Fake ‘ClawdBot’ AI Token Soars to $16M, Then Crashes 90% — Founder Sounds Scam Alarm

A counterfeit cryptocurrency token mimicking the popular open-source AI assistant ClawdBot (recently rebranded to Moltbot) skyrocketed to a market capitalization of nearly $16 million before collapsing over 90% in value, leaving retail investors facing steep losses.

The fake $CLAWD token, launched on the Solana blockchain, gained explosive traction amid the project’s viral growth and a chaotic rename process. Scammers exploited a brief vulnerability during the transition from ClawdBot to Moltbot, hijacking the original GitHub organization and X account in seconds. They used these compromised channels to promote the token as an “official” AI-linked asset, fueling FOMO-driven buying among speculators.

On-chain data shows the token’s rapid rise, peaking at around $16 million, followed by a swift liquidity drain and massive sell-off once doubts emerged. The crash intensified after ClawdBot/Moltbot founder Peter Steinberger issued a stark public denial: “I will never do a coin. Any project that lists me as coin owner is a SCAM.” He urged the community to ignore such tokens and stop harassment related to crypto inquiries.

This incident underscores a persistent trend in the crypto space: bad actors hijacking legitimate AI project hype to launch impersonator meme coins. These schemes often rely on copied branding, social media pumps, and unaudited contracts to lure quick capital before rugs or dumps.

The legitimate ClawdBot/Moltbot team has no token plans and emphasizes open-source AI tools without crypto ties. Experts warn that as AI-crypto crossovers grow, similar impersonation scams will proliferate.

**Investor precautions include:**
– Always verify via official project channels (post-rebrand: Moltbot accounts).
– Cross-check contract addresses on explorers like Solscan.
– Avoid unconfirmed launches lacking team verification or audits.

This event serves as a stark reminder of the high risks in unverified meme and AI-themed tokens.