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- Crypto· World
Adam Back Challenges BIP-361 Proposal at Paris Blockchain Week
Blockstream CEO Adam Back publicly opposed the BIP-361 proposal aimed at freezing Bitcoin in quantum-vulnerable addresses during his speech at Paris Blockchain Week. This debate has been triggered by concerns over the potential theft of approximately 1.7 million BTC due to advancements in quantum computing, prompting a split in the Bitcoin community. The long-term implication may lead to a reevaluation of Bitcoin's upgrade strategies and the balance between security and decentralization in the face of emerging technologies.
7 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· MENA
Ripple and Kyobo Life Insurance Initiate Pilot for Tokenized Government Bond Settlement in South Korea
Ripple and Kyobo Life Insurance have launched a pilot program for the tokenized settlement of Korean government bonds, aiming to reduce the settlement cycle to near real-time. This initiative is driven by South Korea's ongoing development of a legal framework for tokenized securities and Ripple's expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. The long-term implication could see a significant modernization of South Korea's financial markets, enhancing efficiency and reducing counterparty risks in bond transactions.
5 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin funding rates hit record negative levels amid price surge
Bitcoin perpetual futures funding rates reached their most negative levels since 2023, with a seven-day moving average of -0.005% as of April 16, 2026. This shift is driven by a significant accumulation of short positions across major exchanges, despite Bitcoin's price rising from the mid-$60,000s to approximately $75,000. Analysts anticipate that these negative funding rates could signal a potential short squeeze and price recovery in the long term.
3 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Rakuten Pay Launches XRP Integration for 44 Million Users in Japan
Rakuten Pay has integrated XRP into its payment app, allowing 44 million users to convert loyalty points into XRP and transact at over 5 million merchants. This move is driven by Japan's supportive regulatory environment for digital assets and Rakuten's aim to enhance its cryptocurrency services. The long-term implication is a potential increase in XRP's adoption and value as a mainstream payment method in Japan and beyond.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Price Target Rises to $125,000 Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Optimism
Bitcoin bulls have set a price target of $125,000 within the next 30-60 days, buoyed by positive sentiment from ongoing U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks. This surge in optimism follows a recent ceasefire announcement between Israel and Lebanon and unverified claims of Iranian nuclear concessions by U.S. President Donald Trump. If the ceasefire holds, the cryptocurrency market may see significant upward momentum, potentially leading to a short squeeze and further price increases.
6 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Morgan Stanley Launches First Spot Bitcoin ETF by Major U.S. Bank at NYSE
On April 16, 2026, the New York Stock Exchange hosted a closing bell ceremony for the launch of MSBT, the first spot Bitcoin ETF issued by a major U.S. bank. This event follows the SEC's approval of spot Bitcoin products in January 2024, prompting banks to expand their offerings in digital assets. The successful launch, achieving over $100 million in assets within the first week, signals a significant shift towards institutional acceptance of Bitcoin in traditional investment portfolios.
3 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Grinex Cryptocurrency Exchange Loses $15 Million in Cyberheist Blamed on Western Special Services
On April 16, 2026, Grinex, a Kyrgyzstan-registered cryptocurrency exchange, reported a cyberheist that resulted in the theft of approximately $15 million in USDT from over 70 wallets. The immediate cause of this incident is attributed to a coordinated attack by alleged Western special services, aimed at destabilizing Russia's financial operations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. In the long term, this incident may lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges, particularly those linked to sanctioned entities and operating in high-risk regions.
8 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Flow Capital Partners to Tokenize $150 Million Private Credit Fund on DigiFT Platform
Flow Capital Partners has announced plans to tokenize its $150 million private credit fund using the DigiFT blockchain platform. 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 accessed and managed, enhancing investor distribution and liquidity options in the market.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Ethereum Price Surges Near $2,400 Amid Record U.S. ETF Inflows
Ethereum's price reached an intraday high of $2,375, approaching the $2,400 resistance level as U.S. spot ETFs recorded nearly $300 million in net inflows over six days. This surge is driven by strong institutional demand, particularly from BlackRock's ETHA ETF, and improved macroeconomic sentiment following easing U.S.-Iran tensions. The long-term implication suggests a potential breakout above $2,400, which could further solidify Ethereum's recovery from previous market downturns.
4 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Faces $450 Million Sell Wall Below $76,000 Resistance Level
Bitcoin has stalled below the $76,000 resistance level due to a significant sell wall of $450 million in orders. This situation arises as traders are divided, with shorts defending the level while longs attempt to push for a breakout amid rising derivatives activity. The long-term implication suggests that sustained pressure could lead to increased volatility and potential regulatory scrutiny in the cryptocurrency market.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· MENA
Slash Secures $100 Million Series C Funding to Enhance Stablecoin Business Banking
Slash announced a $100 million Series C funding round at a $1.4 billion valuation, marking a significant milestone for the fintech platform. This funding comes as Slash achieves $250 million in annual recurring revenue and launches Twin, an AI private banker, amidst growing adoption of stablecoins in B2B payments. The long-term implication is a potential shift in business banking practices as stablecoin integration becomes more mainstream, particularly benefiting companies in the MENA region.
