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
4395 stories- Crypto· World
Arkham Intelligence Labels Morgan Stanley Bitcoin ETF Wallets for Public Tracking
Arkham Intelligence has publicly labeled three on-chain wallets linked to Morgan Stanley's newly launched MSBT Bitcoin ETF, allowing real-time monitoring of its Bitcoin holdings. This development follows the ETF's launch on April 8, 2026, which marked a significant entry of a major U.S. bank into the Bitcoin market amid increasing institutional adoption. The long-term implication is a potential shift towards greater transparency in cryptocurrency holdings, influencing investor confidence and market dynamics.
5 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Crypto· World
CME Bitcoin Options Open Interest Remains Heavily Skewed Toward Puts Amid Price Consolidation
On April 18, 2026, Bitcoin CME options open interest remained predominantly put-dominant as the price stabilized around $76,000. This trend is driven by institutional traders engaging in hedging behavior following Bitcoin's significant price drop from late-2025 highs above $125,000. The long-term implication suggests continued caution in the derivatives market as participants await clearer signals on Bitcoin's price floor ahead of the April 24 expiry.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
French Finance Minister Calls for Increased Euro-Pegged Stablecoins to Mitigate Dollar Dependence
On April 17, 2026, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure urged European banks to develop more euro-backed stablecoins. This call comes as the market share of euro-pegged stablecoins remains significantly low at 0.207%, highlighting the need for financial sovereignty amid rising geopolitical tensions. The long-term implication is a potential shift in the European financial landscape towards greater reliance on euro-based digital assets, particularly with the planned Qivalis launch in H2 2026.
4 sourcesApr 19Low - Crypto· World
Iran Enforces Cryptocurrency Tolls for Oil Transit in Strait of Hormuz
On April 8, 2026, Iran imposed tolls payable in Bitcoin and stablecoins for oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This decision follows the ongoing 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, triggered by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, which has forced Iran to adopt cryptocurrency to circumvent sanctions. The long-term implication may see a shift in global oil trade dynamics as Iran leverages digital currencies to maintain its oil exports amidst geopolitical tensions.
6 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Surges Above $77,000 Amid Low Investor Sentiment
Bitcoin's price rose above $77,000 for the first time in 11 weeks on April 17, 2026, driven by hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East. Despite this price increase, investor sentiment remains extremely low, with a 3:2 ratio of bearish to bullish comments on social media reflecting ongoing retail fatigue. Analysts suggest that this persistent fear could lead to a potential short-squeeze and target prices between $84,000 and $90,000 in the near future.
5 sourcesApr 19High
- Crypto· World
KelpDAO Exploit Results in $292 Million Loss and $236 Million Bad Debt on Aave
KelpDAO experienced a significant exploit on April 18, 2026, resulting in the theft of $292 million through its LayerZero rsETH bridge. The attack was triggered by a vulnerability in the bridge's single-signer configuration, allowing the attacker to mint unbacked tokens and create substantial bad debt on Aave. This incident underscores the ongoing risks in decentralized finance, likely prompting increased scrutiny and regulatory measures within the industry.
3 sourcesApr 19Very High
- Economy· World
Euro Area Inflation Rate Rises to 2.6% Amid Energy Price Surge
The Euro area annual inflation rate increased to 2.6% in March 2026, surpassing the previous month's rate of 1.9%. This rise is attributed to a significant spike in energy prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly affecting oil supplies. The long-term implication suggests that the European Central Bank may need to adjust its monetary policy to address sustained inflationary pressures in the region.
5 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
PepsiCo Reports 8.5 Percent Revenue Growth in Q1 2026 Driven by Price Reductions
PepsiCo announced an 8.5 percent increase in revenue for Q1 2026, reaching $19.44 billion, attributed to strategic price reductions on core snack brands. This shift follows a series of price hikes that previously diminished consumer demand, prompting the company to adjust its pricing strategy in response to activist investor pressure. The long-term implication suggests a renewed focus on value pricing and innovation to regain market share and consumer loyalty in a competitive landscape.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
Circle CEO Highlights Potential for Yuan-Backed Stablecoin in Global Currency Landscape
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire announced a significant opportunity for a yuan-backed stablecoin during a recent interview in Hong Kong. This statement comes as China is reportedly considering the launch of such a stablecoin within the next three to five years, driven by the ongoing competition between the U.S. dollar and the yuan. The long-term implication suggests that the introduction of a yuan stablecoin could reshape global payment systems and enhance China's financial influence internationally.
4 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
Charles Schwab Launches Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading for U.S. Retail Clients
On April 16, 2026, Charles Schwab Corporation announced the launch of Schwab Crypto, a platform for direct spot trading of Bitcoin and Ethereum for eligible U.S. retail clients. This initiative is driven by recent regulatory clarity from the SEC and CFTC, allowing Schwab to expand its cryptocurrency offerings after years of indirect exposure. The long-term implication is a potential shift in the retail investment landscape, as more clients gain access to direct cryptocurrency trading through established brokerage platforms.
