- OpenClaw now blocks all crypto talk, shifting fully to AI agent development.
- Steinberger faced crypto scams and harassment during rebrand, prompting strict rules.
- Partnering with OpenAI, OpenClaw focuses on secure, permissionless AI tools, not finance.
AI startup OpenClaw has sparked controversy by banning crypto discussions in its community, drawing both criticism and attention. Users were surprised when mentions of Bitcoin led to automatic bans on the OpenClaw Discord.
Peter Steinberger, the founder, clarified on social media that the server enforces strict rules, including a total prohibition of crypto talk. He added that he would manually re-add any affected users if needed. The decision reflects a broader mission to prioritize permissionless AI agents over token launches, signaling a strategic pivot for the open-source project.
OpenClaw, formerly known as Clawdbot, gained attention for enabling local AI agents to operate directly on users’ devices. The platform’s popularity surged in late January, but its trajectory collided with the volatile crypto community.
Steinberger faced intense pressure to issue a project token, with some users creating assets and demanding recognition, fees, and involvement. Moreover, crypto scammers attempted to hack his GitHub account, and usernames were hijacked during the rebranding process. Steinberger described these events as, “the worst form of online harassment I’ve encountered.”
Transitioning from Crypto to AI
Besides facing crypto-related harassment, Steinberger emphasized his vision for AI agent infrastructure. He said, “I want to change the world, not build a big corporation, and collaborating with OpenAI is the fastest way to bring this to everyone.”
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised him as, “a genius with many amazing ideas about a future where smart agents interact to perform truly useful tasks.” Consequently, OpenClaw operates as an open project backed by OpenAI, focusing on innovation rather than financial speculation.
The shift away from crypto enables developers to concentrate on building secure, permissionless AI tools. Previously, Steinberger considered deleting Clawdbot due to harassment and overwhelming community demands.
In an interview with Lex Fridman, he admitted, “I didn’t know they were not only good at harassment but also very skilled at using scripts and tools.” Despite these challenges, the project continues to grow with a clear mission.
