked away from the controversy without regulatory penalties. As crypto’s culture continues to intersect with internet virality, the Hawk Tuah case stands as a reminder of both the risks and the reach of meme coin mania.
