Bio
Saqib is COO and co-founder at A47 AI, where he runs operations and leads the prediction-markets initiative. He covers crypto, Web3, and the decentralization of the sport and entertainment economy.
Editorial Responsibility
As A47's prediction-markets and crypto editor, I am responsible for our coverage of these markets and Web3 — ensuring it is grounded in real product, data, and revenue rather than speculation.
Previous experience · 14+ years
- · WPP Media (GroupM PK, Wavemaker PH)
- · MYCO
- · ARY Digital Network
Education
MBA Marketing, SZABIST
Areas of expertise
Categories overseen
Stories from Saqib Pathan’s desk
4374 stories- Economy· UAE
UAE Economy Sees Accelerated Growth in Early 2026 Fueled by Banking and Trade
The UAE economy has experienced accelerated growth in early 2026, with banking assets increasing by 1.1% to Dh5.472 trillion and trade flows maintaining momentum from the previous year. This growth is triggered by the ongoing diversification efforts and strong liquidity in the banking sector, alongside new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements signed in Q1 2026. Long-term, this positions the UAE for a projected 5.6% real GDP growth in 2026, reinforcing its status as a global trade hub.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· UAE
UAE Federal Tax Authority Initiates Emirati Tax Agent Programme to Address Local Expertise Shortage
On April 18, 2026, the UAE Federal Tax Authority launched the first phase of the Emirati Tax Agent Programme in Dubai, training 50 Emiratis in tax compliance. This initiative is a response to the growing need for qualified tax professionals following the implementation of VAT and corporate tax in the UAE. Long-term, this programme aims to enhance local talent in the financial sector, supporting the UAE's economic diversification and entrepreneurial goals.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· MENA
Dubai Chambers Strengthens Trade Relations with Philippines through High-Level Meetings
On April 18, 2026, Dubai Chambers delegation led by President and CEO Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah concluded high-level meetings with Philippine business leaders in Manila to enhance bilateral investment and trade ties. This initiative is driven by Dubai's strategic goal to expand its non-oil trade, which reached AED 3.58 billion in 2025, amid increasing economic collaboration. The long-term implication is the establishment of a representative office in Manila, facilitating deeper cooperation in key sectors such as AI and digital transformation, thereby supporting Dubai's global trade ambitions.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· World
U.S. Department of Energy Allocates 26.03 Million Barrels from Strategic Petroleum Reserve Amid Ongoing Conflict
On April 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded contracts for 26.03 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to nine companies through an emergency exchange. This decision is a response to supply disruptions and rising fuel prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. The long-term implication is a potential stabilization of global oil markets, which may influence fuel prices in regions like the UAE that are heavily reliant on oil exports.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· UAE
UAE Ministry of Economy Launches Essential Goods Prices Platform for Consumer Transparency
On April 19, 2026, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism launched the Essential Goods Prices Platform to track prices of essential goods across major retailers. This initiative is driven by the need for market transparency and price stability ahead of Ramadan 2026, amidst global supply chain challenges and inflation concerns. Long-term, this platform is expected to empower consumers and enhance fair competition in the retail sector.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· UAE
Dubai Maintains Economic Stability Amid Global Geopolitical Tensions
Dubai has demonstrated economic resilience as it navigates escalating global geopolitical tensions. This stability is attributed to strategic diversification efforts and proactive government measures, including a Dh1 billion stimulus package. Looking ahead, Dubai is likely to reinforce its position as a stable global hub, attracting continued investment and fostering growth in non-oil sectors.
4 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· MENA
Libya Signs First Unified National Budget in Over a Decade with International Support
Libya's rival legislative bodies signed a unified national budget for 2026, marking the first such agreement since 2013. This development follows months of U.S.-facilitated negotiations aimed at addressing the country's ongoing political and financial fragmentation. The long-term implication is a potential stabilization of Libya's economy and increased oil production, which may enhance regional energy security and trade relations, particularly with neighboring countries like the UAE.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
Cursor AI Engages in Advanced Funding Talks for Over $2 Billion at $50 Billion Valuation
On April 17, 2026, AI coding startup Cursor entered advanced funding discussions to raise more than $2 billion at a $50 billion pre-money valuation. This development is driven by a surge in enterprise adoption, with projected annualized revenue run rate exceeding $6 billion by year-end 2026. The long-term implication suggests that Cursor's success could further solidify its position in the competitive AI coding market and attract additional investments in the sector.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Flow Capital Partners to Tokenize $150 Million Private Credit Fund via DigiFT
On April 17, 2026, Flow Capital Partners announced plans to tokenize its $150 million private credit fund using Singapore-based DigiFT. This initiative is driven by the growing trend of real-world asset tokenization and aims to raise an additional $30 million by the end of 2026. The long-term implication is a potential shift in how private credit investments are structured and accessed by institutional investors through blockchain technology.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Grinex Cryptocurrency Exchange Loses $15 Million in Cyberattack Blamed on Western Intelligence
On April 15, 2026, Grinex, a Kyrgyzstan-registered cryptocurrency exchange linked to Russia, reported a cyberattack resulting in the theft of approximately $15 million in USDT from around 70 wallets. The attack is attributed to 'western special services' due to its sophistication, coinciding with ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding cryptocurrency and sanctions. This incident may lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory measures on cryptocurrency exchanges operating in politically sensitive environments.
