Openclaw, a rapidly growing open source artificial intelligence agent framework, has sparked debate across the tech community after enforcing a strict ban on any mention of cryptocurrencies within its official Discord server. The policy includes even neutral or technical references to Bitcoin and other digital assets, following a token scam incident that disrupted the project earlier this year.
The rule came under public scrutiny when a user reported being removed from the Discord channel for referencing Bitcoin in a purely technical context. According to the user, Bitcoin’s block height had been cited as a timing mechanism within a multi agent benchmark known as CLASHD27. Project founder Peter Steinberger responded by reiterating the server’s zero tolerance policy, stating that no crypto mention whatsoever is permitted under the community guidelines accepted upon entry.
The decision traces back to a chaotic episode during Openclaw’s rebranding phase when a fake token named CLAWD appeared on the market. The token briefly surged to a reported 16 million dollar market capitalization before collapsing more than 90 percent after Steinberger publicly denied any connection. The incident was followed by waves of spam messages and reported harassment directed at the founder, prompting tighter moderation measures.
Steinberger later clarified that his position is not rooted in opposition to blockchain technology itself. He acknowledged that the underlying technology has merit, but criticized aspects of crypto culture that he described as disruptive and harmful to the project’s focus. The Discord ban, he said, was intended to maintain a constructive environment centered strictly on artificial intelligence development.
The move has divided opinion within both AI and crypto circles. Critics argue that a blanket prohibition may restrict legitimate technical discussion, especially in cases where blockchain concepts are referenced academically or infrastructurally. Supporters contend that the measure protects Openclaw from speculative distractions and shields its community from token driven hype and scams.
Openclaw’s growth trajectory adds context to the controversy. Launched in January 2026, the self hosted AI agent framework has surpassed 200,000 GitHub stars in a short period. The project allows autonomous agents to operate across messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord, executing tasks locally on user hardware. It has since transitioned to an open source foundation structure, while Steinberger joined OpenAI to focus on personal AI agents.
The strict moderation policy remains in place, with crypto discussions explicitly excluded from official channels. While reinstatements may occur on a case by case basis, the broader signal is clear. Openclaw aims to separate its artificial intelligence roadmap from cryptocurrency discourse, even as the two sectors increasingly intersect across the wider technology landscape.
