Trump-Linked Crypto Firm Accused of Fueling Chinese AI Growth
A cryptocurrency company benefiting directly from US President Donald Trump is facing allegations that it is helping expand Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) technology—despite Trump's own policy stance against the spread of such technology.
The Trump-backed crypto company World Liberty Financial is working in partnership with Hong Kong-based platform WorldXL, which provides users with access to AI models developed by several Chinese companies that the US government has identified as potential national-security risks.
The information emerged from an investigation by international news agency Reuters.
Chinese AI Models and Financial Gains for the Trump Family
Established this year, the WorldXL platform provides customers with access to a total of 90 AI models. According to the Reuters investigation, 43 of those models were developed by Chinese technology companies such as Alibaba, Baidu and Z.AI.
The US Departments of Defense and Commerce have identified some of these companies as having links to the Chinese military or involvement in the theft of US technology.
Yet the platform accepts USD1, the cryptocurrency issued by Trump's company World Liberty Financial, as a means of paying for access to its AI services. Since the Trump family owns a 38% stake in World Liberty, a portion of the profits generated from each transaction ultimately goes into the Trump family's financial interests.
President Trump's two sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, have also promoted the joint service on social media.
Legal Status and Policy Contradiction
There is currently no direct legal restriction preventing ordinary US users from accessing these Chinese AI models. However, technology and political analysts argue that the arrangement raises serious questions about conflicting interests.
The Trump administration has taken a tough stance on limiting the spread of Chinese technology. Against that backdrop, they argue, generating revenue through Chinese technology via a company owned by Trump's family amounts to a policy contradiction and raises ethical concerns.
However, both the White House and World Liberty have denied allegations of a conflict of interest.
Their representatives argue that such technology transactions are a normal part of the global market and that the arrangement does not violate US policy.
//DBTech/BMT/OR//