5 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Cryptocurrency Futures Markets Experience $826 Million Liquidation as Bitcoin Surpasses $78,000
On April 17, 2026, cryptocurrency futures markets liquidated $826 million in leveraged positions as Bitcoin's price exceeded $78,000. This surge was triggered by easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which fostered bullish sentiment. The long-term implication suggests increased volatility in cryptocurrency markets as geopolitical factors continue to influence trading dynamics.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Circle Internet Financial Sued for Negligence Over $230 Million USDC Theft Following Drift Protocol Exploit
Circle Internet Financial is facing a class action lawsuit filed on April 14, 2026, for allegedly failing to freeze over $230 million in stolen USDC after the Drift Protocol exploit on April 1, 2026. The lawsuit was triggered by claims that Circle allowed attackers, suspected to be North Korean state actors, to transfer stolen funds despite having the technical ability to intervene. This incident highlights significant regulatory gaps in the cryptocurrency sector and may lead to increased scrutiny and calls for legislative changes regarding fund security and response protocols in the DeFi space.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Grinex cryptocurrency exchange halts operations after $13.7 million cyberattack linked to state actors
On April 16, 2026, Grinex, a cryptocurrency exchange with ties to Russia, suspended all operations following a cyberattack that resulted in the theft of over 1 billion rubles. The immediate trigger for this suspension was the sophisticated nature of the attack, attributed to foreign intelligence services aiming to undermine Russia's financial systems. In the long term, this incident may exacerbate geopolitical tensions and lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges operating in sanctioned environments.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Breaks 100-Day Moving Average Amid MicroStrategy Stock Surge
Bitcoin surpassed its 100-day moving average on April 17, 2026, reaching a high of $77,391 after a prolonged consolidation phase. This breakout was triggered by significant market dynamics, including a $450 million absorption of sell orders and a notable $597.5 million inflow into spot ETFs, alongside MicroStrategy's recent acquisition of 13,927 BTC. The long-term implication suggests a potential bullish trend for Bitcoin, with analysts eyeing $80,000 as the next resistance level and increased institutional interest in cryptocurrency markets.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Payward Inc. acquires Bitnomial for $550 million to enhance U.S. crypto derivatives offerings
On April 17, 2026, Payward Inc. announced its acquisition of Bitnomial, a fully CFTC-licensed crypto derivatives firm, for up to $550 million. This strategic move is driven by Payward's goal to expand its regulated derivatives capabilities in the U.S. market amidst evolving regulatory clarity for digital assets. The acquisition is expected to solidify Payward's position in the crypto derivatives space and may lead to further consolidation in the industry as firms seek compliance and competitive advantages.
5 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
KelpDAO exploit leads to Aave liquidity crisis and $6 billion TVL drop
On April 18, 2026, an attacker exploited KelpDAO's LayerZero bridge, minting 116,500 unbacked rsETH tokens valued at $292 million. This exploit triggered a liquidity crisis in Aave's ETH pool, causing utilization to reach 100% and prompting over $5 billion in withdrawals. The long-term implication is a potential reevaluation of security protocols in decentralized finance, as the incident may lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory measures in the crypto space.
3 sourcesApr 20Very High
- Crypto· World
Circle Launches USDC Bridge for Cross-Chain Transfers Across EVM-Compatible Blockchains
Circle has launched the USDC Bridge, enabling direct 1:1 transfers of USDC between EVM-compatible networks without the need for wrapped tokens or liquidity pools. This launch is driven by the need to streamline cross-chain transactions and enhance liquidity management, particularly as CCTP V1 phases out. The long-term implication is an increased adoption of USDC in decentralized finance, potentially positioning it as a stronger competitor against other stablecoins like USDT.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
French Finance Minister Calls for Increased Euro-Pegged Stablecoins to Reduce Dollar Dependence
On April 17, 2026, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure urged European banks to develop more euro-pegged stablecoins. This initiative is driven by the need to enhance Europe's financial sovereignty amid rising geopolitical tensions and the dominance of US dollar stablecoins. The long-term implication is a potential shift in the stablecoin market, with projections indicating euro stablecoins could grow significantly by 2030.
4 sourcesApr 20Moderate
- Crypto· World
U.S. Court Dismisses Securities Claims Against Caitlyn Jenner's JENNER Memecoin
On April 16, 2026, a U.S. District Court dismissed federal securities claims against Caitlyn Jenner's JENNER memecoin, ruling it did not meet the criteria of an unregistered security. The dismissal was triggered by the court's finding that the token lacked evidence of a common enterprise as defined by the Howey test. This ruling may set a precedent that could influence the regulatory landscape for celebrity-endorsed cryptocurrencies and similar projects in the future.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Price Drops to $75,000 Following Iran's Closure of Strait of Hormuz
Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, 2026, in response to a United States naval blockade of its ports, triggering a Bitcoin price drop from $78,400 to approximately $75,000. The immediate causality stems from renewed tensions in the ongoing US-Iran war, which has disrupted oil trade and shifted market focus. Long-term implications include potential further volatility in cryptocurrency markets and rising oil prices impacting global inflation.
9 sourcesApr 20High