6 sourcesApr 18High
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Hits 10-Week High of $77,027 Driven by ETF Inflows and Eased Geopolitical Tensions
On April 17, 2026, Bitcoin reached a new 10-week price high of $77,027 on the Bitstamp exchange. This surge was triggered by declining geopolitical tensions, particularly a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, alongside reduced macroeconomic volatility and significant ETF inflows. Analysts predict that this momentum could push Bitcoin's price to between $85,000 and $88,000 in the coming weeks, indicating a sustained bullish sentiment in the cryptocurrency market.
4 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
French Finance Minister Supports Euro-Pegged Stablecoins to Challenge U.S. Market Dominance
On April 17, 2026, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure endorsed euro-pegged stablecoins during a crypto conference in Paris. This shift is driven by the low volume of euro stablecoins compared to dollar-pegged alternatives, prompting European banks to form the Qivalis consortium to launch a euro stablecoin under the EU's MiCA framework. The long-term implication is a potential reduction in Europe's reliance on U.S. stablecoins, fostering a more competitive digital payments landscape in the region.
3 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Surges to $78,348 as Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Foreign Minister announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, leading to Bitcoin reaching an intraday high of $78,348. This development follows a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, easing geopolitical tensions and energy supply concerns. The long-term implication may involve a shift in global energy dynamics and increased volatility in cryptocurrency markets as geopolitical factors continue to influence investor sentiment.
8 sourcesApr 18High
- Crypto· World
Circle Internet Financial Sued for Negligence Over Stolen USDC Following Major DeFi Exploit
Circle Internet Financial is facing a class action lawsuit filed on April 14, 2026, for allegedly failing to freeze $230 million in stolen USDC after the Drift Protocol exploit on April 1, 2026. The lawsuit was triggered by claims that Circle allowed attackers, reportedly linked to North Korea, to launder funds despite having the technical capability to intervene. This incident raises significant concerns about the responsibilities of stablecoin issuers and may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny in the DeFi space.
5 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Breaks Above $77,000 as MicroStrategy Shares Surge 12%
On April 17, 2026, Bitcoin surpassed its 100-day moving average, reaching a high of $77,377 after a ten-week consolidation. This breakout was triggered by the absorption of $450 million in sell orders and a significant short covering, alongside a 12% rise in MicroStrategy shares due to its substantial BTC treasury gains. The long-term implication suggests a potential rally towards the next resistance level of $80,000 as market dynamics shift towards bullish sentiment.
4 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Payward to Acquire Bitnomial for Up to $550 Million Enhancing US Crypto Derivatives Infrastructure
On April 17, 2026, Payward, Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire Bitnomial, the first US crypto-native firm with all three CFTC licenses. This acquisition is driven by the need to integrate Bitnomial's established infrastructure into Payward's platforms amid evolving US regulatory frameworks favoring CFTC oversight for digital assets. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for Payward in the US crypto derivatives market, potentially accelerating its IPO prospects and product offerings.
5 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
DoubleZero Foundation Launches Edge Beta Platform for Low-Latency Solana Data Delivery
DoubleZero Foundation launched the Edge public beta on April 16, 2026, providing a new infrastructure for delivering Solana blockchain data with significantly reduced latency. This initiative is driven by the need for reliable, low-latency data distribution to support high-frequency trading as Solana evolves towards faster transaction finality. The long-term implication is an enhanced competitive landscape for traders on the Solana network, potentially increasing market participation and profitability.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· World
U.S. Venture Capital Hits Record $267 Billion in Q1 2026 with Focus on AI
Venture capital dealmaking in the U.S. reached a record $267 billion in the first quarter of 2026, predominantly allocated to AI companies. This surge is driven by renewed investor enthusiasm for AI advancements following a recovery from the downturn experienced post-2022. The long-term implication suggests a continued concentration of capital in AI, potentially leading to further megadeals and a reshaping of the tech landscape.
4 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
X Money Payments Platform Launches Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
X Money, a new digital payments platform, has launched early public access as of April 2026, announced by Elon Musk. The launch is prompted by the platform's potential to disrupt fintech and digital payments, despite concerns raised by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren regarding consumer protection and financial stability. This development may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and competitive pressures on existing fintech players like PayPal as the market adapts to new digital payment solutions.
3 sourcesApr 18Low