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- Crypto· World
World Liberty Financial Proposes 10% Token Burn in Governance Restructuring
World Liberty Financial has proposed a 10% burn of its insider WLFI tokens as part of a governance overhaul aimed at addressing low participation rates. This proposal comes in response to ongoing governance challenges stemming from a significant supply overhang of locked tokens. If approved, this move could realign incentives for token holders and potentially stabilize the token's market performance in the long term.
7 sourcesApr 16Very High
- Crypto· World
Foundry Digital captures 29.2% of Zcash network hashrate with new mining pool
Foundry Digital launched the Foundry Zcash Pool, achieving 29.2% of the Zcash network's hashrate within its first month of operation. This shift is driven by institutional demand for compliant mining solutions, reducing ViaBTC's dominance significantly. The long-term implication is a more decentralized Zcash network, potentially attracting further institutional interest and enhancing the cryptocurrency's security and market position.
4 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
Meta Platforms Set to Overtake Google in Global Digital Advertising Revenue by 2026
eMarketer has projected that Meta Platforms will surpass Alphabet's Google in global digital advertising revenue by the end of 2026, achieving $243.46 billion compared to Google's $239.54 billion. This shift is driven by Meta's rapid growth rate of 24.1%, fueled by advancements in AI tools and the expansion of short-form video content. The long-term implication suggests a significant transformation in the digital advertising landscape, with Meta's strategies potentially reshaping market dynamics and challenging Google's longstanding dominance.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
Volkswagen Group Reports 4% Decline in Q1 2026 Vehicle Deliveries Due to Market Weakness
Volkswagen Group announced a 4% year-over-year decline in global vehicle deliveries, totaling 2.05 million units in Q1 2026. This drop is primarily attributed to significant contractions in key markets, particularly a 14.8% decrease in China and a 20.5% decline in the United States, driven by intensified competition and the expiration of electric vehicle subsidies. Looking ahead, Volkswagen anticipates recovery through new model launches and a 3% increase in order intake despite ongoing market pressures.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Economy· MENA
OPEC crude oil production experiences historic drop amid Iran conflict
OPEC's crude oil output fell by 7.88 million barrels per day in March 2026, marking the most severe supply disruption in decades. This decline was triggered by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and aerial attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure amidst the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war. The long-term implication is a potential spike in global oil prices and a reevaluation of energy security strategies among Gulf producers and international markets.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
Strategy Acquires 13,927 Bitcoin for $1 Billion Increasing Holdings to 780,897 BTC
Strategy announced the acquisition of 13,927 Bitcoin for approximately $1 billion, raising its total holdings to 780,897 BTC. This purchase was funded through sales of preferred stock and follows a previous acquisition earlier in April, indicating a resumption of its aggressive Bitcoin treasury strategy. The long-term implication is a continued focus on Bitcoin as a primary reserve asset, potentially influencing market dynamics and institutional interest in cryptocurrency.
7 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
Slate Auto secures $650 million in Series C funding to boost electric pickup production
Slate Auto has completed a $650 million Series C funding round to enhance production capabilities for its electric pickup truck. This funding, led by TWG Global and supported by notable investors like Jeff Bezos, comes as the company prepares for preorders in June 2026 and aims for initial deliveries by late 2026. The successful capital raise indicates strong investor confidence in affordable electric vehicles despite challenges in the U.S. EV market.
4 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
Goldman Sachs Reports Record Q1 2026 Revenues Despite Stock Decline
Goldman Sachs announced net revenues of $17.23 billion for Q1 2026, marking a 14% year-over-year increase driven by strong equities trading and investment banking fees. The immediate stock decline of 3-4% is attributed to weaker performance in fixed income, currencies, and commodities revenues amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the Iran war. Long-term, the firm may need to navigate continued market volatility while capitalizing on its strong client execution and dealmaking outlook.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
Duolingo Reverses AI-Based Employee Performance Evaluation Policy
On April 10, 2026, Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn announced the reversal of a policy that evaluated workers on AI tool usage. This decision was triggered by employee feedback expressing confusion over mandatory AI integration following the company's previous 'AI-first' initiative. The long-term implication is a shift towards prioritizing job performance outcomes over AI metrics, reflecting a broader industry reconsideration of AI's role in workforce evaluation.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Crypto· World
Kraken Reports Insider Access Incidents and Extortion Attempt Affecting 2000 Clients
Kraken disclosed two unauthorized access incidents involving insider threats that impacted approximately 2,000 client accounts. The immediate trigger was the identification of support team members who accessed client data inappropriately, leading to an extortion attempt by a criminal group. In the long term, this incident highlights vulnerabilities in insider security within the cryptocurrency sector and may prompt enhanced regulatory scrutiny and security measures across the industry.
