Hawk Tuah vs Sydney Sweeney in Crypto: A Sensational Controversy

Haliey Welch and Sydney Sweeney are real people whose names have been dragged into the crypto movement.

Both have been involved in crypto-related controversies: Haliey Welch or Hailey Welch and her meme coin, Hawk Tuah, while Sydney Sweeney’s image and name have been used in crypto and crypto-and-NFTs.

In this Hawk Tuah vs. Sydney Sweeney crypto article, we’ll review the sensational controversy between the two.

Hawk Tuah ($HAWK) Crypto Scandal: Haliey Welch Behind it

In the final months of 2024, the internet witnessed an unexpected fusion of viral culture and cryptocurrency through the birth of the Hawk Tuah Girl Meme Coin, officially known as $HAWK.

This meme coin was not just a token, it was the digital embodiment of a moment that had captured millions: Haliey Welch’s now-iconic “hawk tuah” line.

Haliey Welch shot to viral stardom in June 2024 after a street interview in Nashville. When asked what women do to please men, she let out a charismatic, outrageous phrase, “You gotta give 'em that hawk tuah”, mimicking the act of spitting. 

The clip exploded across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, instantly turning Welch into a cultural sensation known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl.”

Seeing an opportunity to monetize her viral fame, Welch dove into various ventures: merchandise, a podcast called Talk Tuah, and even a dating app. But it was her move into crypto that would spark the most controversy.

The $HAWK Coin: From Meme Magic to Market Meltdown

In December 2024, Welch launched the $HAWK meme coin on the Solana blockchain. Marketed with the same irreverent humor that made her famous, the coin rode a wave of influencer hype and internet buzz. 

Within hours, its market capitalization soared toward $500 million, making it one of the most talked-about meme coins of the season.

However, the surge didn’t last. In just a day, $HAWK’s value collapsed by over 90%, triggering outrage from investors and observers. 

Accusations of a “pump-and-dump” scheme flooded social media. Crypto investigator Coffeezilla publicly criticized the project, alleging insider manipulation and suggesting that Welch’s team had orchestrated a cash grab.

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Welch denied any malicious intent, claiming that fast-acting “snipers” had manipulated the token’s launch. 

She stated that the project was meant to be fun, not a serious financial investment. Still, the damage had been done, and many investors suffered major losses.

Legal Aftermath and Reinvention

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched an investigation into $HAWK following the crash. 

By March 2025, the SEC closed the case without filing charges. Welch was cleared of any legal responsibility, and her attorney confirmed she faced no restrictions in the cryptocurrency space.

In the wake of the controversy, Welch took a brief hiatus from the spotlight. She later relaunched her podcast, Talk Tuah, independently through her own company, 16 Minutes. 

She also landed a cameo in the upcoming Hulu series Chad Powers and announced an upcoming documentary about her whirlwind journey from internet fame to crypto scandal.

Sydney Sweeney Crypto-NFT: Hack and Scam

In 2024, Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney became the unwitting face of a crypto scandal she had absolutely nothing to do with. 

Known for her breakout roles in Euphoria and Anyone But You, Sweeney’s name was suddenly trending in the crypto world, not for an endorsement or investment, but because hackers hijacked her online identity to promote a scam.

It all began in July 2024, when Sweeney’s verified X account (formerly Twitter) began posting about a new meme coin called $SWEENEY, suggesting it was launched by the actress herself.

The posts had all the hallmarks of official promotion, posted directly from her account, with convincing graphics and calls to action that encouraged her millions of followers to “get in early.”

Within just two hours, the token saw more than $10 million in trading volume, driven by fans and opportunists who believed they were riding the wave of Sydney Sweeney’s brand.

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But the excitement was short-lived. As quickly as it surged, the coin crashed by nearly 90%, leaving many investors in the dust.

It became clear this was not a celebrity-backed crypto launch, it was a textbook pump-and-dump scheme. The perpetrators had created hype, sold off their holdings at the peak, and disappeared, leaving retail buyers with worthless tokens.

