World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the crypto venture backed by President Donald Trump’s family, is facing renewed scrutiny over its connection to Worldclaw, a Hong Kong-based artificial intelligence marketplace that offers access to numerous Chinese AI models.
A review found that 43 of Worldclaw’s 90 listed AI models were developed by Chinese technology companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, DeepSeek, Z.ai and Moonshot. The issue has attracted additional attention because Alibaba and Baidu have been designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as Chinese military-linked companies.
Worldclaw Offers Access to Chinese AI Models
Worldclaw operates as an AI marketplace, allowing users to select from models developed by companies in both the United States and China.
Its catalog includes models from U.S. companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic alongside offerings from major Chinese developers. The platform generally presents the models as competing AI products without distinguishing them based on their country of origin.
Worldclaw and WLFI have argued that making an AI model available through the platform does not amount to endorsing its developer or its relationship with the Chinese government.
The Pentagon designations also do not automatically prohibit commercial access to products developed by the companies involved. However, their presence on the U.S. military’s list has increased scrutiny of American businesses that maintain commercial relationships with them.
Trump Family Has Financial Connection to WLFI
The issue has drawn greater attention because of the financial relationship between Worldclaw and WLFI.
Worldclaw accepts WLFI’s USD1 stablecoin for payments, potentially generating additional activity for the stablecoin ecosystem. The Trump family reportedly owns a 38% stake in World Liberty Financial, meaning the family has a financial interest in the venture behind USD1.
WLFI has previously faced questions surrounding its financial relationships and the rapid expansion of its stablecoin business.
The connection between WLFI and Worldclaw also extends beyond their financial relationship. Ryan Fang, WLFI’s head of growth, serves as an adviser to Worldclaw, while Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, both WLFI co-founders, have publicly promoted the AI platform.
Potential Conflict With US China Policy
The growing scrutiny comes as the Trump administration seeks to limit the influence of Chinese AI technology within U.S. markets and critical technology infrastructure.
Critics argue that the relationship between a Trump family-backed crypto company and an AI marketplace offering models from companies flagged by the Pentagon raises potential conflict-of-interest and policy questions.
For WLFI, the issue extends its exposure beyond cryptocurrency and stablecoins into the rapidly expanding AI sector.
It remains unclear whether the arrangement will lead to formal action from Congress, the Pentagon or other parts of the administration. For now, the controversy highlights the increasingly complex intersection of crypto, artificial intelligence, Chinese technology and the financial interests of the Trump family.