5 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Business· World
Madison Air Solutions Completes $2.23 Billion IPO on NYSE with 18 Percent Share Surge
Madison Air Solutions Corp. successfully raised $2.23 billion in its initial public offering, marking the largest U.S. industrial IPO since 1999. The surge in demand for data center infrastructure, driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence, prompted this significant market entry. This IPO signals a renewed investor confidence in the industrial sector, particularly in companies supporting AI and cloud computing growth.
3 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Economy· World
G7 Finance Ministers Address Economic Impact of Middle East Conflict
On April 16, 2026, G7 finance ministers and central bank governors convened in Washington, D.C., to address the urgent need to limit the global economic costs stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict. This meeting was triggered by the significant disruptions in energy supply, particularly due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has impacted global oil shipments and prices. The long-term implication is a coordinated effort among G7 nations to enhance supply chain resilience and prevent economic fallout that could exacerbate inflation and lead to a potential global recession if the conflict persists.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
Wall Street Banks Begin Trading Credit Default Swaps on Private Credit Funds
Wall Street banks have initiated trading of credit default swaps linked to major private credit funds, marking a significant shift in the derivatives market. This move comes in response to rising defaults and refinancing pressures within the $2 trillion private credit sector, exacerbated by AI-related disruptions. The long-term implication may involve increased market volatility and a reevaluation of risk management strategies among investors and financial institutions.
3 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Business· World
Netflix Reports Strong Q1 2026 Earnings but Shares Drop on Guidance and Leadership Changes
Netflix announced Q1 2026 earnings, surpassing EPS estimates with $1.23, but shares fell 9.7% following a disappointing revenue guidance and leadership news. The immediate trigger for the stock decline was the announcement of co-founder Reed Hastings not seeking re-election to the board, coupled with a lower-than-expected revenue growth forecast for Q2. In the long term, this may lead to increased scrutiny on Netflix's strategic direction and potential shifts in investor confidence amidst a competitive streaming landscape.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
State Street Corporation Reports Strong Q1 2026 Earnings with Record Revenue and EPS Beat
State Street Corporation announced its Q1 2026 earnings, achieving a record revenue of $3.8 billion and an adjusted EPS of $2.84, surpassing analyst expectations. This positive performance is attributed to a 16% year-over-year revenue growth driven by increased fee revenue and net interest income amid favorable market conditions. Looking ahead, the firm is likely to continue its strategic focus on AI integration and digital assets, raising its full-year guidance for revenue growth.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
Aevex Corp completes $320 million IPO amid rising defense technology demand
Aevex Corp successfully raised $320 million in its initial public offering on April 17, 2026, with shares debuting on the NYSE under the ticker AVEX. The IPO was driven by strong investor interest in defense technologies, particularly in light of increased military spending proposals from the US Department of Defense. This strategic move positions Aevex to capitalize on the growing demand for autonomous defense systems in a geopolitically tense environment.
4 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
Kailera Therapeutics Completes $625 Million IPO with 63% Surge on Nasdaq
Kailera Therapeutics Inc. successfully launched its initial public offering, raising $625 million and seeing a 63% increase in share price on its debut. This surge is driven by heightened investor interest in obesity treatments, particularly in light of the competitive landscape dominated by established players like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. The long-term implication suggests a potential shift in the biotech sector towards innovative therapies for obesity, as Kailera advances its pipeline and Phase 3 trials for its lead candidate ribupatide.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
Drift Protocol Secures $150 Million Recovery Plan with Tether After $295 Million Exploit
Drift Protocol announced a recovery plan involving up to $150 million from Tether and partners following a $295 million exploit on April 1, 2026. The immediate trigger for this collaboration is the need to restore user confidence and liquidity after the attack attributed to a North Korea-linked group. Long-term, this shift to USDT as the primary settlement asset may enhance Tether's dominance in the Solana DeFi ecosystem and influence stablecoin adoption trends.
15 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
Baird Downgrades Albemarle After Stock Surge Linked to CATL Earnings and Israel-Lebanon Truce
Albemarle Corporation's stock surged 16% on April 16, 2026, following strong earnings from CATL and reports of a temporary truce between Israel and Lebanon. The downgrade by Baird to neutral was triggered by concerns over China's control of the minerals supply chain and expectations of increased lithium supply. This shift may lead to increased volatility in the lithium market as analysts reassess long-term pricing power amid geopolitical tensions and supply dynamics.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
Blue Owl Capital Co-CEOs Remove Share Collateral from Personal Loans Amid Stock Price Decline
On April 17, 2026, Blue Owl Capital co-CEOs Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz revised their personal loan terms to eliminate pledged company shares as collateral. This decision was prompted by a nearly 40 percent decline in Blue Owl's stock price, raising concerns over potential margin calls. The long-term implication may involve increased investor confidence and stabilization of the company's stock as it navigates challenges in the private credit sector.
4 sourcesApr 19Low