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China’s tech firms feast on OpenClaw as companies race to deploy AI agents

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang calls OpenClaw 'the most important software release probably ever'

A man wears a lobster hat that represent the OpenClaw logo, an open-source AI assistant at the Baidu headquarter in Beijing on March 11, 2026.

Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images

China is rapidly embracing the popular artificial intelligence tool OpenClaw, with major tech companies and even local governments rushing to expand access to the lobster-themed, open-source AI agent in recent weeks. 

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AI agents are digital assistants that can handle tasks such as sending emails, scheduling meetings and booking restaurant reservations with minimal human guidance. Unlike chatbots that simply respond to prompts, AI agents can take proactive actions, which often require broader access to data and systems and raise privacy and security concerns.

Chinese tech giant Tencent said Tuesday it had launched a full suite of easy-to-use AI products built on OpenClaw, which it dubbed “lobster special forces” and compatible with its popular superapp WeChat.

The same day, startup Zhipu AI launched its own local version of OpenClaw, offering an AI agent pre-installed with over 50 popular skills through “one-click installation.”

Similar moves by other Chinese companies have helped drive consumer interest, with usage of OpenClaw in China surpassing the U.S., according to American cybersecurity firm SecurityScorecard.

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“In terms of adopting the new technologies, I think China definitely has a really large community that always wants to try what’s there, what’s new, and don’t want to be left behind,” said Jaylen He, CEO of Violoop, a Shenzhen-based startup building a device that claims to have similar features to OpenClaw but with lower security risks.

“I have friends who are not even in the tech industry … they are doing this, they are also running it,” he said.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang calls OpenClaw 'the most important software release probably ever'

As China’s economy continues to face headwinds, OpenClaw offers an opportunity that domestic tech companies, eager to attract paying users, are rushing to capture.

The nationwide OpenClaw craze has boosted the popularity of Chinese-developed large language models, said Winston Ma, adjunct professor at NYU School of Law.

Autonomous AI agents like OpenClaw are typically model-agnostic, which means they can be integrated with various large language models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude.

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According to OpenRouter, a startup offering developers access to AI models through a single interface, the top three tools used by OpenClaw users on its marketplace in the past month were all Chinese companies, with combined usage double that of the three most-used Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude models.

Chinese-made AI models released this year have increasingly narrowed the gap with their U.S. rivals, while offering AI capabilities at a fraction of the price.

That significantly lowers the bill for users running OpenClaw. First launched in November, the tool allows users to send requests through popular messaging apps such as Telegram and WhatsApp, enabling the AI agent to perform multiple tasks autonomously. The Austrian developer behind the tool, Peter Steinberger, joined OpenAI in mid-February.

Easing installation hurdles

While OpenClaw has surged in popularity in the tech world, experts have previously pointed out limitations to the AI agent’s mass adoption, including a complex installation process that’s challenging for nontechnical users.

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Chinese technology companies are also trying to simplify installation for less technical users.

After an initial surge of interest last month, Chinese social media platforms have been flooded with posts about company-organized installation events. Some organizers have handed out red lobster plush toys, highlighting the project’s crustacean-themed branding.

Engineers (L) install and set OpenClaw, an open-source AI assistant for users at the Baidu headquarter in Beijing on March 11, 2026.

Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images

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TikTok owner ByteDance’s cloud unit Volcano Engine recently unveiled a version of OpenClaw called ‘ArkClaw,’ that can be used in a web browser, eliminating the need for complex local setup.

Meanwhile, some companies have even provided support to consumers in China who are looking to use OpenClaw with their tools. 

Tencent held a free in-person OpenClaw setup session last week in the Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen, where it is headquartered, to help “hundreds” of people install the tool on TencentCloud.

JD.com on Tuesday launched a dedicated page where users can pay 399 yuan ($58) to get remote help from Lenovo’s information technology maintenance team, Baiying, to deploy the software. Meituan reportedly announced a similar partnership with Lenovo on Monday.

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The growing interest in OpenClaw is changing how Chinese consumers pay for AI.

Engineers (front) install and set OpenClaw, an open-source AI assistant at the Baidu headquarter in Beijing on March 11, 2026.

Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images

Violoop, which plans to launch its first device on Kickstarter in April at roughly $300 per unit and $30 a month for AI services, originally intended to focus on the U.S. and other overseas markets, CEO He said.

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But now, the startup is focusing on a China launch instead.

“After 2026, after OpenClaw, I think we are seeing a significant rise, both in terms of [interest in] paying for good models and also that MiniMax and Kimi have released very capable models,” he said Wednesday. “I wouldn’t say that they can surpass maybe ChatGPT or Anthropic, but they are definitely approaching that and definitely are creating value for users. So this is a new change for us.”

