What is Moltbot? The Viral AI Assistant & The Crypto Scam Warning

If you have been following tech news in India recently, you might have seen a strange name trending: Moltbot. Until just a few days ago, this tool was famous as “Clawdbot,” but it suddenly changed its name.

It is not just another chatbot like ChatGPT or Gemini. Tech experts are calling it the future of AI. It is so popular that reports say it is even boosting sales of Apple Mac Minis. However, there is also a serious warning for users about fake crypto scams related to it.

Here is everything you need to know about Moltbot, why it is viral in India, and if it is safe for you.

What Actually is Moltbot?

Moltbot (formerly known as Clawdbot) is a personal AI assistant that you run on your own computer.

Most AI tools, like ChatGPT, run on the company’s big servers. You send a message, and they send an answer back. Moltbot is different. It is “local-first” software. This means you install it on your own laptop or server (like a Mac Mini or a PC), and it lives there.

Why is it special?

• It “Does” Things: Unlike normal chatbots that just talk, Moltbot can actually perform tasks. It can manage your calendar, open files, run computer commands, and browse the web for you.
• It Remembers You: It has “persistent memory.” It remembers conversations you had days or weeks ago, so you don’t have to repeat yourself.
• WhatsApp Integration: You can connect Moltbot to WhatsApp, Telegram, or Slack. This allows you to chat with your home computer from your phone while you are out.

Why Did the Name Change from Clawdbot?

The tool was created by an Austrian developer named Peter Steinberger. He originally named it “Clawd” as a joke because it used the “Claude” AI model (by a company called Anthropic).

However, as the tool went viral, Anthropic reportedly reached out to Steinberger with a trademark concern. The names “Clawd” and “Claude” were too similar. To avoid legal trouble, the creator quickly rebranded the tool to Moltbot (inspired by a lobster “molting” or shedding its shell).

The “Crypto Scam” Warning: Don’t Get Cheated

This is the most important part for Indian users. Whenever a tech topic goes viral, scammers try to make money from it.

After the name change, scammers hijacked the old “Clawdbot” social media handles and started promoting fake cryptocurrency tokens (like $CLAWD or $MOLT).

Official Warning:

• There is NO Moltbot coin.
• The creator, Peter Steinberger, has publicly stated that he has not launched any cryptocurrency.
• If you see anyone on X (Twitter) or Telegram asking you to buy a “Moltbot Token,” it is a scam. Do not invest your money.

Is Moltbot Safe to Use?

Moltbot is powerful, but experts warn it has “sharp edges.” Because it runs on your computer and can execute commands (like “delete this file” or “open this app”), it has a lot of power.

If you are a regular user without technical knowledge, be careful.

1. Security Risk: If hackers get access to your Moltbot, they technically have access to your computer.
2. Not for Beginners: Installing it requires using the “Terminal” (coding command line). It is not a simple app you download from the Play Store.

How to Get Moltbot?

Currently, there is no “Moltbot App” on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

To use it, you need to be somewhat technical. You have to download the code from GitHub and install it on a computer that stays on 24/7 (which is why people are buying Mac Minis).

If you are a developer or a tech enthusiast, you can find the official open-source code on GitHub under the new name “Moltbot.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)