10 sourcesApr 16Low
- Economy· MENA
Pakistan Explores Financing Options to Repay $3.5 Billion UAE Loan Due in April 2026
Pakistan's Finance Minister announced on April 13, 2026, that the government is evaluating Eurobonds and other financing alternatives to repay a $3.5 billion loan from the UAE. This decision comes as the UAE has declined to extend the loan, coinciding with economic pressures from rising oil prices due to regional conflicts. The long-term implication may involve Pakistan seeking more diverse funding sources to stabilize its economy amidst ongoing foreign reserve challenges.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Economy· World
Monetary Authority of Singapore Tightens Monetary Policy in Response to Middle East Energy Crisis
On April 14, 2026, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) tightened monetary policy by increasing the S$NEER appreciation rate. This adjustment is a direct response to rising inflation risks stemming from energy price fluctuations due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. In the long term, this move may lead to further tightening measures if inflationary pressures persist, impacting Singapore's economic growth trajectory.
4 sourcesApr 16Low
- Economy· World
China's Exports Grow 2.5% in March 2026 Amid Iran War Disruptions
China's exports recorded a year-on-year growth of 2.5% in March 2026, significantly lower than expected and a sharp decline from earlier months. This slowdown is attributed to escalating conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the Iran war, which has increased fuel and transportation costs. In the long term, this may lead to further trade disruptions and a reevaluation of China's economic growth forecasts as global demand remains uncertain.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
OpenAI's $852 Billion Valuation Under Investor Scrutiny Amid Strategic Shift to Enterprise
Investors have raised concerns about OpenAI's $852 billion valuation as the company pivots from consumer products to enterprise markets. This scrutiny follows two product roadmap revisions in six months, driven by competitive pressures from Anthropic and Google. The long-term implication may involve a reevaluation of OpenAI's strategic direction and potential shifts in investor confidence ahead of a possible IPO.
4 sourcesApr 16Moderate
- Business· World
European Airlines Call for EU Action to Address Jet Fuel Shortage Amid Iran Conflict
European airlines have urgently requested intervention from the EU to prevent a looming jet fuel crisis caused by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This situation has led to significant disruptions in fuel supplies and a dramatic increase in prices, with warnings of shortages within weeks if not addressed. The long-term implications may include increased operational costs for airlines and potential flight cancellations, impacting the broader aviation industry in Europe.
4 sourcesApr 16Moderate
- Business· World
BP Reports Strong Q1 2026 Oil Trading Results Amid Iran War Disruptions
BP has announced exceptional oil trading performance for Q1 2026, driven by volatility in crude oil and gas markets due to the ongoing Iran war. This surge in trading results is occurring now as the conflict has severely disrupted production and shipping routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. Looking ahead, BP's increased working capital and net debt may signal a strategic pivot towards capitalizing on volatile energy markets amidst geopolitical tensions.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· MENA
Instacart Acquires Instaleap to Expand Global Grocery Technology Platform
On April 14, 2026, Instacart announced its acquisition of Colombia-based grocery technology firm Instaleap to extend its enterprise platform internationally. This strategic move is driven by Instacart's need to enhance its global presence and leverage Instaleap's established fulfillment solutions across multiple regions. The acquisition is expected to empower Instacart to scale its enterprise offerings and improve online grocery fulfillment efficiency for retailers like Lulu Hypermarket in the UAE.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
Dow Inc. Announces Leadership Transition with Karen S. Carter as New CEO
On April 14, 2026, Dow Inc. announced that Karen S. Carter will succeed Jim Fitterling as CEO effective July 1, 2026. This leadership change is part of a planned succession process amid ongoing restructuring efforts and weak industrial demand. The appointment of Dow's first female CEO signals a strategic focus on continuity and operational expertise as the company navigates market challenges.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
BMW Group Reports 3.5% Decline in First-Quarter 2026 Vehicle Deliveries Due to Weak Demand in Key Markets
BMW Group announced a 3.5% decline in global vehicle deliveries for the first quarter of 2026, totaling 565,748 units. This decrease is primarily attributed to a 10% drop in sales in China and a 4.3% decline in the U.S., driven by economic challenges and competitive pressures. Looking ahead, BMW aims to leverage its upcoming Neue Klasse models to regain market momentum amidst ongoing industry challenges.
3 sourcesApr 16Low
- Business· World
BlackRock Reports 46% Increase in Q1 2026 Net Income Driven by Record ETF Inflows
On April 14, 2026, BlackRock Inc. announced a 46% year-over-year increase in first-quarter net income to $2.212 billion, fueled by record ETF inflows and rising investment fees. This surge is attributed to robust market performance and strategic acquisitions, particularly in private markets. The long-term implication suggests continued growth for BlackRock as demand for ETFs and private credit remains strong in a high-interest-rate environment.
4 sourcesApr 16Low