SIM-Swap Attack and the Mastermind Behind the Hack

Digging deeper into the breach, cybersecurity investigators revealed that the attack was more than a simple password hack. 

The criminals had also taken control of Sweeney’s phone number using a technique known as SIM swapping. This allowed them to intercept her security codes and take full control of her X account, making the scam appear even more authentic.

Prominent blockchain investigator ZachXBT traced the attack to a known cybercriminal, Gurvinder Bhangu, a UK-based hacker with a long track record of celebrity-targeted fraud.

Bhangu had previously been linked to other high-profile incidents, including hacks of Bob Odenkirk, Hulk Hogan, and 50 Cent, all using the same deceptive method: hijack, promote, and vanish with profits.

Sydney Had No Involvement -  A Cautionary Tale for Crypto Culture

Despite the damage, Sydney Sweeney was never involved in the cryptocurrency or the scam. Her team moved swiftly to recover access to her social media accounts and publicly disavowed the fake $SWEENEY token. The posts were entirely unauthorized, and Sweeney herself had no connection to crypto or NFTs.

This incident reflects a larger issue in digital finance today: the ease with which celebrity personas can be weaponized by fraudsters. 

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In a fast-moving, largely unregulated space like meme coins, fame can be turned into false legitimacy in minutes. Fans and crypto newcomers are often drawn into hype without knowing the true origins of the projects they’re supporting.

For Sweeney, the hack was a digital nightmare. For the public, it was a wake-up call, a reminder to be cautious, verify sources, and not let celebrity influence override common sense in the crypto space.

Hawk Tuah vs Sydney Sweeney in Crypto

The cases of Haliey Welch (“Hawk Tuah Girl”) and Sydney Sweeney reveal two dramatically different but equally sensational encounters between celebrity culture and cryptocurrency.

Haliey Welch intentionally entered the crypto world by launching the $HAWK meme coin, capitalizing on her viral fame, but later faced backlash after the coin’s value collapsed. 

Though cleared of legal wrongdoing, the fallout raised questions about responsibility, ethics, and transparency in celebrity-backed crypto projects.

In stark contrast, Sydney Sweeney was dragged into the crypto scene unwillingly, her identity hijacked through hacking and SIM-swapping to promote a fraudulent $SWEENEY token. 

She had no involvement in the scam, yet her fans and name were exploited in a scheme that highlights the vulnerability of public figures in the digital age.

Together, their stories serve as a powerful cautionary tale. Whether willingly or unknowingly involved, celebrities can become central to crypto controversies, sometimes by choice, other times by force. 

The lesson is clear: in a space filled with hype, volatility, and viral influence, caution, verification, and critical thinking are essential for investors, fans, and the celebrities themselves.

FAQ

1. Was Haliey Welch (Hawk Tuah Girl) involved in launching a crypto token?

Yes. Haliey Welch launched the $HAWK meme coin on the Solana blockchain in December 2024, capitalizing on her viral fame. However, the token's value collapsed rapidly, sparking accusations of a pump-and-dump scheme, though she denied any malicious intent.

2. Did Sydney Sweeney endorse or launch the $SWEENEY token?

No. Sydney Sweeney’s X (Twitter) account was hacked in July 2024, and hackers used her identity to promote the fake $SWEENEY token. She had no involvement or knowledge of the crypto promotion and publicly denied any connection.

3. What happened to the $HAWK coin after its launch?

The $HAWK coin initially surged, reaching a market cap near $500 million, but quickly plummeted by over 90% within 24 hours. Although Welch avoided legal repercussions, many investors suffered heavy losses.

4. Who was behind the Sydney Sweeney crypto scam?

The attack was linked to Gurvinder Bhangu, a UK-based hacker known for SIM-swapping and high-profile celebrity account breaches. He was also connected to similar scams involving other public figures.

5. What lessons can investors learn from these incidents?

Both cases highlight the risks of celebrity-linked crypto projects, whether real or fake. Investors should always verify information through official channels, be skeptical of sudden hype, and understand that celebrity influence doesn’t equal legitimacy in the crypto space.