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
4399 stories- Economy· MENA
Saudi PIF Board Approves 2026-2030 Investment Strategy Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
On April 15, 2026, the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund approved its 2026-2030 investment strategy. This strategic shift is driven by the need to transition from growth and expansion to sustainable value creation, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The long-term implication is a strengthened domestic economic ecosystem that enhances private sector participation and positions Saudi Arabia as a global investment leader.
8 sourcesApr 16High
- Economy· World
Oil Prices Stabilize Near $90 per Barrel Amid US-Iran Diplomatic Signals
Oil prices have stabilized near $90 per barrel as of April 16, 2026, reflecting market reactions to diplomatic signals indicating a potential de-escalation between the United States and Iran. This shift is occurring now due to optimism from the White House regarding a peace agreement and the possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, despite ongoing supply disruptions. Long-term, this could lead to increased stability in global oil markets and a reduction in economic pressure on Iran if negotiations succeed.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Economy· World
Spot Gold Price Reaches 4830.66 USD per Ounce Amid Weak Dollar and U.S.-Iran Peace Talks
Spot gold prices surged to 4830.66 USD per ounce on April 16, 2026, reflecting a significant rise in the global commodities market. This increase was triggered by a weakening U.S. dollar and growing optimism regarding potential U.S.-Iran negotiations aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts. Long-term, this trend may indicate a sustained demand for safe-haven assets as geopolitical tensions continue to influence market dynamics.
7 sourcesApr 16Low
- Economy· UAE
Dubai 22K Gold Price Rises to Dh539.25 Amid Renewed Iran War Tensions
Dubai's 22K gold price surged Dh4 to Dh539.25 per gram on April 16, 2026. This increase is driven by investor caution over the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, which has reignited safe-haven demand for gold. Long-term implications suggest continued volatility in gold prices as geopolitical tensions persist and influence market dynamics.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Economy· World
IEA Warns Current Oil Prices Underestimate Impact of Iran War Supply Disruptions
On April 14, 2026, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that current oil prices do not reflect the severe supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran war. This assessment comes as the IEA revises global oil demand forecasts downward, predicting a contraction of 80,000 barrels per day due to the conflict's unprecedented impact. The long-term implication suggests that continued instability in the region could lead to sustained high oil prices and economic repercussions globally.
4 sourcesApr 16High
- Business· World
FluidStack Negotiates $1 Billion Funding at $18 Billion Valuation
FluidStack is currently in advanced discussions to secure approximately $1 billion in funding, targeting an $18 billion valuation. This development follows a significant $50 billion partnership with Anthropic and reflects the growing demand for AI-optimized compute infrastructure amid GPU shortages. If successful, this funding round could further solidify FluidStack's position in the rapidly evolving AI infrastructure market.
4 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· MENA
Glydways Raises $170 Million for Autonomous Pod Network Pilots in US and UAE
Glydways has secured $170 million in an oversubscribed Series C funding round to launch autonomous electric pod pilots in the United States and the United Arab Emirates. This funding comes as urban transit challenges intensify, prompting investors to back innovative solutions for efficient mobility. The successful pilot launches in 2026 are expected to pave the way for large-scale operations in 2027, potentially transforming urban transportation systems.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
Accel Raises $5 Billion Fund for Late-Stage AI Investments
Accel has closed a $5 billion fund aimed at late-stage artificial intelligence companies, marking a significant shift in venture capital focus. This move is triggered by record venture capital deployments of $297 billion in Q1 2026, reflecting a strong consensus on AI as a dominant technology platform. The long-term implication is an intensified competition for late-stage AI investments, potentially reshaping the landscape of technology funding and innovation.
4 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
Ethereum Hyperbridge Exploit Results in 1 Billion Fake DOT Tokens Minted
An attacker exploited a verification flaw in Hyperbridge's Token Gateway contract on Ethereum, minting approximately 1 billion bridged DOT tokens valued at over $1 billion. This incident was triggered by incomplete input validation in the Merkle Mountain Range proof verifier, allowing forged proofs to bypass security checks. The long-term implication is increased scrutiny on cross-chain proof architectures and potential regulatory responses to enhance security measures in the crypto space.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
Bank of Korea Proposes Circuit Breakers for Cryptocurrency Exchanges After Bithumb Incident
On April 13, 2026, the Bank of Korea recommended implementing stock market-style circuit breakers for cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea to prevent sudden market breakdowns. This proposal follows a significant operational failure at Bithumb in February 2026, where an employee mistakenly distributed a massive amount of Bitcoin, leading to a 17% price drop and panic selling. The long-term implication may involve increased regulatory scrutiny and operational reforms in the cryptocurrency sector to align with traditional financial safeguards.