The startup has already closed at least two rounds of initial funding this year, primarily to cover production costs.

Governments get involved

Despite official warnings published by China’s state media about OpenClaw’s security risks, several local governments have proposed incentives in the past week to encourage companies to develop applications using the AI tool.

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Shenzhen’s Longgang district and Hefei’s high-tech development zone proposed equity financing support of up to 10 million yuan ($1.46 million), along with other direct subsidies aimed at “one-person companies” using OpenClaw. A district of Suzhou city said it would offer similar subsidies, along with 30 days of free office space, accommodation and meals.

The term “one-person company,” referring to one or a few individuals using AI to quickly build a business, has become increasingly popular in China, especially as Beijing this week wrapped up a meeting to formalize a five-year plan to spur domestic tech development.

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Increased Chinese participation in the OpenClaw craze is just adding to a global phenomenon. In a sign of its popularity, the AI agent project has gained more stars on the GitHub coding platform than Linux, a transformative open-source operating system that underpins modern computing.

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“This is like the 2022 ChatGPT moment. This is like the 202[5] DeepSeek moment,” Violoop’s He said. “I think the craving, the desire, for a personal assistant that can really help the user, the desire has been there, and has been suppressed for a very long time.”

— CNBC’s Anniek Bao contributed to this report.

People queue to have their laptops install with OpenClaw, an open-source AI assistant at the Baidu headquarter in Beijing on March 11, 2026.

Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images

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Crypto World

Oracle (ORCL) Shares Jump Above $160

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Oracle (ORCL) Shares Jump Above $160

Following a strong earnings report, Oracle shares surged above $160, marking roughly a 1.5-month high:
→ Earnings per share: expected $1.70, actual $1.79;
→ Revenue: expected $16.7bn, actual $17.2bn.

This is the first quarter in 15 years in which both revenue and earnings rose by more than 20%. Additional optimism came from:
→ Cloud infrastructure revenue, which jumped 84% to $4.9bn;
→ Oracle confirming a five-year, $300bn deal with OpenAI (Project Stargate);
→ Total backlog (future revenue) surpassing $553bn.

These developments have the potential to significantly ease downward pressure on ORCL shares, which had been in a downtrend following a record high last autumn.

In our technical note of 5 February, the stock fell below $150, and we:
→ highlighted support levels that could halt further declines;
→ suggested that “smart money” might view prices below $150 as attractive.

That same day, ORCL shares formed a low from which they did not fall further.

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Recent price action, including a bullish gap above $160, indicates that buyers are regaining control. However, they may need to exert substantial effort to confirm their strength, given that:
→ the $170 level, formerly support, now acts as resistance (indicated by an arrow);
→ the descending channel (shown in red) remains relevant.

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Is a crypto market rally coming as Trump declares victory in the Iran war?

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Is a crypto market rally coming as Trump declares victory in the Iran war? - 1

The global financial markets saw a notable shift as President Donald Trump declared the U.S. has effectively “won” the conflict with Iran, signaling a potential end to the 10-day military engagement known as Operation Epic Fury.

Summary

  • The crypto market rebounded after President Donald Trump declared the U.S. had effectively “won” the conflict with Iran.
  • Bitcoin surged over 5% to reclaim the $70,000 level as investors rotated back into risk assets.
  • Analysts say a break above $72,500 could signal a broader crypto market rally if geopolitical tensions continue to cool.

The Geopolitical pivot: From “excursion” to victory

In a series of rapid-fire statements from Kentucky and Florida, President Trump characterized the war as a “short-term excursion” that achieved its primary objectives within the “first hour.” He claimed that roughly 80% of Iran’s missile launchers and much of its naval power have been neutralized.

For crypto markets, the rhetoric marks a critical transition.

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While the President noted that forces would remain to ensure stability, the shift from active escalation to a “victory” narrative has triggered a classic “risk-on” rally.

Investors, who had previously fled to safe havens like gold and the U.S. Dollar, are now rotating back into high-growth assets as the threat of a prolonged energy chokepoint in the Strait of Hormuz appears to recede.

Crypto market rebounds “Peace Trade”

The crypto market acted as a primary barometer for this shifting sentiment. After sliding into the mid-$60,000 range earlier in the week due to war-induced panic, Bitcoin (BTC) staged a powerful recovery, jumping over 5% to reclaim the $70,000 psychological barrier.

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Ethereum and major altcoins followed suit, with total crypto market capitalization rebounding to $2.45 trillion.

If the de-escalation holds, the “uncertainty overhang” that has suppressed prices since late February could vanish, potentially setting the stage for a run toward new all-time highs.

