What is OpenClaw? AI Assistant for Crypto Traders (Formerly Claude Bot)

OpenClaw is an open-source AI assistant that runs on your own server and connects to your messaging apps. Previously known as Claude Bot and MoldBot, it’s powered by Anthropic’s Claude AI and can help with everything from researching meme coins to automating your daily trading workflow.

Unlike ChatGPT or other web-based AI tools, OpenClaw runs locally on your machine (or a VPS), giving you full control over your data and 24/7 availability. For crypto traders, this means an AI assistant that never sleeps, can monitor markets while you’re away, and keeps your research private.

Why Crypto Traders Use OpenClaw

OpenClaw isn’t just another chatbot — it’s a personal AI that can take actions. Here’s what makes it valuable for trading:

1. Research Tokens Faster

Instead of manually checking DEXScreener, Twitter, and contract addresses, ask OpenClaw:

• “Research this contract: [address]. Is it safe?”
• “What’s the Twitter sentiment on $BONK right now?”
• “Summarize the latest news about Solana meme coins”

OpenClaw can browse the web, analyze data, and give you a summary in seconds.

2. Monitor Wallets & Launches

Set up alerts for:

• Whale wallet movements
• New token launches on pump.fun
• Price alerts on your holdings

OpenClaw can message you on Telegram, Discord, or Signal when something important happens.

3. Automate Repetitive Tasks

Things you do every day that OpenClaw can handle:

• Morning market briefings
• Portfolio tracking
• News aggregation from crypto Twitter
• Scheduled reminders for token unlocks

4. Private & Self-Hosted

Your conversations and research stay on your server. No third-party company storing your trading strategies or wallet addresses.

OpenClaw vs ChatGPT vs Other AI Tools

The key difference: OpenClaw runs on your infrastructure and can connect to your messaging apps, calendars, and other services. It’s not just a chat interface — it’s an AI that can actually do things for you.

How Crypto Traders Set Up OpenClaw

What You Need

1. A VPS or home server — OpenClaw needs somewhere to run 24/7
2. Anthropic API key — For Claude AI access (pay-per-use)
3. Telegram/Discord bot token — To connect your messaging
4. 30 minutes — Initial setup time

Recommended VPS Providers

For running OpenClaw 24/7, you want a reliable VPS with excellent uptime:

A basic $5-6/mo server is enough to run OpenClaw. I recommend Vultr for its global coverage and reliability. You’ll also pay for Claude API usage, which typically runs $5-20/mo depending on how much you use it.

Quick Start

# Install OpenClaw
npm install -g openclaw

# Set up configuration
openclaw init

# Start the gateway
openclaw gateway start

Full documentation: docs.openclaw.ai

Use Cases for Solana Traders

Here’s how I’d use OpenClaw alongside the tools we cover on this blog:

Morning Routine Automation

Set up a daily briefing that runs at 8 AM:

• Top gainers on Solana
• New launches on pump.fun overnight
• Any whale movements in tokens you hold
• Upcoming token unlocks

Research Assistant

When you find a potential play:

1. Paste the contract address to OpenClaw
2. Ask it to check the contract, team socials, holder distribution
3. Get a risk summary before you ape

Trade Journaling

After each trade, tell OpenClaw:

• “I bought 1 SOL of $XYZ at $0.001 market cap”
• It logs it, tracks your P&L, and reminds you of your exit strategy

Sniper Alerts

Combine OpenClaw with your sniping setup:

• Get alerts when specific wallets deploy new tokens
• Notifications when your snipes execute
• Summaries of your daily snipe performance

From Claude Bot to OpenClaw

OpenClaw has gone through several names:

• MoldBot — Early development name
• Claude Bot — When it launched as a Claude-powered bot
• OpenClaw — Current name, reflecting its open-source nature

The name changed, but the mission stayed the same: give everyone access to a personal AI assistant that actually gets things done.

Getting Started

If you want to set up OpenClaw for crypto trading:

1. Get a VPS — I recommend Vultr for best global coverage ($300 free credit)
2. Get an Anthropic API key — console.anthropic.com
3. Follow the setup guide — docs.openclaw.ai
4. Connect Telegram — So you can chat with it anywhere

Once it’s running, you’ll have a 24/7 AI assistant that knows your portfolio, remembers your research, and can help you make better trading decisions.

FAQ

Is OpenClaw free?

OpenClaw itself is open-source and free. You’ll pay for:

• VPS hosting (~$5-6/month)
• Anthropic API usage (~$5-20/month depending on use)

Is it safe for crypto?

OpenClaw runs on your own server, so your data stays private. It doesn’t have access to your wallet private keys unless you explicitly give them (which you shouldn’t). Use it for research and alerts, not for holding funds.

Can OpenClaw execute trades?

Not directly. It’s an AI assistant, not a trading bot. Use it alongside tools like Trojan or BonkBot for execution.

What’s the difference between OpenClaw and Claude?

Claude is the AI model (made by Anthropic). OpenClaw is the gateway that lets Claude connect to Telegram, run on your server, and take actions. Think of Claude as the brain, OpenClaw as the body.

Do I need coding experience?

Basic command line knowledge helps, but the setup is straightforward. If you can SSH into a server and run npm commands, you can set up OpenClaw.

Can I use it for non-crypto stuff?

Absolutely. OpenClaw is a general-purpose AI assistant. Many people use it for productivity, writing, research, home automation, and more. The crypto use cases are just particularly compelling.

Related Guides

Now that you know about OpenClaw, check out the trading tools you can use alongside it:

• How to snipe tokens on Solana — Get early entries on new launches
• Best Solana wallets for meme coins — Secure your holdings
• How to use Photon — Research and discover tokens
• How to buy on pump.fun — Trade the latest launches

Happy trading! 🚀