Key Takeaways
- WorldClaw offers 43 AI models developed by Chinese companies that have faced scrutiny from the US military, national security agencies, or intellectual property authorities.
- The platform accepts World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin and allows users to lock WLFI tokens for AI packages.
- The relationship is legal, but it raises questions as the Trump administration simultaneously pushes to reduce US reliance on Chinese AI technology.
President Donald Trump-backed World Liberty Financial has developed commercial ties with an AI platform offering dozens of models from Chinese companies targeted by the US government over national security and technology concerns.
A Reuters review found that 43 of the 90 AI models available through Hong Kong-based WorldClaw were developed by Chinese companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, and Z.ai. WorldClaw also offered models from DeepSeek and Moonshot, as well as from US providers such as OpenAI and Anthropic.
The relationship puts World Liberty in an unusual position as Washington increases scrutiny of China’s rapidly expanding AI sector.
How World Liberty Makes Money From WorldClaw
WorldClaw provides users with access to multiple AI models via its WorldRouter service. Its website currently advertises access to more than 300 models, including offerings from Alibaba, Z.ai, and Moonshot AI.
The crypto connection comes through USD1 and WLFI.
WorldClaw lets customers pay for some token packages using World Liberty’s USD1 stablecoin, while larger packages can be unlocked by locking WLFI tokens.
The platform states that it is independently operated and is not managed or controlled by World Liberty.
Trump Family Role in World Liberty
Reuters reported that the Trump family owns 38% of World Liberty and can earn money from the sale and use of its crypto products.
World Liberty also earns from USD1, whose reserves include interest-bearing assets such as US Treasurys.
The ties go beyond payments. World Liberty Head of Growth Ryan Fang has served as an external adviser to WorldClaw, particularly around USD1 adoption and partnerships.
Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have also publicly promoted WorldClaw.
Chinese AI Firms Face US Scrutiny
Several companies behind WorldClaw’s Chinese models have faced action from the Trump administration agencies.
The Pentagon has designated Alibaba and Baidu as Chinese military-aligned companies, restricting the Defense Department from doing business with them. Z.ai, formerly Zhipu AI, is on the Commerce Department’s Entity List over allegations that its technology supports China’s military modernization.
US officials have separately accused companies, including DeepSeek and Moonshot, of improperly extracting intellectual property from American AI systems.
China and the companies involved have disputed various US allegations.
None of this makes WorldClaw’s offering illegal. Reuters noted that Chinese AI models remain generally legal for American individuals and businesses to use.
World Liberty said offering models from both Chinese and American developers is common across the industry. WorldClaw similarly said making a model available does not amount to endorsing its developer.
Still, the arrangement creates a sharp contrast: the Trump administration is warning about Chinese AI risks, while a Trump family-backed crypto business can benefit financially when users access some of those same companies’ models through WorldClaw.
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Giuseppe Ciccomascolo began his career as an investigative journalist in Italy, where he contributed to both local and national newspapers, focusing on various financial sectors.
Upon relocating to London, he worked as an analyst for Fitch's CapitalStructure and later as a Senior Reporter for Alliance News. In 2017, Giuseppe transitioned to covering cryptocurrency-related news, producing documentaries and articles on Bitcoin and other emerging digital currencies. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the academy for a cryptocurrency exchange website. Crypto remained his primary area of interest throughout his tenure as a writer for ThirdFloor.