What the BTC chart says next

The BTC/USDT 1D chart highlights a significant technical tug-of-war. Despite the recent bounce, Bitcoin remains in a consolidation phase following its February peak.

Is a crypto market rally coming as Trump declares victory in the Iran war? - 1
Bitcoin price analysis | Source: Crypto.News

Immediate Resistance: The $72,500 level remains the “boss” of this range. A daily candle close above this mark, supported by high volume, would confirm a breakout.

Support Zones: The $67,500 to $68,000 zone has proven resilient. As long as BTC stays above this floor, the bullish structure remains intact.

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The BBP Indicator: A close look at the BBP indicator at the bottom of the chart shows that the histogram has already flipped into green territory. This is a significant bullish signal, indicating that the “Bulls” have successfully overpowered the “Bears” for the time being.

While Trump’s declaration has provided the spark, the sustainability of this rally depends on whether the “victory” translates into a formal ceasefire and stabilized oil prices. If geopolitical tensions continue to cool, the “Trump Peace Trade” could be the catalyst that finally pushes Bitcoin into the elusive six-figure territory.

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Why Market Volatility Often Precedes a Bitcoin Rally

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How Will Bitcoin's Price React?


Analysis found that Bitcoin fell about 56% during midterm years on average, while moving closely with declines in US equities.

US midterm election cycles have historically been associated with increased volatility across financial markets, with the S&P 500 experiencing average peak-to-trough drawdowns of about 16%, according to a new report published by Binance Research.

It stated that midterm years have typically produced the weakest performance within the four-year US presidential cycle, as political uncertainty surrounding elections weighs on investor sentiment. In seven of the past ten midterm cycles, equity markets recorded corrections of more than 10% as political risk continued to influence market behavior.

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Political Uncertainty Shakes Markets

Digital assets have shown a similar pattern during these periods. According to the analysis, Bitcoin has historically moved in close correlation with equities during midterm cycles. Since 2014, which the report considers the first meaningful cycle due to earlier liquidity limitations in crypto markets, BTC has recorded an average decline of about 56% during midterm election years across the three completed cycles.

Despite this historical weakness during such years, the research revealed that there is a consistent pattern of strong market performance once political uncertainty clears. Data cited in the report show that the 12 months following US midterm elections have produced positive returns for the S&P 500 in every instance since 1939. Over that period, the index has delivered an average gain of about 19% in the year following the vote.

Bitcoin has also recorded gains in all three post-midterm years on record, and the cryptocurrency delivered an average return of roughly 54% during those periods. The findings reveal that markets often recover once election outcomes become clear and investors gain greater visibility into the political and policy landscape.

The report frames the pattern as a recurring cycle in which election-year volatility is followed by a period of stronger performance for risk assets as uncertainty fades and capital returns to the market.

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The analysis comes at a time when global markets are already facing major volatility driven by geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic concerns. Escalating developments in the Middle East, including disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, have raised fears of supply shocks in global energy markets and contributed to sharp swings in oil prices.

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At the same time, all eyes are on the upcoming US inflation indicators, including Consumer Price Index and Personal Consumption Expenditures data, which could influence expectations around future monetary policy decisions.

Binance Research said that the current market conditions are also shaped by elevated leverage among investors and negative gamma positioning among market makers in both equity and cryptocurrency markets. These factors can amplify price movements when markets react to geopolitical or macroeconomic developments.

While the near-term risks remain, periods of heightened political and macro uncertainty have often been followed by stronger performance once major sources of uncertainty are resolved.

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Legal Dispute Emerges Over 61,000 Bitcoin Seized by UK Police

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Legal Dispute Emerges Over 61,000 Bitcoin Seized by UK Police

Victims of a Chinese investment fraud are challenging a United Kingdom proposal to compensate them through a Chinese redress scheme, arguing the plan could leave British authorities holding much of the upside from roughly 61,000 Bitcoin seized in a money-laundering investigation.

According to the Financial Times, citing court documents, the dispute has moved into the UK High Court as groups representing victims seek to recover funds linked to the cryptocurrency seized by police in London. The Bitcoin (BTC) haul is now worth about 3.2 billion pounds ($4.3 billion) after rising sharply in value since the assets were confiscated.

Law firm Candey, which represents about 5,700 victims, said the proposed compensation arrangement may not guarantee fair restitution. The fraud scheme itself reportedly affected more than 128,000 investors in China, according to court documents cited by the FT.

The case highlights growing legal questions around crypto seizures, where digital assets can appreciate significantly between confiscation and restitution. The dispute stems from a Chinese investment fraud scheme that ran between 2014 and 2017 and defrauded investors before proceeds were converted into BTC and moved abroad.

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