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
4394 stories- Economy· UAE
UAE Economy Achieves 9th Global Ranking in Goods Exports Amid Non-Oil Sector Growth
The United Arab Emirates economy has reinforced its global standing by achieving a ninth-place ranking in goods exports as of April 18, 2026. This milestone is driven by the expansion of the non-oil sector and the signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements in the first quarter of 2026. Looking ahead, the UAE aims to further diversify its economy and increase non-oil trade to 4 trillion dirhams by 2031, indicating a strategic shift towards sustainable growth amidst regional challenges.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· UAE
Dubai Real Estate Transactions Surge to 11.72 Billion AED in Mid-April 2026
Dubai's real estate sector reported transactions totaling 11.72 billion AED for the week ending April 17, 2026. This surge is attributed to sustained demand from both local and international investors, reflecting ongoing market strength despite regional dynamics. The long-term implication suggests continued investment opportunities and economic contributions from the real estate sector in Dubai.
4 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· UAE
Dubai Chambers and Textile Merchants Group Meet to Strengthen Fabrics Sector Resilience
On April 17, 2026, Dubai Chambers held a meeting with the Textile Merchants Group to discuss strategies for enhancing the resilience and sustainable growth of the fabrics trade sector. This initiative is driven by the need to adapt to global economic changes and supply chain disruptions. The long-term implication is a reinforced position for Dubai as a leading international hub for textiles, supporting local employment and business opportunities.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· World
Spektr Secures $20 Million Series A Funding to Enhance Financial Compliance Automation
Spektr, an AI startup based in Copenhagen, raised $20 million in Series A funding to automate compliance workflows in financial services. The funding round, led by New Enterprise Associates, comes as financial institutions face increasing regulatory pressures to streamline KYC and KYB processes. This investment is expected to accelerate Spektr's platform expansion and global adoption among banks and fintechs, potentially reshaping compliance operations in the industry.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· World
Accel Raises $5 Billion for Late-Stage AI Investments
On April 15, 2026, Accel announced the closure of a $5 billion fund aimed at late-stage artificial intelligence companies. This significant capital raise follows a record $297 billion in global venture capital deployments in Q1 2026, indicating a robust interest in AI infrastructure. The long-term implication is a likely acceleration in AI innovation and scaling, as major players secure substantial funding to enhance their market positions.
4 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· UAE
Apple Reports 30% Recycled Material in 2025 Shipments and Completes Plastic-Free Packaging Transition
Apple has announced that 30% of materials in products shipped during 2025 will consist of recycled content, marking a significant milestone in its environmental efforts. This achievement is driven by Apple's ongoing commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality across its supply chain by 2030. The long-term implication is a potential shift in industry standards towards increased use of recycled materials, influencing competitors and consumer expectations alike.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· World
Upscale AI in Advanced Funding Talks at $2 Billion Valuation
Upscale AI is currently negotiating to raise between $180 million and $200 million at a valuation of $2 billion, marking its third funding round since its launch. This surge in funding interest is driven by the growing demand for AI infrastructure solutions amid a booming market for scalable GPU interconnects. If successful, this funding will further solidify Upscale AI's position in a projected $100 billion annual market for AI networking by the end of the decade.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· World
Cursor AI Startup Negotiates $2 Billion Funding at $50 Billion Valuation Following Revenue Surge
On April 17, 2026, Cursor, an AI-powered coding startup, entered advanced talks to secure at least $2 billion in funding at a $50 billion valuation. This development is driven by a significant increase in enterprise revenue, which is projected to reach over $6 billion in annualized run rate by the end of 2026. The long-term implication suggests that Cursor's competitive position in the AI coding tools market will strengthen, potentially reshaping industry dynamics and investor interest in similar startups.
3 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· MENA
eToro to Acquire Zengo for $70 Million to Enhance Crypto Services
On April 15, 2026, eToro announced an agreement to acquire Zengo, a self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet provider, for approximately $70 million. This acquisition is driven by eToro's strategy to integrate Zengo's advanced wallet technology to expand its digital asset services amid a growing demand for self-custody solutions. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for eToro in the evolving crypto landscape, particularly in bridging traditional finance with decentralized finance offerings.
