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- Business· World
Slash Raises $100 Million in Series C Funding at $1.4 Billion Valuation
On April 16, 2026, Slash, a fintech startup, secured $100 million in Series C funding, achieving a valuation of $1.4 billion. This funding round was triggered by the company's profitable operations and impressive annualized revenue of $300 million, attracting significant investment from notable venture capital firms. The long-term implication suggests that Slash may strengthen its competitive position against established players in the corporate banking sector, potentially leading to further market consolidation and innovation in fintech services.
4 sourcesApr 17High
- Business· World
Upscale AI in Talks for $200 Million Funding Round at $2 Billion Valuation
Upscale AI has initiated discussions to raise between $180 million and $200 million in its third funding round, aiming for a valuation of $2 billion. This move comes amid a surge in demand for scalable AI hardware infrastructure, following two previous successful funding rounds within seven months. The long-term implication suggests a growing trend of investment in AI networking solutions, potentially reshaping the landscape of AI infrastructure development.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange Faces Extortion Attempt After Insider Data Breaches
Kraken has disclosed an ongoing extortion attempt following two incidents of unauthorized access by malicious support staff to client data systems. The immediate trigger for this situation is the refusal to meet extortion demands after the company identified and revoked access from the involved insiders. In the long term, this incident may prompt increased scrutiny and regulatory measures within the cryptocurrency industry regarding insider threats and data security protocols.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Nikita Bier Proposes Initiative to Address Cryptocurrency Market Decline
On April 14, 2026, Nikita Bier, Head of Product at X, suggested launching a product to mitigate the ongoing downturn in the cryptocurrency market. This proposal comes as Bitcoin has experienced a 15% decline year-to-date, prompting speculation about potential integrations with X Money, X's upcoming payments service. If successful, this initiative could reshape the landscape of cryptocurrency transactions and bolster X's position in the financial services sector.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Tether Launches Self-Custodial Wallet to Enhance Financial Inclusion
Tether has launched its self-custodial tether.wallet, allowing users to manage Bitcoin, stablecoins, and gold tokens directly. This launch is driven by the need for accessible digital asset management amid a growing unbanked population and failures of centralized custody solutions. The long-term implication is a potential shift towards greater financial autonomy and inclusion for millions globally, particularly in regions with limited banking access.
5 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Blockaid Identifies CoW Swap Frontend as Malicious Following DNS Hijacking Incident
On April 14, 2026, Blockaid flagged the CoW Swap decentralized exchange frontend as malicious due to a DNS hijacking attack that redirected users to a phishing site. The attack was triggered by social engineering tactics employed against the domain registrar, allowing attackers to gain control of the domain. This incident underscores the ongoing vulnerabilities in decentralized finance platforms and may prompt increased scrutiny and security measures within the DeFi sector.
5 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Paxos Labs secures $12 million funding and launches Amplify platform for onchain finance
Paxos Labs has raised $12 million in funding and launched the Amplify platform, which integrates yield generation, crypto-backed borrowing, and stablecoin issuance. This development comes amid increasing demand for embedded digital asset services and regulatory clarity in the U.S. The long-term implication is the potential for Paxos to become a key player in the onchain finance sector, facilitating broader adoption of digital asset services across various platforms.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Ethereum Foundation Initiates $1 Million Audit Subsidy Program for Mainnet Builders
On April 14, 2026, the Ethereum Foundation launched a $1 million audit subsidy program aimed at supporting Ethereum mainnet builders. This initiative is triggered by the need to enhance security practices amid rising vulnerabilities and costs associated with smart contract audits. In the long term, this program is expected to strengthen the Ethereum ecosystem by making security audits more accessible and promoting best practices among developers.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Solana and XRP ETFs See Limited Inflows Amid Bitcoin and Ethereum Volatility
During the week of April 6–13, 2026, Solana and XRP ETFs recorded net inflows of $11.69 million and $13.8 million, significantly lower than the fluctuating inflows of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. This trend is driven by investor preference for established cryptocurrencies amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting market stability. In the long term, this may lead to a continued focus on blue-chip assets over altcoins, impacting the growth potential of newer cryptocurrencies in the market.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
J. Christopher Giancarlo Leaves Law Practice to Focus on Fintech and Digital Assets Advisory
On April 13, 2026, former CFTC Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo announced his transition from senior counsel at Willkie Farr & Gallagher to full-time advisory roles in fintech and digital assets. This shift follows his extensive experience in the digital asset space and aligns with a growing trend of former regulators moving into private sector advisory roles. Giancarlo's move is likely to enhance the regulatory landscape for digital assets, particularly as he continues to support initiatives like the Digital Dollar Project.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Counterfeit Ledger Live App on Apple Mac App Store Leads to $9.5 Million Cryptocurrency Theft
A fraudulent Ledger Live application on the Apple Mac App Store enabled the theft of approximately $9.5 million in cryptocurrency from over 50 users between April 7 and 13, 2026. The immediate trigger for this incident was the malicious app's ability to extract wallet recovery seed phrases, allowing attackers to drain funds across multiple blockchains. This event underscores the ongoing vulnerabilities in app distribution platforms and may prompt increased scrutiny and regulatory measures for app vetting processes in the tech industry.