4 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
Bitmine Immersion Technologies Increases Ethereum Holdings to Nearly 5% of Supply
Bitmine Immersion Technologies has acquired 71,524 ETH, raising its total holdings to 4.87 million ETH, which is approximately 4.04% of the total Ethereum supply. This strategic accumulation is driven by the company's goal to reach 5% of the global Ether supply amid rising demand for tokenization and AI blockchain integration. In the long term, this positions Bitmine as a significant player in the Ethereum market, potentially influencing pricing and staking dynamics.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
StarkWare Announces Workforce Reductions and Strategic Shift to Revenue-Generating Products
StarkWare has initiated a workforce downsizing and organizational restructuring to focus on revenue-generating products. This shift is prompted by a dramatic 99% decline in Starknet revenue, necessitating a pivot from infrastructure development to monetizable applications. The long-term implication is a potential realignment of the company's market strategy, aiming for improved product-market fit in a competitive landscape.
4 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
RAVE Token Surges 4,500% Leading to $43.25 Million in Futures Liquidations
On April 14, 2026, RAVE token experienced a dramatic 4,500% price increase, resulting in $43.25 million in futures liquidations, ranking third globally behind Bitcoin and Ether. This surge was triggered by a short squeeze amid concentrated ownership and speculative trading across major exchanges. The long-term implication suggests increased scrutiny and potential regulatory responses towards illiquid and manipulated crypto assets as market volatility persists.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
Tether launches self-custodial wallet enabling direct access to digital assets
On April 14, 2026, Tether launched its self-custodial tether.wallet, allowing users to manage Bitcoin, USDT, USAT, and XAUT directly. This launch is driven by a growing demand for user control over digital assets and the need for financial inclusion in emerging markets. The long-term implication is a potential shift towards decentralized finance, reducing reliance on traditional financial intermediaries and enhancing accessibility for underserved populations.
5 sourcesApr 16Moderate
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Reaches $76,120 Amid Geopolitical Optimism Leading to $500 Million in Short Liquidations
On April 14, 2026, Bitcoin surged to a peak of $76,120, vaporizing over $500 million in short positions across cryptocurrency markets. This rally was triggered by hopes of U.S.-Iran diplomatic progress and softer U.S. inflation data, shifting market sentiment towards risk-on. The long-term implication suggests a potential stabilization of cryptocurrency markets as geopolitical tensions evolve and investors reassess risk exposure.
5 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
X Product Head Proposes Initiative to Address Cryptocurrency Market Decline
On April 14, 2026, Nikita Bier, head of product at X, proposed launching a new initiative to address the ongoing slump in the cryptocurrency market. This suggestion comes as Bitcoin has experienced a 15% decline year-to-date, prompting speculation about potential integrations with X Money or enhancements to the newly launched Cashtags feature. The long-term implication could position X as a central hub for financial services and cryptocurrency data, enhancing its competitive edge in the evolving digital finance landscape.
3 sourcesApr 16Very High
- Crypto· World
Blockaid Identifies CoW Swap Frontend as Malicious Following DNS Hijacking Attack
Blockaid flagged the frontend site of CoW Swap as malicious due to a DNS hijacking attack that occurred on April 14, 2026. The immediate response involved CoW DAO warning users and pausing backend operations to mitigate phishing risks. This incident underscores the growing vulnerability of decentralized finance platforms to front-end exploits, prompting discussions on enhanced security measures like DNSSEC adoption.
5 sourcesApr 16Moderate
- Crypto· World
Paxos Labs raises $12 million to launch Amplify platform for onchain finance
On April 14, 2026, Paxos Labs secured $12 million in a strategic funding round and launched the Amplify platform for onchain financial products. This initiative is driven by the need to activate approximately $320 billion in stagnant digital asset balances, enabling fintech and crypto enterprises to leverage idle assets. The long-term implication is a potential shift in how digital assets are utilized in financial services, enhancing liquidity and lending options in the market.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
Ethereum Foundation Launches $1 Million Audit Subsidy Program for Mainnet Builders
On April 14, 2026, the Ethereum Foundation announced the Ethereum Audit Subsidy Program, allocating $1 million to subsidize security audits for Ethereum mainnet builders. This initiative is part of the Trillion Dollar Security effort aimed at reducing financial barriers for projects adhering to CROPS principles. The long-term implication is an enhanced security framework for the Ethereum ecosystem, potentially leading to increased developer participation and innovation in blockchain applications.
3 sourcesApr 16Moderate
- Crypto· World
Hyperliquid HYPE Token Surges to Five-Month High Amid Oil Trading Boom
On April 14, 2026, Hyperliquid's HYPE token reached $45, marking its highest value in five months. This surge was triggered by a significant increase in trading volumes for oil perpetual contracts, driven by geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and Iran. The long-term implication suggests that the Hyperliquid platform may solidify its position as a leading decentralized exchange for commodities, attracting more traders seeking 24/7 access to markets during traditional trading hours.
4 sourcesApr 16Low