4 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Virginia Enacts Law for In-Kind Transfer of Unclaimed Digital Assets
On April 13, 2026, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed House Bill 798 into law, establishing a framework for the handling of unclaimed digital assets, including cryptocurrency. This legislative action is prompted by the need to address uncertainties in the existing unclaimed property framework amid increasing digital asset adoption. The long-term implication is that Virginia may set a precedent for other states to follow in regulating unclaimed digital assets, potentially influencing national standards in the industry.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
ETH/BTC Ratio Hits Three-Month High Amid Increased Ethereum Activity
The ETH/BTC ratio reached 0.0313 on April 14, 2026, marking its highest level since January. This surge is attributed to a significant 82% increase in new Ethereum users during Q1 2026 and a record stablecoin supply of $180 billion. The long-term implication suggests a potential capital rotation towards Ethereum, indicating a shift in market dynamics within the cryptocurrency sector.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Bitmine Immersion Technologies Reports $3.82 Billion Net Loss Due to Ethereum Impairments
Bitmine Immersion Technologies has reported a net loss of $3.82 billion for the quarter ending February 28, 2026, primarily driven by unrealized losses on its Ethereum holdings. This significant financial setback is attributed to a 32% decline in Ethereum prices during the first quarter of 2026, exacerbated by market corrections and geopolitical tensions. The long-term implication for the company may involve a reevaluation of its aggressive ETH accumulation strategy amidst increasing volatility in the cryptocurrency market.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Tether Transfers 951 BTC to Reserve Wallet as Holdings Exceed 97,000 BTC
On April 15, 2026, Tether transferred 951 Bitcoin valued at approximately $70 million from a Bitfinex wallet to its reserve address, increasing its total Bitcoin holdings to 97,141 BTC. This transfer is part of Tether's ongoing strategy to allocate 15% of its net realized operating profits toward Bitcoin acquisitions, enhancing reserve diversification. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for Tether in the cryptocurrency market, particularly in regions like the UAE where USDT is widely used, potentially increasing liquidity and confidence among traders.
5 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
BitMEX Research Proposes Canary Fund to Address Quantum Threats to Bitcoin
On April 16, 2026, BitMEX Research introduced a reactive 'canary fund' proposal to counter the proactive BIP-361 migration plan aimed at mitigating quantum computing risks to Bitcoin. This initiative arises in response to growing concerns about quantum threats, particularly as research indicates feasible attacks could occur by 2029. The long-term implication may lead to a shift in Bitcoin security strategies, prioritizing user control and evidence-based activation over mandatory asset migrations.
4 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Denmark's Cryptocurrency Ownership Remains at 4% in 2025
A recent report by Danmarks Nationalbank indicates that 4% of Danish citizens owned cryptocurrency in 2025, unchanged from 2023 levels. This stability is attributed to cautious banking policies, asymmetric tax treatment, and a low public risk appetite. The long-term implication suggests that despite gradual institutional shifts, significant barriers to crypto adoption remain in Denmark.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· World
OpenAI shifts focus to enterprise AI with new model amid competition from Anthropic
On April 15, 2026, OpenAI announced a strategic pivot towards business users by unveiling a new AI model codenamed Spud. This shift is driven by Anthropic's significant market share gains in the enterprise AI sector, prompting OpenAI to deprioritize consumer products to enhance profitability. Long-term, OpenAI aims to increase its business revenue from 20% to 50% by the end of 2026, positioning itself more competitively in the enterprise market.
4 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· MENA
State Bank of Pakistan Lifts 2018 Ban on Banking for Virtual Asset Service Providers
On April 14, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan authorized banking services for licensed virtual asset service providers, reversing a ban imposed in 2018. This regulatory shift is driven by the need to formalize the rapidly growing crypto market, which has seen significant underground adoption and economic pressures. The long-term implication is the potential establishment of Pakistan as a regional crypto hub, enhancing remittance efficiency for millions of expatriates and reducing reliance on informal channels.
6 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
World Liberty Financial Proposes 10% Burn of Insider WLFI Tokens to Address Governance Issues
World Liberty Financial has proposed a governance overhaul that includes a 10% burn of up to 4.5 billion insider WLFI tokens. This initiative is triggered by ongoing governance challenges, including low participation rates in previous proposals, and aims to enhance token supply predictability. If approved, this restructuring could lead to increased community engagement and a more aligned governance structure within the decentralized finance protocol.
8 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Approaches $74,500 as S&P 500 Hits Historic 7,000 Points
Bitcoin rebounded to nearly $74,500 on April 16, 2026, coinciding with the S&P 500 surpassing 7,000 points for the first time. This surge is driven by resilient U.S. labor data and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The long-term implication suggests a potential correlation between Bitcoin and U.S. equity markets, indicating a shift in investor sentiment towards riskier assets despite regional uncertainties.
4 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
U.S. Senate Moves Closer to Passing CLARITY Act for Stablecoin Regulation
U.S. lawmakers are nearing a final agreement on the CLARITY Act's stablecoin provisions, resolving disputes over yield features that have stalled progress. The immediate trigger for this development is the White House's mediation to address tensions between banks and crypto firms ahead of the 2026 midterms. Long-term implications include a clearer regulatory framework for stablecoins, potentially increasing institutional adoption of digital assets in the U.S. market.
4 sourcesApr 18High