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
8632 stories- Economy· MENA
Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company acquires 3 billion Riyal mortgage portfolio from Al Rajhi Bank
The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company has signed an agreement to purchase a residential mortgage portfolio valued at 3 billion Saudi Riyals from Al Rajhi Bank. This move is aimed at enhancing liquidity in the housing finance market and providing flexible financing solutions for Saudi families. The long-term implication is a potential increase in investments in the housing sector, improving access to home financing for many families in Saudi Arabia.
3 sourcesMay 1Low
- Business· UAE
DEWA Sets World Record for Lowest Electricity Customer Minutes Lost
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has achieved a new world record by reducing electricity customer minutes lost to just 0.82 minutes per year. This milestone is attributed to DEWA's investment in advanced technologies and smart grid systems, reflecting a commitment to service reliability. The long-term implication is that this achievement positions Dubai as a leader in utility service reliability, potentially attracting further investment and enhancing urban development initiatives.
3 sourcesMay 1Low
- Business· UAE
Dubai Islamic Bank and Aldar Properties Report Strong Q1 2026 Financial Results
Dubai Islamic Bank and Aldar Properties announced robust financial results for the first quarter of 2026, with DIB achieving a pre-tax profit of Dh2.1 billion and Aldar reporting a net profit of Dh2.3 billion. This positive performance is attributed to increased revenues and strong market positions in the UAE's financial and real estate sectors. The results indicate a resilient economic environment in the UAE, suggesting potential for continued growth in these industries.
3 sourcesMay 1Low
- Business· MENA
STC Group reports 12% net profit increase in Q1 2026 driven by revenue growth and strategic initiatives
STC Group announced a 12% increase in net profit for Q1 2026, reflecting strong financial performance with revenues rising to nearly $5.3 billion. This growth is attributed to the company's strategic initiatives, particularly the Silklink project aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure in Syria. As STC continues to invest in telecommunications, it positions itself to capitalize on the growing demand for digital services in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
4 sourcesMay 1Low
- Business· MENA
Saudi Arabia to Host 24th ERRA Conference in 2027
Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the 24th annual conference of the Energy Regulators Regional Association in Riyadh from February 1 to 3, 2027. This decision was announced during the 23rd ERRA conference in Slovakia, reflecting the Kingdom's ambition to enhance its role in the global electricity sector. The long-term implication is that this event may solidify Saudi Arabia's leadership in innovative energy regulation and influence global practices in electricity management.
3 sourcesMay 1Low
- Economy· MENA
Saudi stock market index rises to 11,238.07 points amid strong trading activity
The Saudi stock market index increased by 58.12 points, closing at 11,238.07 points. This rise is attributed to robust trading volumes, with approximately 5.8 billion Riyals exchanged in the market. The positive momentum suggests potential for continued growth in the Saudi market, contingent on broader economic conditions and company performances.
3 sourcesMay 1Low - Crypto· World
Israel approves first shekel-backed stablecoin BILS
Israel has officially approved its first shekel-backed stablecoin, known as BILS, after a two-year review process. This approval is driven by the need to diversify the global stablecoin market and reduce reliance on dollar-pegged tokens. The introduction of BILS may encourage other countries to explore their own digital currencies, potentially reshaping the landscape of cryptocurrency regulation and adoption.
3 sourcesMay 1Low
- Crypto· World
Block enhances Bitcoin commitment with proof-of-reserves and cash back program
Block has announced the launch of a proof-of-reserves system and added 114 BTC to its treasury, bringing its total holdings to nearly 9,000 BTC. This move is driven by the company's strategy to increase transparency and trust in its cryptocurrency operations. In the long term, Block's initiatives may accelerate the adoption of Bitcoin in payment systems and influence other companies in the cryptocurrency space.
3 sourcesMay 1Low - Crypto· World
OKX integrates BlackRock's BUIDL fund for tokenized Treasury collateral
OKX has launched a tokenized Treasury collateral system in partnership with BlackRock and Standard Chartered. This initiative is driven by the need for institutions to enhance trading liquidity and yield opportunities using regulated assets. The long-term implication is an accelerated convergence of traditional finance and cryptocurrency markets, likely leading to increased regulatory scrutiny and innovation in financial products.
5 sourcesMay 1Low
- Crypto· World
Galaxy Digital reports $216 million loss in Q1 2026 amid crypto market decline
Galaxy Digital has announced a net loss of $216 million for Q1 2026, reflecting the broader 20% decline in the cryptocurrency market. This downturn is attributed to ongoing volatility and market challenges that have impacted crypto firms significantly. In response, Galaxy Digital is focusing on strategic adjustments and new revenue streams, such as its Helios data center project, to navigate future market uncertainties.
