FaZe Banks has publicly criticized Haliey Welch and her team over the handling of his appearance on her Talk Tuah podcast. The streamer claims the episode was leaked without his permission, potentially influencing the value of Welch’s controversial $HAWK cryptocurrency. Banks’ latest comments have only reignited the $HAWK crypto controversy.
Here is what Banks said.
FaZe Banks calls out Haliey Welch for podcast controversy
FaZe Banks is calling out Haliey Welch and her team after an episode of her Talk Tuah podcast was supposedly “leaked” without his approval. The streamer had initially agreed to appear on the show but only under strict conditions. It would mark Welch’s first episode since her $HAWK crypto controversy. Now, he claims those agreements were ignored and the podcast’s release may have influenced the token’s value.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Banks revealed he had insisted on measures to prevent market manipulation and urged Welch’s team to address concerns about the funds tied to $HAWK. He wrote, “These incompetent r—–s leaked and/ or inside traded the token. We noticed a random spike in volume on the coin 2/2 along with random messages asking us if we did the podcast.”
Banks says the episode was supposed to remain unreleased unless he personally approved it. However, after noticing unusual trading activity on $HAWK, he suspected the episode had been leaked.
Banks slammed Welch’s team for their handling of the situation and wrote, “Now today, the episode ‘randomly’ gets leaked. The price of $HAWK is pumping and they completely fucking fumbled the bag, yet again. What a f—ing mess.” He even went as far as to advise her to fire everyone involved.
Welch’s $HAWK crypto project, launched in December 2024, has been widely criticized, with figures like YouTuber Coffeezilla calling it a scam. Investors later filed a lawsuit over alleged securities law violations. Welch previously stated she was taking the matter seriously and working with legal representatives to resolve the issue.
