
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
8370 stories- Business· World
Amazon Acquires DuckLabs to Enhance AWS Analytics Capabilities
Amazon has announced the acquisition of Amsterdam-based DuckLabs, known for its open-source analytical database DuckDB, with the deal expected to close in early September 2026. This acquisition follows a collaboration between Amazon Web Services and DuckLabs that began in 2024, aimed at improving AWS's analytics offerings. The long-term implication is the potential expansion of DuckDB's ecosystem and support under AWS, while maintaining its open-source status.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Crypto· World
SEC Proposes Amendments to Crypto Custody Rules for Review by White House
On August 25, 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission submitted proposed amendments to its custody rules to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for review. This initiative follows the withdrawal of a previous proposal under former Chair Gary Gensler and aims to modernize custody requirements for digital assets amid evolving market conditions. The long-term implication could be a more permissive regulatory framework for crypto custody, potentially influencing global standards for institutional adoption of digital assets.
5 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Crypto· World
Avici Neobank Loses Over $500K in Smart Contract Exploit
On August 28, 2026, Avici, a Solana-based neobank, suffered a smart contract exploit that drained approximately $500,859 from the card balances of 1,685 users. The incident was triggered by a vulnerability in an outdated version of a contract operated by its card-issuing partner Rain, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access. This exploit raises concerns about the security of smart contracts in decentralized finance, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and regulatory measures in the crypto industry.
4 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Economy· World
Wall Street Indexes Decline Ahead of Nvidia Earnings Following Inflation Data
Wall Street indexes closed modestly lower on August 26, 2026, as investors reacted to a hotter-than-expected inflation reading of 3.7 percent. This cautious trading environment was compounded by anticipation of Nvidia's quarterly earnings report, which ultimately exceeded expectations. The long-term implication suggests a continued focus on inflation trends and corporate earnings as key drivers of market sentiment and investment strategies.
3 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Business· World
Salesforce Shares Rise 22.6% Following Strong Q2 Earnings and Anthropic Partnership
Salesforce shares surged 22.6% on August 27, 2026, marking a significant stock market reaction to the company's fiscal Q2 earnings that exceeded expectations and the announcement of an expanded partnership with Anthropic. This surge was triggered by a $2.6 billion mark-to-market gain from Salesforce's investment in Anthropic and the integration of AI capabilities into its products. The long-term implication suggests a potential shift in the enterprise software landscape as AI becomes increasingly embedded in business operations, alleviating investor concerns over traditional SaaS models.
3 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Economy· World
US GDP Growth Slows to 1.5% Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Rising Imports
The U.S. economy's annualized GDP growth rate decelerated to 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 2.1% in the previous quarter. This slowdown is attributed to a surge in imports and the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, which has disrupted energy markets and contributed to inflation. Long-term implications may include heightened economic scrutiny during the upcoming midterm elections and potential shifts in fiscal policy to address inflationary pressures.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· World
Gold Prices Drop 3% Following Hawkish Fed Chair Speech at Jackson Hole
Gold prices fell approximately 3% on August 28, 2026, after Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's hawkish remarks at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium. The decline was triggered by Warsh's emphasis on persistent inflation and the likelihood of a September interest rate hike, raising market expectations significantly. This shift indicates a potential tightening of monetary policy that could further impact commodity markets and investor sentiment in the long term.
3 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Economy· World
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Increased Likelihood of September Rate Hike
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh delivered a hawkish address at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, indicating a heightened probability of a September interest rate hike to around 60 percent. This shift is driven by persistent inflation rates exceeding the Fed's 2 percent target, prompting market adjustments in response to Warsh's remarks. In the long term, this could lead to tighter monetary policy and increased scrutiny on financial markets as the Fed seeks to stabilize prices amid ongoing economic challenges.
12 sourcesSep 4High
- Business· World
AI Startups Lead U.S. Venture Funding Amid Smaller Deal Sizes
In the week of August 22-28, 2026, AI-focused startups dominated U.S. venture funding, with Instinct raising $250 million as the largest round. This surge in funding is driven by sustained investor interest in artificial intelligence applications, despite a general moderation in deal sizes compared to earlier in the year. The trend indicates a maturing AI sector, likely leading to increased competition and innovation in AI tools and assistants moving forward.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Business· World
Stripe and Advent International End $53 Billion Bid for PayPal
Stripe and Advent International have abandoned their joint bid to acquire PayPal Holdings Inc., following the board's rejection of a $60.50-per-share offer. The decision comes amid valuation disagreements and regulatory hurdles that have plagued the negotiations since early 2026. This development leaves PayPal to focus on its independent turnaround strategy under new CEO Enrique Lores, potentially reshaping its competitive landscape in the fintech sector.