4 sourcesMay 1Low
- Crypto· World
ZetaChain suffers $334,000 security breach linked to ignored vulnerability
ZetaChain experienced a significant security breach resulting in a loss of $334,000 due to a previously reported vulnerability that was dismissed. The incident has prompted the company to pause cross-chain transactions and initiate an internal review to address security shortcomings. This breach highlights the critical need for cryptocurrency platforms to prioritize vulnerability management to protect user funds in the future.
3 sourcesMay 1Low - Crypto· World
Pump.fun implements $370 million token burn and buyback strategy to stabilize PUMP value
Pump.fun has burned approximately $370 million in PUMP tokens and will allocate half of its revenue to buybacks over the next year. This strategic shift comes in response to investor concerns regarding the token's value and follows a previous policy of exclusively burning tokens. The dual approach of burning and buybacks is expected to stabilize the market and potentially attract more investors in the long term.
3 sourcesMay 1Low
- Crypto· World
XRP ETF inflows surge to $81.63 million in April 2026 reversing previous losses
XRP ETF products recorded $81.63 million in inflows in April 2026, marking the strongest month of the year. This rebound follows a $31.16 million loss in March 2026, driven by increasing institutional demand for cryptocurrency assets. If current trends continue, XRP could solidify its position as a leading player in the cryptocurrency market, potentially reaching a price of $2.15.
3 sourcesMay 1Low - Business· World
Rogo secures $160 million in Series D funding to enhance AI solutions for finance
Rogo has raised $160 million in a Series D funding round, achieving a valuation of $2 billion. This funding is driven by the increasing demand for AI-driven workflow solutions in the finance sector, particularly to support junior bankers. The long-term implication is that Rogo's growth may accelerate the adoption of AI technologies across banking and asset management industries.
3 sourcesMay 1Moderate - Crypto· World
Bitmine Immersion Technologies acquires over 65,000 ETH in a single day
Bitmine Immersion Technologies has rapidly increased its Ethereum holdings, now owning over 5 million tokens. This aggressive accumulation is driven by the company's strategy to capture 5% of the total Ethereum supply despite facing significant unrealized losses. The long-term implication may lead to a shift in corporate treasury strategies, encouraging more institutional investment in cryptocurrencies.
5 sourcesMay 1Moderate - Crypto· World
Michael Saylor's Strategy Firm Drives Bitcoin Rally with Aggressive Purchases
Michael Saylor's firm, Strategy, has significantly influenced Bitcoin's price rally through consistent buying over the past 48 hours. This surge is occurring now due to the firm's strategic issuance of STRC, which analysts believe could position it as the largest Bitcoin holder, surpassing Satoshi Nakamoto within two years. The long-term implication is a potential shift in Bitcoin market dynamics, leading to increased volatility and regulatory scrutiny in the cryptocurrency space.
3 sourcesMay 1High
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin price retraces to $77,000 amid market caution before FOMC meeting
Bitcoin's price has dropped to approximately $77,000 as investors exercise caution ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's upcoming decision. This shift is driven by the anticipation of one of the most hawkish FOMC meetings in years, alongside rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions. The long-term implication could see Bitcoin's volatility increase significantly depending on the FOMC's outcomes and ongoing global developments.
4 sourcesMay 1Low - Crypto· World
Ethereum price drops below critical support level of $2,220
Ethereum's price has fallen below $2,300, continuing a downtrend that has persisted for four days. This decline is driven by bearish market sentiment and technical indicators showing weakness in momentum. If Ethereum fails to hold above $2,250, it may face further significant losses in the near future.
4 sourcesMay 1Low - Crypto· World
KelpDAO allocates 2,000 ETH for recovery fund after $293 million exploit impacting rsETH holders
KelpDAO has committed 2,000 ETH to a recovery fund for rsETH holders following a significant exploit that resulted in a loss of approximately $293 million. This incident has raised concerns about vulnerabilities in decentralized finance (DeFi) and prompted a coalition called DeFi United to propose a recovery plan to restore confidence in the affected assets. The recovery efforts may set a precedent for how the DeFi community addresses future vulnerabilities and exploits.
5 sourcesMay 1Low - Crypto· World
White House to Announce U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
The White House is set to announce the establishment of a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve within the next few weeks. This move is triggered by ongoing discussions at the Bitcoin 2026 conference, aiming to enhance institutional confidence in cryptocurrency. The long-term implication is a potential shift in regulatory clarity that could significantly impact Bitcoin's market dynamics and institutional adoption in the U.S.
3 sourcesMay 1Moderate