WorldLink, Connected to Google, Caught Using Chinese AI; Ties to WLFI Revealed

The ecosystem of World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance (DeFi) project linked to the Trump family, has been revealed to have economic ties to Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) models through its partnered AI service, WorldLink.

WorldLink introduces on its official website that it can access over 300 AI models through WorldRouter. It presented BSC-based USD1 (USD1) as a payment method and explained that some features can be unlocked through WLFI token lock-ups. The structure combines both USD1 payments and WLFI lock-ups.

The World Liberty Financial official website states that DT Marks DEFI LLC holds approximately 38% of the stake in WLF Holdco. However, WorldLink states in its official disclosure that it is a third-party service and that World Liberty Financial or its affiliates do not provide, manage, or control WorldLink. Accordingly, objections have been raised that it is difficult to define the relationship between the two companies as a direct ownership or operational relationship. The focal point based on currently available documents is not direct control but the economic connection established through payments and incentives.

On June 8 (local time), the U.S. Department of Defense updated its list of Chinese military-related companies under Section 1260H of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act to 188 entities. This list included Alibaba and Baidu. While a 1260H designation does not immediately imply illegality, it is cited as grounds for security and regulatory concerns regarding the technology provided by these companies.

The U.S. administration is strengthening its guard against Chinese AI technology, restricting the use of Chinese components and warning allies against participating in the China-led AI bloc. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce expressed a negative view regarding Apple's review of using Chinese memory, and the U.S. State Department is reportedly preparing warning letters to allies stating that participation in the China-led AI bloc could lead to exclusion from the U.S. camp.

Against this backdrop, the operational direction and risk management of the related projects are drawing attention.