OpenClaw Bans Crypto Mentions After Scammers Target AI Project
By John Nada·Feb 22, 2026·6 min read
OpenClaw's Discord now bans crypto mentions after scammers nearly derailed the AI project. This highlights the risks posed by speculative token culture to legitimate innovations.
The OpenClaw Discord community now enforces a strict no-crypto policy following a severe incident where scammers exploited the platform. Users mentioning 'bitcoin' or any cryptocurrency face immediate bans, reflecting the project's effort to distance itself from the turbulent crypto landscape.
Peter Steinberger, the Austrian developer behind OpenClaw, enacted this rule after his accounts were hijacked by scammers who launched a fraudulent token that rapidly amassed a $16 million market cap. This episode not only jeopardized his project but also led to harassment from traders who mistakenly associated him with the scam, compelling him to clarify his stance against crypto involvement.
The crisis was exacerbated when Steinberger had to rebrand the project after receiving a trademark notice from Anthropic, which added to the chaos. With the rapid success of the fake token, the incident underscores the risks that speculative token culture poses to legitimate software initiatives. Steinberger has since moved on to lead OpenAI's personal agents division while OpenClaw transitions to an independent foundation, but the crypto ban remains a poignant reminder of the challenges faced in the intersection of AI and crypto.
Security concerns have also been highlighted, as independent audits revealed vulnerabilities within OpenClaw, with instances exposed online lacking proper authentication. This situation shows how the influx of crypto-related scams can threaten innovative tech projects, leading to significant reputational damage and operational setbacks.
Steinberger's experience illustrates a critical lesson for tech developers: the importance of safeguarding their projects from the unpredictable nature of the crypto market. As the line between legitimate innovation and speculative frenzy blurs, the OpenClaw case serves as a crucial warning about the potential for market disruptions to affect even the most promising technologies.
A user who recently mentioned bitcoin in passing — in the context of using block height as a clock for a multi-agent benchmark, not promoting a token — was blocked immediately. The rigid application of this no-crypto policy highlights the severity of the situation, as even innocuous references to cryptocurrency are now viewed with suspicion and met with swift punitive measures. Steinberger was clear about the ban in a follow-up reply to the X post, stating, "We have strict server rules that you accepted when you entered the server. No crypto mention whatsoever is one of them."
The trouble began in late January when Steinberger faced a trademark challenge from the AI powerhouse Anthropic, which sent him a notice over the project's original name, Clawdbot. Anthropic argued that the name was too close to their own product called "Claude," prompting Steinberger to agree to a rebranding. However, in the brief window between releasing his old GitHub and X handles and securing the new ones, scammers seized the opportunity to hijack both accounts. They began promoting a fake token named $CLAWD on the Solana blockchain, which experienced a meteoric rise in market capitalization, hitting $16 million within mere hours.
The fallout from this incident was swift and devastating. When Steinberger publicly denied any involvement with the fraudulent token, it crashed over 90%, wiping out most of the late investors who had been drawn in by the rapid rise. Early speculators, however, reaped substantial profits, leaving Steinberger to deal with the aftermath of harassment from disgruntled traders who mistakenly blamed him for the scam. In a desperate plea, he took to X, urging crypto enthusiasts to cease their relentless harassment, stating, "I will never do a coin. Any project that lists me as coin owner is a SCAM. You are actively damaging the project."
The incident starkly illustrates the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, where speculative frenzy can easily lead to catastrophic consequences for legitimate projects. Steinberger's experience serves as a cautionary tale for developers in the tech industry, demonstrating how quickly a project can be undermined by the actions of malicious actors.
Security researchers at blockchain firm SlowMist, along with independent auditors, uncovered significant vulnerabilities within OpenClaw, revealing that hundreds of instances were exposed to the public internet without proper authentication. This lack of security measures was partly due to the tool's localhost trust model breaking when run behind a reverse proxy, making it susceptible to exploitation. The findings brought to light the pressing need for robust security protocols within tech projects, especially those operating at the intersection of AI and blockchain technology.
Moreover, a separate investigation revealed that there were 386 malicious "skills" — add-on scripts for OpenClaw agents — published on the project's skill repository, with many specifically targeting crypto traders. This alarming discovery further underscores the risks associated with the intersection of AI and cryptocurrency, as bad actors continue to exploit vulnerabilities to target unsuspecting users.
Despite the turmoil, Steinberger has transitioned to a new role at OpenAI, where he now leads the personal agents division. Meanwhile, OpenClaw has successfully moved to an independent open-source foundation, and the project appears to be thriving despite the shadows cast by the earlier events. However, the crypto ban on Discord remains in place, serving as a lasting reminder of the tumultuous episode that nearly derailed the project.
In the broader context, the OpenClaw incident is emblematic of a growing trend in the tech industry, where legitimate projects are increasingly vulnerable to the whims of the speculative crypto market. As developers navigate the complexities of innovative technologies, the lessons learned from this episode can help inform future strategies for safeguarding projects against similar threats. The blurred lines between innovation and speculation necessitate a proactive approach to security and community management, ensuring that projects can thrive without falling prey to the chaos that often accompanies the cryptocurrency landscape.
As the OpenClaw project moves forward, the careful management of its community will be paramount. The blanket ban on cryptocurrency references may seem extreme to some, but it reflects a pragmatic response to the challenges posed by a market fraught with risks. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential fallout from the speculative frenzy that characterizes the crypto space, highlighting the need for vigilance and robust security measures in the face of rapidly evolving threats.
The OpenClaw case will likely serve as a reference point for other tech developers grappling with similar issues, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clear boundary between legitimate innovation and the speculative tendencies of the cryptocurrency market. As the industry continues to evolve, the experiences of projects like OpenClaw will shape the discourse around security, community management, and the ethical implications of operating in a space where scams and innovation often collide.