Joe Rogan, the popular UFC commentator, recently took aim at the controversial $HAWK meme coin project during his podcast, bringing attention to the turmoil surrounding its creator, Hailey Welch. The project, launched by the 22-year-old internet personality, quickly descended from hype to heavy losses, sparking numerous investor lawsuits.
Welch rose to fame after gaining viral success from her social media presence, and her entry onto the cryptocurrency stage with $HAWK was met with both excitement and skepticism. Yet, as the value of $HAWK plummeted almost immediately, many investors found themselves significantly out of pocket, leading critics to denounce the project as nothing more than a "pump and dump" scheme.
On his podcast, titled "The Joe Rogan Experience," Rogan expressed concern for Welch, stating, "It was probably some people she got invested in, and she probably doesn't understand all of it. She's only 22 or something like, right?" He speculated about the motivations of her partners, implying they were likely to blame for the project's collapse. Rogan elaborated, “They pumped and dumped on her and then she was left holding the bill because nobody knows who they are.”
Despite his sympathy for Welch, Rogan showed little compassion for investors who put their money behind $HAWK. One particularly poignant comment referenced the staggering amounts some chose to gamble on the coin: “Like, one guy invested a million dollars. Like, can you even believe it? Like: 'The Hawk Tuah girl? Yeah, that's a sound investment. That seems like a good place to put my nest egg.'"
Rogan went on to question the intelligence of those who lost money, wondering aloud how many clueless individuals could invest so heavily without doing their due diligence. He mused, “Isn’t it weird there’s only 12 people and they’ve lost $151,000... How many stone-cold r------- are roaming the world?” It's clear Rogan felt there were lessons to be learned from the rapid escalation and equally rapid decline of $HAWK.
Interestingly, during the podcast, Rogan didn't just distance himself from the chaos of the $HAWK scam; he also turned the conversation toward potential solutions for reviving the currency. He suggested developing another meme coin called History Hyenas, where the only way to purchase it would be with $HAWK. Rogan argued, “That way everybody’s a winner. And all of a sudden, the coin makes a comeback; both of you grow. The rising tide lifts all boats.”
Even as the dust settled on the lavish promises of the $HAWK coin, Welch finally broke her silence via social media just before Christmas. She stated, "I am fully cooperating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted, as well as to help expose the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and resolve this matter." Her commitment to transparency and accountability showcases her willingness to take responsibility, whether or not she is the one directly at fault.
The controversy not only reveals the volatility of meme coins but also highlights the potential consequences of investing heavily without proper research or prudence. Hard lessons are learned as more and more individuals explore the burgeoning world of cryptocurrencies, often with little knowledge of what may come.
While the saga of $HAWK continues to unravel, it serves as both a cautionary tale and a significant moment in the meme coin phenomenon, raising pressing questions about who exactly is to blame when such ventures go sideways.