6 sourcesApr 17High
- Crypto· World
Kraken Confirms Confidential U.S. IPO Filing at Semafor World Economy 2026 Summit
On April 14, 2026, Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi confirmed the cryptocurrency exchange's confidential filing for a U.S. initial public offering during the Semafor World Economy 2026 conference. This confirmation follows a period of market volatility that had previously led to a pause in the IPO process, highlighting Kraken's strategic focus on long-term growth and regulatory compliance. The move signals a potential shift in the cryptocurrency market as Kraken aims to bridge traditional finance with digital assets, paving the way for increased institutional participation in the sector.
6 sourcesApr 17Moderate
- Crypto· MENA
Rakuten Wallet Launches XRP Spot Trading for 44 Million Users in Japan
On April 7, 2026, Rakuten Wallet announced the integration of XRP spot trading, set to launch on April 15, enabling 44 million Rakuten Pay users to purchase XRP using Rakuten Points. This move is driven by Japan's progressive cryptocurrency regulations and the need to enhance user engagement within Rakuten's extensive e-commerce ecosystem. The long-term implication is a potential increase in cryptocurrency adoption for everyday transactions in Japan, further bridging the gap between digital assets and mainstream commerce.
4 sourcesApr 17Moderate
- Crypto· World
Coinone Fined 5.2 Billion Won for Anti-Money Laundering Violations
On April 13, 2026, South Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit fined Coinone 5.2 billion won and imposed a three-month partial business suspension for anti-money laundering breaches. This action follows the identification of significant lapses in customer identity verification and unauthorized transactions with foreign exchanges. The long-term implication is a continued tightening of regulatory scrutiny on cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea, potentially leading to further compliance challenges for the industry.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
eToro to Acquire Zengo for $70 Million to Enhance Self-Custodial Crypto Solutions
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 technology to meet the growing demand for decentralized finance solutions. The long-term implication is that eToro aims to solidify its position in the crypto market by enhancing its offerings in self-custody and decentralized trading products.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
X Launches Smart Cashtags for Real-Time Crypto and Stock Tracking
X has introduced Smart Cashtags, enabling real-time tracking of stocks and cryptocurrencies for iPhone users in the US and Canada. This rollout is part of a pilot partnership with Wealthsimple, allowing seamless trading access for Canadian users. The long-term implication is X's positioning as a central hub for financial services, aligning with Elon Musk's vision of an integrated financial platform.
6 sourcesApr 17Moderate
- Crypto· World
Virginia Enacts Law for In-Kind Transfer of Unclaimed Digital Assets
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed House Bill 798 into law, mandating the transfer of dormant digital assets to the state after five years of inactivity. This legislative change is driven by the need to address the volatility of cryptocurrencies and protect asset value for owners. The long-term implication is a potential shift in how unclaimed digital assets are managed across the U.S., influencing similar legislative efforts in other states.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
ETH/BTC Ratio Hits Three-Month High as Ethereum Surges
The ETH/BTC ratio reached 0.0313 on April 15, 2026, marking its highest level since January. This surge is driven by Ethereum's record network activity and a significant increase in new users, alongside a stablecoin supply reaching an all-time high. The long-term implication suggests a potential shift in market dynamics favoring Ethereum, with analysts watching for a close above 0.035 to confirm this trend.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Bitmine Immersion Technologies Reports $3.82 Billion Net Loss Amid Ethereum Price Decline
Bitmine Immersion Technologies has reported a net loss of $3.82 billion for the quarter ending February 28, 2026, primarily due to $3.78 billion in unrealized impairments on its digital asset holdings. This significant loss is attributed to a recent decline in Ethereum prices, which has impacted the company's balance sheet following its pivot to an Ethereum treasury strategy. In the long term, the company is expected to continue its accumulation of Ethereum, despite the volatility, as it seeks to stabilize its operations and revenue through staking.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Tether Increases Bitcoin Reserves by $70 Million to 97,141 BTC
On April 15, 2026, Tether transferred 951 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $70 million, to its reserve wallet, raising its total holdings to 97,141 BTC. This move is part of Tether's ongoing strategy to diversify its reserves, allocating a portion of its profits to Bitcoin purchases since May 2023. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for Tether in the cryptocurrency market, potentially enhancing the stability of its USDT stablecoin amid growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin.
5 sourcesApr 17Moderate