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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Dan Milmo Global technology editor

‘It’s a pure form of gambling’: memecoins boom after Trump election

Hailey Welch
Haliey Welch’s Hawk memecoin was worth $490m hours after launch but now has market capitalisation of $17m. Photograph: Still image of Tim & Dee TV YouTube video

It is a parable for the attention economy. A celebrity created entirely by social media, “hawk tuah girl” Haliey Welch, helps launch a crypto asset that stokes a viral frenzy and then flames out.

The Hawk memecoin was worth $490m (£385m) hours after it launched on 4 December but now has a market capitalisation – the value of all Hawk coins in circulation – of $17m.

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