The scandal surrounding the HAWK meme coin has taken a new turn as Overhere, the entity claiming to have built the token's airdrop technology, publicly blamed internet personality Haliey Welch (aka 'Hawk Tuah Girl') and her team for the project's dramatic implosion. In a lengthy thread on X, Overhere sought to absolve itself of any wrongdoing, asserting that it worked on the project for free without a contract or financial compensation. However, the move was met with widespread skepticism and mockery from the crypto community.
Background: From Hype to Crash
Launched on Solana in early December, the HAWK token initially generated massive excitement thanks to Welch's viral fame. But within hours of its debut, the token's price collapsed by more than 90%, leaving many investors with heavy losses. Accusations of a classic 'rug pull' quickly surfaced, with critics alleging that insiders had drained liquidity after luring in unsuspecting buyers. According to data from Crypto.com, HAWK is currently trading at approximately $0.001219, down 9.38% over the past 24 hours and far below its peak of $0.003703 on December 5.
Overhere's Accusations and Defenses
In the thread, Overhere described its involvement as a naive attempt to bridge Web2 fans into Web3 seamlessly and for free. The company stated, 'We pushed harder and harder, perhaps through rose-tinted glasses and naivety about others' intentions, even as the project began to unravel.' Overhere specifically targeted Welch and Alexander Larson Shultz, also known as 'Doc Hollywood' – the son-in-law of comedian Howie Mandel and a key member of the HAWK team. Overhere demanded that Welch's team 'step up,' Shultz 'step down,' and called for a full treasury audit.
Despite these claims, the company offered no concrete evidence to support its narrative. It also claimed that the underlying technology 'still works' and invited 'real fans' to claim their tokens.
Community Backlash: 'Worst Thread Ever'
The crypto community quickly dismissed Overhere's thread as a transparent attempt to shift blame. One respondent asked, 'Are you trying to spin the facts because you know you launched a scam?' Another called it 'the worst thread I've ever read possibly in my entire life.' A third sarcastically rewrote Overhere's mission statement: 'Our goal was simple – bring web2 grifters into web3 to rug it seamlessly.'
Industry observers note that while Overhere may have played a technical role in the launch, efforts to distance itself from the disastrous outcome ring hollow. The incident underscores the risks inherent in meme coin investments, where celebrity endorsements and viral hype often mask fundamental lack of transparency and accountability.
What's Next?
As of now, neither Haliey Welch nor Alexander Larson Shultz have publicly responded to Overhere's allegations. The future of the HAWK token remains uncertain, with holders anxiously awaiting further developments. This scandal serves as another cautionary tale in the volatile world of meme coins, highlighting the importance of due diligence and the potential for deep-seated conflicts of interest behind the scenes.