Trump-Backed Crypto Firm Ties Up with Platform Offering Chinese AI Models

A crypto company backed by U.S. President Donald Trump's family is working with a Hong Kong-based venture that offers access to artificial intelligence models from Chinese technology companies flagged by his administration over national security concerns.

WorldClaw, founded earlier this year, provides 90 AI models and accepts tokens from Trump-backed World Liberty Financial as payment. A Reuters review found 43 of those models were developed by Alibaba, Baidu, Z.ai, and other Chinese companies the Trump administration says pose national security and intellectual property risks.

Seven experts on Chinese technology, trade, and government ethics told Reuters the collaboration and potential profits for Trump through World Liberty run counter to his administration's stance toward Chinese technology companies. 'As the U.S. government tries to respond to the rise and threat of Chinese AI, it seems hypocritical to go out through WorldClaw to use these tools from China to try and make a bunch of money,' said Sam Bresnick, a fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

The Trump family owns 38% of World Liberty and earns money through the sale or use of its crypto tokens. WorldLiberty's head of growth, Ryan Fang, has also been a 'helpful external adviser and supporter of WorldClaw,' particularly on USD1 adoption, partnerships, and expanding access to AI services.