DeepSeek Challenges Claude Code with Open Agent Framework

Chinese AI developer DeepSeek has resumed its second funding round after a week-long pause triggered by a leaked transcript of a confidential call between CEO Liang Wenfeng and investors. The company also plans to increase prices for its AI models. The funding resumption signals investor confidence despite the operational disruption from the leak.

Chinese AI developer DeepSeek has paused its current funding round, which was valued at 500 billion yuan ($74 billion), according to sources with direct knowledge. The halt follows a leaked transcript involving CEO Liang. The move signals a potential shift in the company's capital strategy amid ongoing scrutiny.

The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security is formally investigating whether Chinese AI companies like Moonshot are improperly accessing advanced American chips and training models on intellectual property from U.S. labs such as Anthropic. Trump administration officials have publicly accused Moonshot and other Chinese open source AI firms of stealing IP from American AI developers. If the investigation concludes misconduct occurred, the Commerce Department could add Moonshot to its entity list, restricting access to U.S. advanced chip technology.

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI lab, is planning another funding round weeks after closing a $7.4 billion raise at a post-money valuation exceeding $50 billion. The rapid succession of fundraising rounds signals aggressive capital deployment and expansion plans. The move comes as competition in AI development intensifies globally.