Behind the OpenClaw Gold Rush: The Shovel Sellers Never Worry, Only the Miners Do
OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent framework, has sparked a frenzy in China, creating a wave of anxiety among users while a complete industry profits from it. The article reveals how various players are monetizing this trend: hardware manufacturers, like former crypto mining rig producers, are selling pre-configured “OpenClaw-optimized” devices; API resellers are offering discounted—and sometimes fraudulent—access to model tokens, with some making millions monthly by secretly swapping premium models for cheaper ones or collecting valuable user data; and service providers are capitalizing on information asymmetry, offering installation, customization, and industry-specific packages, with some earning over $1.8 million. The core insight is that, much like historical gold rushes, the real profits are not made by the “miners” (end-users) but by the “shovel sellers” (those providing tools and services), who exploit consistent human anxiety and the fear of being left behind.
比推03/11 11:44
