[Breaking News] FBI Investigation Fallout: Meme Coin Promoter Influencer 'Haily' Faces Plummeting Popularity

# Internet Influencer Hailey Welch Addresses Meme Coin HAWK Controversy Hailey Welch, a well-known internet influencer from Tennessee and the creator of the popular YouTube channel *'Talk Tuah with Hailey,'* recently broke her silence regarding the controversial meme coin HAWK. According to CryptoTimes on October 21, this is Welch's first in-depth discussion on the issue. The meme coin, launched in late 2024 by Welch and her business partners, initially reached a market capitalization of $490 million before plummeting by over 90% to an estimated $60 million. In her latest video, Welch detailed the controversy and explained her previous silence, citing ongoing investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Welch clarified that she was initially part of these investigations but was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing and excluded from legal actions. # Early Involvement and Promotion of HAWK Welch revealed her entry into the project began when her management team presented the cryptocurrency proposal. After multiple discussions and overcoming initial skepticism, she decided to join, convinced it was a legitimate opportunity. Welch stated she was promised marketing fees and assured that a portion of the project's revenue would support charitable causes she endorsed. Welch stressed her limited understanding of cryptocurrency and her minimal direct involvement in the project's operational aspects. She mentioned that the individual overseeing the coin remains legally unknown. Her role primarily involved reading scripts and promotional material provided by the project team for her marketing videos. Furthermore, Welch pointed out that the project's managers had complete control over her Twitter account. # Life Post-HAWK Collapse Welch recalled a particularly stressful moment during a live broadcast on Twitter Spaces, where *Coffeezilla,* a renowned cryptocurrency investigator, unexpectedly joined and asked probing questions. She admitted to being unprepared for the confrontation, reiterating her limited knowledge and involvement. Welch emphasized that she did not benefit financially from the coin’s initial success. She disclosed that all payments received were allocated to cover legal expenses and crisis management public relations efforts. Expressing deep regret for her followers' financial losses, Welch conveyed a sense of betrayal and manipulation by those behind the project. The fallout from the coin’s collapse has profoundly affected Welch’s life, including experiencing public harassment at airports, receiving online death threats, and even an FBI visit to her grandmother’s home. Though overwhelmed by the stress, Welch stated she has cooperated fully with investigators and has nothing to hide.