9 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Crypto· World
Divergence in Bitcoin Price Predictions Between Wall Street and Prediction Markets
On August 26, 2026, Bitcoin's price predictions from Wall Street analysts and prediction markets showed significant divergence, with Bitcoin trading above $75,000. This discrepancy arises as Wall Street remains optimistic about institutional adoption and ETF inflows, while prediction markets reflect caution amid regulatory uncertainties. The long-term implication suggests that ongoing volatility and differing sentiment could lead to increased market speculation and hedging strategies in the cryptocurrency sector.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· UAE
Dubai Leads Global Rankings in Cultural and Creative Industries FDI for Fourth Year
Dubai has retained its position as the top global destination for greenfield foreign direct investment projects in cultural and creative industries, attracting 754 projects in 2025. This achievement is driven by the emirate's strategic initiatives and supportive policies that enhance its appeal as a hub for digital content and creative technology. The long-term implication is a continued diversification of Dubai's economy into high-value sectors, bolstering job creation and capital inflows.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· World
Brent Crude Prices Decline to $87.24 Amid Iran-Oman Diplomatic Progress
On August 27, 2026, Brent crude futures fell 0.7% to $87.24 per barrel, continuing a multi-day decline. This drop is attributed to easing supply concerns following diplomatic talks between Iran and Oman regarding navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz. Long-term, this may lead to increased crude flows from the Middle East, impacting global oil market dynamics and pricing strategies.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· World
Gold Prices Plummet Following Hawkish Remarks from Federal Reserve Chair
On August 28, 2026, gold prices experienced their sharpest decline since July, dropping over 3% after Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's hawkish comments on inflation. This shift was triggered by Warsh's reaffirmation of the Fed's commitment to a 2% inflation target, which strengthened the U.S. dollar and led to a sell-off in gold. In the long term, this could signal continued pressure on gold prices as markets adjust to higher interest rate expectations and a stronger dollar.
3 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Business· UAE
Air Arabia Launches Daily Flights from Sharjah to Düsseldorf
Air Arabia announced the launch of daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and Düsseldorf, set to begin on December 16, 2026. This expansion is driven by increasing demand for affordable travel options between the UAE and Germany, following the recent addition of Frankfurt and Munich routes. The move is expected to enhance tourism and trade ties, further solidifying Air Arabia's presence in the European market.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· World
Canada Implements Counter-Tariffs on U.S. Goods in Response to American Duties
Canada has expanded its counter-tariff list to include additional U.S. goods, matching American tariffs dollar-for-dollar. This move follows the recent imposition of 50 percent tariffs by the U.S. on $27.6 billion worth of Canadian imports, prompting Canada to respond in kind. The long-term implication is a potential escalation in trade tensions between the two countries, affecting bilateral trade relations and domestic industries.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Crypto· World
Solana Validators Approve Proposal to Double Annual Disinflation Rate
On August 28, 2026, Solana validators approved proposal SGP-0002 to double the network's annual disinflation rate from 15% to 30%. This decision was influenced by ongoing discussions about the network's inflation strategy and the need to adapt to increasing transaction volumes and ETF inflows. The long-term implication is a significant reduction in SOL issuance, which may impact staking yields and the overall market dynamics for SOL holders.
4 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Crypto· World
Grayscale Launches Zcash ETF Amid Surge in Privacy Demand
Grayscale has launched the first U.S. spot Zcash ETF, ZCSH, as Zcash's shielded transaction usage reaches 90% and market capitalization doubles. This move is driven by increasing institutional interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies in response to rising AI-driven financial surveillance. The long-term implication is a potential shift in market dynamics, allowing Zcash to capture a share of Bitcoin's market dominance as privacy becomes a key investment criterion.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Crypto· World
Bullish Launches $100 Million Stablecoin Debt Facility for GPU-Backed AI Loans
Bullish has announced a $100 million stablecoin debt facility to USD.AI to support GPU-backed AI infrastructure loans. This move is driven by the increasing demand for private credit in the AI sector, particularly for high-performance GPUs. The long-term implication is the potential for enhanced liquidity and market-making in the tokenized private credit space, further integrating crypto with traditional asset financing.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Falls Below $80,000 After Fed Chair's Hawkish Inflation Comments
Bitcoin dipped below $80,000 on August 28, 2026, following hawkish remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh regarding persistent inflation during his speech at Jackson Hole. The comments, highlighting a year-over-year PCE inflation rate of 3.7%, triggered a selloff in Bitcoin and other risk assets, leading to approximately $488 million in liquidations. This event raises concerns about future rate hikes and suggests a potential shift in market sentiment towards risk assets as inflation remains a critical issue for the Fed.
5 sourcesSep 4Moderate